Menopause Symptoms, Causes: Perimenopause, Premature Menopause

Menopause officially begins when a woman hasn’t had a period in 12 consecutive months; this process in a normal part of aging for women. Generally menopause happens after 40, but may not occur in some women until they are 60. Ovaries are responsible for producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. They also manufacture and store a woman’s eggs. When ovaries stop producing eggs, they also stop producing estrogen. Menopause is the cessation of egg production and the end of periods. Women who have entered menopause are also no longer able to get pregnant. It is the loss of naturally occurring hormones that gives rise to the set of symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and sometimes painful intercourse. Not all women experience menopause in the same way.

Sometimes the period leading up to menopause is called perimenopause. During this time the ovaries are gradually producing less estrogen and there may be signs such as missed or irregular periods. If a women goes into menopause after the age of 40 it is called natural menopause. Some women go into menopause early, this is called premature menopause and there are many reasons why this can happen including illness, hormonal imbalances or a hysterectomy in which the ovaries are removed.

There are some important ways those menopause effects women. The loss of hormones can lead to osteoporosis for many women. Thinning of the bones associated with osteoporosis leaves post menopausal women vulnerable to breaks. In addition, women may be more susceptible to heart disease. The loss of estrogen also contributes to changes in the look and texture of skin associated with wrinkling. Women who are experiencing some of the symptoms of menopause may also experience emotional turmoil and suffer from a lack of sleep leaving them fatigued and suffering some cognitive difficulties.

Comments are closed.