MENOPAUSE

Menopause

When a woman’s reproductive system slows down and  eventually stops around the age of 50, is called a menopause.  Menopause signals the end of fertility. Menopause occurs as  the ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to gradually shut down.

To understand the menopause we should first understand the physiology of menstruation and the hormones that are involved in our monthly cycle. Hormones are substances in our bodies that act like messengers. They travel throughout the body and can bind to specialized areas of cells known as receptor sites, where they then initiate a specific chain of events. The first half of the menstrual cycle is dominated by estrogen, whose role is to build the lining of the uterus in preparation for a potential pregnancy. At approximately day 14 of the cycle, or two weeks prior to menstruation, an egg is released from the ovaries. This is referred to as ovulation.

As a result of ovulation the ovary begins producing progesterone. It is during this second half of the cycle that progesterone is dominant. Progesterone’s role is to change the character of the uterine lining to prepare for pregnancy, and to prevent further buildup of the lining by estrogen. At the end of the cycle, if the egg is not fertilized, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, causing a sloughing of the uterine lining, or menstruation. The body goes through this cycle every month to ensure a fresh uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy.

Production of progesterone stops, if a woman fails to ovulate, which results in hormonal imbalance.

– Perimenopause (menopausal transition)

Transition period between a woman’s reproductive years and when menstruation ceases completely or It is time leading up to a woman’s last period. During this time a woman will have changes in her levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal imbalance results in physical, mental, and emotional problems. It occurs between the ages of 40 and 51 and may last anywhere from six months to ten years. It’s during the perimenopausal phase that most women experience the worst symptoms.

– Postmenopausal (menopause)

In this estrogen levels decrease to the point that the lining of the uterus no longer builds up and menstruation ceases. Most of the symptoms experienced during perimenopause will disappear — although some women have occasional hot flashes, anxiety, bouts of depression, for a few years after they become postmenopausal.

Male menopause (andropause)

Menopause is not limited to women, it hits men too, and men also suffer from andropause – a menopause-like condition – as they get older. Symptoms of andropause are fatigue, depression, obesity, loss of libido, loss of memory and insomnia. Andropause is caused due to falling levels of testosterone.

Complications

– Premature menopause

Menopause occurring before the age of 40; it occurs in 1% of women. Some women enter menopause at a younger age, especially if they have had cancer or another serious illness and undergone chemotherapy. Other causes of premature menopause include autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, and diabetes mellitus. Premature menopause is diagnosed by measuring the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH); the levels of these hormones will be higher if menopause has occurred.

– Osteoporosis

Lower estrogen around the time of menopause leads to bone loss in women. Bone loss can cause bones to weaken, which can cause bones to break more easily. When bones weaken a lot, the condition is called osteoporosis.

To keep bones strong, women need weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, climbing stairs, or using weights. Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, or if needed, taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Avoid smoking to protect your bones.

– Cardiac problems

After menopause, women are more likely to have Changes in estrogen levels may cause cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks and strokes

Lifestyle changes as well as healthy diet can prevent cardiac problem

Symptoms

The hormone changes that happen around menopause affect every woman differently. Also, symptoms sometimes are not caused by menopause but by other aspects of aging instead.

– Periods

Irregular periods, may be Come more often or less often,

Last more days or fewer, it may be  lighter or heavier.

– Hot flashes (flushes)

Sudden feelings of heat all over or in the upper part of body,

Flushing of face and neck, Red blotches on chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering after the flash

– Sleep

Troubled sleep, Night sweats (hot flashes that make sweat while sleeping)

– Vaginal and urinary problems

Drier and thinner vaginal tissue, which can make sex uncomfortable, More infections in the vagina, More urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence especially upon sneezing, laughing: urge incontinence (reflects a general loss of smooth muscle tone)..

– Mood changes

Have mood swings (which are not the same as depression)

Cry more often

– Heart palpitations

Bouts of rapid heartbeat, skipped heartbeats, irregular heartbeats.

– Skin

Electric shock sensation under the skin .Brittle fingernails, which peels & break easily.

– Sexual problems

Less interest in sex or loss of libido

– Breast

Breast atrophy, skin thinning, decreased elasticity.

– Musculoskeletal

Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons. Osteoporosis and back pain. Tingling in the extremities, losing muscle.

– Gastrointestinal

Indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea. Bloating, water retention Acid reflux and heartburn are very common during perimenopause.

– Allergies

Allergies become worse during the menopausal years. Women can develop wheezing, coughing and a host of respiratory problems. This generally disappears once a woman becomes menopausal.

– Weight gain

Fat deposits, around the waist and thighs, changes in body shape.

– Hair

Hair Loss or thinning of  head or whole body, increase in facial hair.

– Dizziness

Light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance.

– Mouth

Gum problems, increased bleeding. Burning tongue

Prevention

Genetics plays an important  a role in the timing, but lifestyle can certainly influence a woman’s experience of menopause. The challenges of menopause need to be tackled with a healthy lifestyle comprising a balanced diet, suitable exercise regimen and adequate relaxation, and regular check-ups.

Diet

Women over 50 need 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 and 1.5 milligrams of vitamin B6 each day.

After menopause, a woman’s calcium needs go up to maintain bone health. Women 51 and older should get 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day. Vitamin D also is important to bone health.

Women 51 to 70 should get 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day. Women ages 71 and older need 800 IU of vitamin D each day.

Women past menopause who are still having vaginal bleeding because they are using menopausal hormone therapy might need extra iron.

– Diet for healthy bones

In women, 75 per cent of bone mineral loss occurs between the age of 50 and 65. Calcium is the chief mineral found in bones. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium from the diet as well as its utilization by bones.

A woman’s requirement of calcium goes up by 50 per cent after menopause, and she must increase her calcium intake after the age of 35, to avoid a ‘negative calcium balance’. In addition, ensure adequate exposure to sunlight to help convert vitamin D to its active form.

Rich sources of calcium include:

– Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese Nuts, beans and pulses

– Green leafy vegetables, cabbage, broccoli, lotus stem, lady’s fingers

– Dry fruits like apricots, dates and figs

– Fish, meat and eggs

– Fruits like oranges, currants, black berries, apricots, plums and raisins

– Diet for healthy skin

At menopause, a woman’s skin starts to produce slightly less collagen and elastic fibers, which leads to accelerated wrinkling and sagging. A diet consisting of liberal quantities of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits [antioxidants], supplemented by dairy foods, vegetable oils, honey and yeast helps maintain healthy skin. Drink lots of water daily to maintain moisture content, and keep up that glow.

– Diet for memory

Best food for the brain is activity. Because, when it comes to the brain, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. It is important to remain physically and mentally active to prevent complications like Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. In addition, stress management, relaxation and adequate sleep are essential to mental wellbeing.

Foods that enhance memory include vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and turnip greens, oranges, fish and asparagus.

– Diet for a healthy heart

Avoid saturated fats [ghee, butter, cheese, animal fats, cream and coconut and palm oil] as they increase cholesterol in the blood, which hardens arteries and predisposes you to heart disease.

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats reduce the total cholesterol and LDL while increasing HDL cholesterol which is known as good cholesterol. Nuts, avocados and olive oil are good sources of MUFA. Seafood like salmon as well as corn and sunflower oils are high in polyunsaturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids belong to this group.

For a healthy heart, avoid eating:

– Fried foods

– White bread, white rice

– Processed foods

– Excess salt

– Red meats.

– Diet for preventing cancers

Tomatoes, guava, and watermelons contain lycopenes. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain isothiocyanates, which prevent cancer. Pulses, nuts, garlic, whole grains and beans are other anti-cancer foods.

– Diet for weight management

Managing weight is one of the biggest challenges for a menopausal woman. Thanks to an altered ratio of female to male hormones, she starts putting on weight in the waist region, and acquires the ‘apple’ shape of her male counterparts as opposed to the ‘pear’ shape of premenopausal women. Slowing metabolism further compounds the weight problem.

–  Eat small meals at frequent intervals

–  Don’t skip breakfast

–  Eat fruits rather than drinking juices

– Eat healthy snacks like salads, sprouts or nuts in between meals

– Follow an exercise regimen

– Avoid eating fried and junk food, eat more wholesome home food.

– Diet to prevent bloating

Water retention can lead to a ‘bloated feeling’ with swelling of feet and under your eyes.

– Avoid eating salty foods, pickles, butter, processed foods, ketchup, and cheese.

– Restrict intake of sugar

-Add potassium-rich foods like fruits e.g. melons, bananas, oranges and dried fruits such as apricots and figs to your diet to balance sodium and water retention

– Don’t miss out on your exercise regimen.

– Diet for managing urinary leaks

– Limit your fluid intake towards the end of the day to avoid waking up at night for urination

– Consume small amount of fluids throughout the day

– Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeinated beverages and artificially sweetened drinks.

Homeopathic symptoms and cure

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the basis of symptoms rather than conditions, as each case of a particular illness can manifest differently in different people. There are many symptoms which can be effectively treated by homeopathy few symptoms are given below. If your symptoms are matching to any of the symptoms given below, it can be cured mail the disease and symptom number at drraishyam@gmail.com to know your medicine.

1. Hot flashes with generous perspiration throughout the day and night.

2. Women who are usually soft and emotional, with frequent mood changes and a tendency to tears, insecure and uneasy feelings, lack of thirst, and alternating heat and chills.

3. Vaginal dryness and thinning and experiences pain during intercourse, involuntary urination.

4. Experience pain on the right side of the body when compared to left.

5. Wake up from hot flashes, also jealous, talkative and suspicious.

6. Vaginal dryness and water retention with a clear craving for salt.

7. Morning headaches, tightness around the midsection and flooding during periods. Trouble sleeping due to night sweats. Hot Flashes with Varicose Veins and Depression

8. Hot flashes accompanied by feelings of helplessness and depression. Suffers from hemorrhoids and varicose veins. greatly affected by cold and drafts. Hot Flashes with Backaches and Palpitations

9. Hot flashes that occur after 3 a.m. nervousness and palpitation loss of appetite facial hot flashes.

10. Hot flashes center on her face and head. Nosebleeds and abdominal pains. Complaints scanty periods and weight gain. Evening Hot Flashes.

11. Hot flashes occur in the evening or after exercise. These hot flashes commonly occur when the woman feels weary. Flooding with Backaches and Irritability.

12. Suffers from flooding during their periods. These women also complain of night sweats and backaches. irritable and depressed with menopause, vaginal Dryness.

13. Hot flashes with red face, alternating with pale face.

14. Flushing in to the head and face, starting and stopping suddenly, with sweat, redness, throbbing and congestion.

15. Hot flushing in the face and neck, with circular redness of the cheeks and burning in the ears.

16. Hot flashes with redness, congestion, and pounding heart.

17. Flashes of heat, with flooding, irritability, hysteria, and rejection of loved ones.

18. Changeable periods and moods, with tearful episodes, seeking comfort and consolation, preferring the open air.

19. Hot flashes with palpitations, loss of appetite, backache, feelings of tautness and nervousness, worse around 3 a.m.

20. Flashes of heat, always worse after sleep, person very talkative, with strong and fixed ideas.

21. Flushes especially on the face, with nosebleeds, weight gain, scanty periods, and cutting pains in the lower abdomen.

22. Hot flashes coming on suddenly.

23. Hot flashes worse in evening and after exercise, great weariness.

24. Hot flashes with nervousness, mental depression, irritability, anxiety, fainting spells.

25. Dryness and thinning of the walls of the vagina, constipation with burned or blackish-looking stools.

26. Hot flashes with nervousness, palpitations and tendency to cramps.

27. Hot flashes with weak, run-down condition, anemia, loss of weight.