Menopause is a stage that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It is diagnosable after 12 months has passed without a menstrual cycle. Menopause generally happens in the age of 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51. Menopause is a natural process when your ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone impairing, completely restricting the ability to reproduce. However, it can also be caused due to various other reasons.

Symptoms of Menopause

Although the symptoms may vary with every woman, these are the common signs and symptoms of Menopause;

• Hot flashes

• Irregular periods

• Vaginal dryness

• Loss of breast fullness

• Sleep problems

• Chills

• Night sweats

• Thinning hair and dry skin

• Weight gain due to slowed metabolism

• Mood changes, etc.

Causes of menopause

The common causes of menopause are as follows;

• Natural lessening of reproductive hormones. As you reach your late 30s, your ovaries start producing less estrogen and progesterone — the hormones that control menstruation — and your fertility drops. In your 40s, your menstrual periods may become extended or shorter, heavier or lighter, or more or less frequent, until ultimately — on average, by age 51 — your ovaries halt producing eggs, and you have no more periods.

• Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy that separates your uterus but not your ovaries usually don't cause immediate menopause. Although you no longer have periods, your ovaries still produce eggs and create estrogen and progesterone. But surgery that eliminates both your uterus and your ovaries (through total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy) does provoke immediate menopause. Your periods stop instantly, and you're likely to have hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, which can be severe, as these hormonal changes happen abruptly rather than over several years.

• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These cancer therapies can provoke menopause, causing signs such as hot flashes during or shortly after the course of therapy. The end to menstruation (and fertility) is not always permanent following chemotherapy, so birth control measures may still be required.

• Primary ovarian insufficiency. About 1 per cent of women undergo menopause before age 40 (premature menopause). Menopause may occur from primary ovarian insufficiency, a condition when your ovaries fail to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones — arising from genetic factors or autoimmune disease. But usually, no cause could be found. For these women, hormone therapy is generally advised at least until the natural age of menopause to protect the brain, heart and bones.

Complications

Menopause often increases the risk of certain medical conditions such as;

• Cardiovascular disease. When your estrogen levels sink, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the major cause of death in women as well as in men. So it's important to get consistent exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a sound weight. Ask your doctor for guidance on how to protect your heart, such as how to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure if it's too high.

• Osteoporosis. This condition makes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an amplified risk of fractures. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density at an accelerated rate, increasing your chance of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are particularly susceptible to fractures of their spine, hips and wrists.

• Urinary incontinence. Since the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose elasticity, you may encounter frequent, sudden, strong urges to urinate, followed by an uncontrolled loss of urine (urge incontinence), or the loss of urine by coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence). You may have urinary tract infections more frequently.

• Sexual function. Vaginal dryness because of decreased moisture production and lack of elasticity can induce discomfort and slight bleeding during sexual intercourse. Also, reduced sensation may decrease your desire for sexual activity (libido).

Water-based vaginal moisturizers and lubricants may assist. If a vaginal lubricant isn't sufficient, many women benefit from the use of local vaginal estrogen therapy, available as a vaginal cream, tablet or ring.

• Weight gain. Many women increase weight during the menopausal transition or after menopause because of decreased metabolism. You may require to eat less and exercise more, simply to maintain your current weight.

When you should consider visiting a gynecologist?

You should keep visiting a gynecologist once in every while to ensure good reproductive health. However, in the case of menopause, you should get a consultation before, during and after the menopause, as it often follows some complications. Furthermore, precautionary health care as you age may include suggested health screening tests, such as mammography, colonoscopy, and triglyceride screening. Your doctor might prescribe other tests and exams too, such as thyroid testing if recommended by your history, or breast and pelvic exams.

This article has been produced after having a detailed discussion with Gurgaon's top Gynaecologist Dr. Witty Raina. We thank her for such beautiful info. 

Dr. Witty Raina is a top Gynaecologist known to have cured many Obstetrics and Gynaecology related problems. She is working extensively in the field of women health and constantly making efforts towards treating problems related to the female reproductory system. Being a gynecologist, she also has assisted and cured numerous women with menopause-related illnesses.