Monday 19 May 2014

THE MENOPAUSE

At a  particular time for every woman, the remaining egg follicles in the ovary begin to disappear. This happens between the 45th and 55th year of life.  The menopause does not  happen suddenly, there is a gradual transition from the normal ovarian activity of the reproductive years to the relatively inactive ovary of the menopausal years.

The first change that indicates  that  menopause is around the corner is that the  lining of the uterus is less satisfactorily stimulated and the menstrual flow becomes  less regular. The amount of the blood lost during the menstruation is reduced and the time interval between each menstruation increases.
As  the months pass, fewer egg follicles are stimulated and the amount of oestrogen secreted  by them diminishes still further until eventually the menstrual periods cease altogether, the menopause has arrived.
The menopause  means the end of  menstruation in the life of a woman. It  is the end of the ability of a woman to reproduce  or bear children. Menopause means that the menstruation has ended permanently and the woman is no longer fertile.
All the changes that occur are due to altered hormone secretion and from a fall in oestrogen, an absence of progesterone and a rise in pituitary hormones.

CHANGES THAT OCCUR BEFORE MENOPAUSE
1. Increase in breast size; this is because of the extra fat being deposited in the breast.
2. The uterus, oviducts and ovaries become smaller  and inactive.
3. The lining of the vagina  becomes thinner and more irritated.
4. The tissues which surround and support the vagina and the muscles of the floor of the pelvis tend to become flabby and loose their elasticity.

SYMPTOMS OF THE MENOPAUSE
1. Irregular menstruation
The menstruation may continue regularly and then suddenly stop or the period become less frequent, the intervals becoming longer until they cease completely.The menstruation may become irregular, heavy and the interval between periods become unpredictable.
2. HOT FLUSHES
This is a sudden intense heat which sweeps over the body. They last only a few  moments and then disappears but they tend to happen several times a day and may be accompanied  by a tingling sensation which sweeps over the body. If this happens at night, it may disturb sleep.
3. VAGINAL DRYNESS AND BURNING
This is noticed particularly when sexual intercourse is attempted. This is because lubrication fails to occur.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT OCCUR DURING MENOPAUSE
1. DEPRESSION
2. IRRITABILITY
3. HEADACHES
4. PALPITATIONS
5. DRY SKIN
6. FREQUENCY IN PASSING URINE
7. MENTAL INBALANCE
8. FATIGUE
9. INSOMANIA

HOW TO HANDLE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE
*The woman should remember that the symptoms she is experiencing is temporary and that she will adjust.
* She should talk to her doctor who will offer sympathetic understanding and reassurance.
* The woman may decide to take hormone oestrogen treatment to replace that which her ovaries no longer make.
Oestrogen will delay the onset of osteroporosis, protects  her  against a heart attack and improve her feeling of well being.

No comments:

Post a Comment