Menopause. How menopause begins in a woman: the first signs and symptoms Symptoms of the onset of menopause in women

Menopause in women: symptoms and treatment

Introduction

Menopause (climacteric period) is not a disease, but a natural phase of life that every woman goes through at a certain age. However, menopause can cause symptoms that sometimes require treatment.

During menopause, a woman moves from the stage of puberty to the so-called aging. Most women go through menopause between 45 and 70 years of age. During menopause, a woman undergoes a restructuring of hormones (hormonal levels):

• during menopause, the body constantly loses estrogens (female sex hormones),
• as a result, menstrual bleeding is becoming increasingly rare,
• until, finally, the last climacteric period comes - the so-called menopause.

Estrogen deficiency can cause menopausal symptoms.

Typical symptoms of female menopause are hot flashes, sweating, and dizziness. However, most women do not need treatment: about a third of all women remain unaffected during menopause, only the remaining third of women over 50 develop any minor health problems.

It is only during the last menopause that very severe symptoms can be noticed that may require therapy.

Hormonal preparations with estrogens and/or progestins are primarily used to relieve severe menopausal symptoms: this so-called hormone therapy(sometimes also called hormone replacement therapy) is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms in women.

However, in some cases, such therapy during menopause is out of the question, including with:

• breast cancer;
• uterine cancer;
• resistant (high blood pressure).

Hormone therapy can lead to side effects - so a woman should consult with her doctor to determine which procedure is best for treating her menopausal symptoms. During hormone therapy, regular gynecological examinations are recommended.

In the long term, the estrogen deficiency typical of menopause in women leads to changes in the body: first of all, the uterus, vagina, vulva and mammary glands suffer, they begin to weaken. In addition, during the menopause, the skin and mucous membranes suffer: the skin becomes thinner and less elastic. This can lead to pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).

Without treatment, about one in four women develops. However, hormonal therapy can at least partially compensate for these effects of menopause.

What is a climax?

The term menopause or menopause - refers to the entire transitional period from the end of full puberty to the so-called aging of a woman. This transitional phase begins a few years before the last menstrual period - the so-called menopause.

At what age does menopause begin and how long does it last?

On average, menopause occurs and lasts from 45 to 70 years.

Menopause

Menopause occurs in different periods time. Their designations indicate a temporal relationship with menopause. - “pre” (premenopause) means before the last menstrual period, “post” (postmenopause) - after it, “peri” (perimenopause) means the period during menopause:

• Premenopause: refers to the period of 2 to 7 years before menopause. Menstrual bleeding becomes irregular and mild menopausal symptoms can be detected.
• Menopause- this is the last menstrual period, spontaneously controlled by the ovaries, after which bleeding stops. This happens on average at age 51.
• Postmenopause is the period after menopause. Postmenopause lasts from 10 to 15 years, ending at age 70.
• Perimenopause: means a period of about 2 years before and after menopause, that is, usually between 49 and 53 years of age.

As a woman ages, estrogen and progesterone levels drop. During the onset of menopause, estrogen levels can vary greatly.

On average, the menopause lasts from 10 to 15 years. During the various transitional phases of menopause, the level of female sex hormones is constantly changing. This can lead to complaints that are summarized under the term climacteric syndrome.

Menopause: causes in hormones

Menopause in women occurs due to hormonal causes: with age, the level of hormones in a woman changes. Around age 40, ovarian function begins to decline, gradually reducing estrogen levels (female sex hormones).

At birth in girls, both ovaries contain several million follicles. During puberty, their number decreases to about 100,000-250,000, and then their number steadily decreases with each ovulation. Although only one egg is released from the ovaries in the month of ovulation, the ovary produces several new follicles in the same month, after ovulation they are again lost.

On average, at age 50, there are no more follicles in a woman's ovaries. Ovulation stops. Since the follicles produce estrogen, estrogen production also decreases. As a result, the last menstrual bleeding controlled by the ovaries occurs around menopause.

Menopause also changes the production of hormones in the brain: as the ovaries produce less and less estrogen during menopause, the brain secretes more hormones of the gonadotropin group - these are sex hormones that should stimulate the ovaries to produce hormones.

In particular, the so-called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH, follitropin) is released: while, for example, the concentration of a specific estrogen called estradiol decreases to about one sixth during menopause, the concentration of FSH increases on average more than six times.

Such changes in the hormonal background during menopause can provoke various symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes or.

female sex hormones

During menopause, various female sex hormones are involved in hormonal changes: the concentration of some hormones drops, while the body produces more hormones, trying to somehow compensate for the loss. The most important group of female sex hormones are estrogens. Sex hormones also include gonadotropins and progestogens.

Estrogens

The follicles in the ovaries are primarily responsible for the production of estrogens, which is why estrogens are sometimes referred to as follicular hormones. These sex hormones, which are produced less and less during menopause, are responsible for many functions in the female body and play a role, among other things, in ovulation.

A group of follicular hormones is especially important for reproduction.

The most important natural estrogens include the hormones estradiol, estrone, and estriol. These three estrogens differ mainly in their activity. Estradiol is the most active estrogen, while estrogen contains only one third and estriol only one tenth of this activity.

Gonadotropins

During menopause, the brain begins to produce more gonadotropins, releasing them into the blood. These sex hormones include luteinizing hormone (LH, luteotropin) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH, follitropin).

• luteinizing hormone (LH): means from lat. luteum "yellow". The brain releases luteinizing hormone to stimulate ovulation. LH also contributes to the formation of the so-called corpus luteum, which is formed from the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicle.
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): Follitropin stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary and also helps them to mature.

Thus, both gonadotropins together contribute to the production of estrogen in the ovaries. During the menstrual cycle, the interaction of estrogens, LH and FSH leads to ovulation once a month. The ovaries then transfer one egg to the fallopian tube.

Progestogens

Progestogens (gestagens) are also known as corpus luteum hormones, as they are produced in the ovaries of the luteal body.

During menopause, the production of progestogen in the ovaries gradually stops. During a woman's puberty, progestogens act on the lining of the uterus and prepare it for eventual fertilization by an egg. If the fertilized egg is actually capable of implanting, pregnancy occurs.

After that, gestagens prevent further maturation of the follicles during pregnancy. The most important progestogen is progesterone. Other progestins are pregnandiol and pregnenolone.

Typical symptoms of menopause

Menopause is characterized by symptoms that are mainly caused by a lack of estrogens (female sex hormones). Women react differently to these changes:

• about a third of women go through menopause without symptoms;
• in another third, the symptoms of menopause are so mild that women do not consider it necessary to treat them;
• the last third of the typical menopausal symptoms are severe, often requiring treatment.

Approximately 2-7 years before the last menstruation (the so-called menopause), the first phase of menopause begins.

Typical symptoms of this so-called premenopause are cycle disturbances: before menopause, bleeding is usually more severe, and the cycle is shorter.

Complications occur during the impending menopause entry with persistent bleeding that can last for several weeks: doctors call this menopausal bleeding. With the transition to premenopause, menstrual bleeding becomes less and less, and ovulation stops altogether.

The symptoms that occur during the menopause are also called the climacteric syndrome. For typical signs of menopause, the following manifestations are mainly characteristic, some of which are caused by narrowing or expansion of blood vessels:

• hot flashes (affects about 7 out of 10 women);
• sweating (in about 5 out of 10 women);
• cardiopalmus ();
• dizziness (about 4-5 out of 10 women)
• insomnia;
• decrease in working capacity;
• nervousness;
• depression;
• headache;
• dryness of the vagina;

• decreased sex drive (loss of libido).

At the beginning of menopause, psychological symptoms and so-called autonomic disorders(eg, hot flashes, sweating, tachycardia). Vegetative symptoms menopause are caused by changes in the autonomic nervous system: the autonomic nervous system regulates vital important features organisms such as respiration, digestion, metabolism and water balance. The cause of menopause is primarily estrogen deficiency: it makes the autonomic nervous system more excitable.

With the further course of menopause as additional symptoms, for example, there may be changes in the genitals. Cause: the typical estrogen deficiency during menopause leads to physical changes in the long term. The uterus, vagina, vulva and mammary glands are especially weakened and narrowed.

In addition, during menopause, the skin and mucous membranes (including the vulva and vagina) of a woman are also subject to changes: the affected skin is thinner and less elastic. As a result, this can lead to pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).

In addition, during menopause, the following symptoms are observed:

• high blood pressure (hypertension) in about one in two women;
• weight gain;
• osteoarthritis;
• chronic pain.

Diagnostics

Is it easy to determine if a woman has menopause? The complaints and age of the woman, as well as a gynecological examination, are decisive for the diagnosis.

The last menstrual bleeding spontaneously controlled by the ovaries (called menopause) can be diagnosed retrospectively if the last bleeding occurred a year ago.

If two or more of the following factors are present at the same time, this may be a sign of menopause:

• age 45 or older;
• flushes of heat;
• menstrual irregularities;
• changes in the uterus, vagina, or breasts.

A blood test can also be helpful in diagnosing menopause, it will help determine the concentration of various female sex hormones, such as FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and estradiol, which belongs to estrogens. Among other things, estradiol is responsible for regular menstrual bleeding.

Hormone levels during menopause usually change:

• estradiol decreases;
• FSH increases.

Typical hormone levels after menopause

Explanation:

• IU (International Unit), sometimes - ED (Unit of Action);
• ml = milliliter;
• ng = nanogram (10 -9 grams, 1 billionth of a gram);
• pg = picogram (10 -12 grams, 1 trillionth of a gram).

Treatment: how to relieve the symptoms of menopause?

The menopause often does not require treatment: about a third of women have no menopausal symptoms, and a third have mild symptoms, they also do not need treatment.

If you experience mild hot flashes and sweats during menopause, lifestyle changes can be done to treat these symptoms. Should:

• bring the weight back to normal: since being overweight is associated with more frequent hot flashes, a body mass index of 25 or less is desirable;
• exercise regularly: those who regularly do physical exercises, can reduce hot flashes;
• do relaxation exercises in a relaxed state, hot flashes during menopause are less common and weaker;
• walk in the fresh, cool air: in overheated rooms, hot flashes occur much more often than in fresh, cool air.

However, about a third of women experience severe menopausal symptoms that reduce their quality of life. Then during the menopause it makes sense to carry out more extensive therapy. Since hormonal deficiency resulting from menopause is the main cause of complaints, so-called hormonal therapy is often recommended.

For hormonal therapy in the context of menopause, various individual preparations of estrogen and progesterone are available, as well as combined preparations estrogen-progesterone. The goal of treatment is not to restore the pre-menopausal state, but above all:

• relieve symptoms of hot flashes;
• prevent changes, deterioration in the reproductive system;
• reduce the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis.

Which hormonal drug is right for you depends on whether you have a uterus or had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), at what phase of menopause the symptoms appear and how serious they are.

Hormone therapy is especially effective against so-called autonomic disorders, such as hot flashes and. Hormonal medications can also help with swelling of the tissues in the genital area, which is manifested by vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse.

Long-term hormone therapy also reduces the risk of developing and prevents osteoporosis, reducing the risk of bone fractures during menopause.

However, treatment with hormonal drugs also carries certain risks: for example, hormonal therapy during menopause - depending on the drug used - may, for example, slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer and strokes.

In addition, hormone therapy started late increases the risk. However, in some cases, early treatment (in women under 60 years of age) may reduce the risk.

If you are considering hormonal therapy, it should ideally begin with the onset of menopause.

Hormone therapy during menopause can lead to various side effects, such as:

• nausea;
• headache;
• weight gain;
• painful enlargement in the chest area;
• water retention in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (edema)
• discomfort in the stomach;
• migraine;
• leg cramps.

Therefore, all risks of hormone therapy for each woman should be assessed individually and regularly checked.

In addition to hormonal therapy, herbal active preparations with a hormone-like effect (so-called phytohormones, for example, from black cohosh or rhubarb root) are also used to treat menopausal symptoms.

However, according to modern scientific data, phytohormones, as well as other herbal and non-hormonal preparations, cannot replace hormone therapy: herbal supplements have little effect on menopausal symptoms. Whether these remedies work in individual cases is impossible to predict. Herbal remedies are not recommended for women with severe menopause symptoms.

If during menopause serious irregularities in menstruation recur, it may be necessary to remove the uterus surgically (hysterectomy).

When should you stop hormone therapy?

Treatment of symptoms during menopause with hormones is necessary and appropriate only in certain cases. People who do not have menopausal symptoms usually do not need therapy.

In addition, under certain health conditions, even though the symptoms are severe, hormone therapy is contraindicated, for example:

• breast cancer or uterine cancer;
• vascular occlusion (embolism) caused by thrombosis;
• severe hypertension;
• cerebrovascular disease;
• autoimmune disease;
• some tumors in the brain, spinal cord(meningioma);
• allergy to active substances or adjuvants of hormonal drugs.

When is hormone therapy needed?

Estrogens may be indispensable in the treatment of menopause. Such hormonal therapy is necessary, for example, in cases of:

• severe symptoms of menopause,
• if menopause begins prematurely, i.e. up to 40 years of age;
• when the ovaries are surgically removed;
• premature ovarian failure.

Course and forecast

Menopause is part of the natural aging process in women. This stage of transition from full puberty to old age is individual for each woman.

On average, menopause lasts 10 to 15 years. During this stage, the production of certain female sex hormones, estrogen, decreases. In most cases, menopause occurs between 45 and 70 years of a woman's life.

Without treatment, the symptoms of menopause caused by estrogen deficiency usually disappear after a year or two. Hormonal drugs help with severe menopausal symptoms.

Without hormone therapy, menopause leads to osteoporosis (in about 25 percent of women).

Can menopause be prevented?

Menopause is not a disease that can be prevented, it is part of a woman's natural aging process. However, to a certain extent, you can protect yourself from the possible symptoms of menopause through a healthy lifestyle.

A balanced diet containing a lot of calcium and, as well as healthy sleep have a positive effect on hormonal balance. Depending on the situation, the following measures may also help relieve symptoms during menopause:

• physiotherapy (heating and cooling);
• balneotherapy (eg mud baths, Kneipp treatment, etc.);
• psychotherapy or psychotropic drugs (eg, antidepressants).

Interesting

Content

Upon reaching a certain age, the body of every woman undergoes dramatic changes, the nature and duration of which depend on many factors. Menopause is a normal decrease in fertility (ability to reproduce), accompanied by endocrine, physiological, psycho-emotional changes. According to statistics, about 80% of women suffer from menopause symptoms, so emotional and physical training to the onset of menopause.

What is a climax

Menopause (menopause, menopause) is a natural aging process, characterized by the extinction of the reproductive function. As a rule, the first signs of menopause in women appear at the age of 45-50. Nothing abnormal happens during menopause - this is an absolutely normal phase life cycle person. In men, this stage also occurs at a certain point, but it begins later and is characterized by a milder course.

There are natural menopause (45-55 years), artificial (with violations of the proper functioning of the ovaries and uterus) and premature (30-35 years). The age of menopause and its accompanying symptoms depend on genetic inheritance, lifestyle, the presence of bad habits(especially smoking), individual characteristics of the organism. Artificial menopause can be caused by irradiation of the pelvic region, early operations and courses of treatment strong drugs.

Menopause can develop over a long period - several years pass from the onset of the first manifestations to the onset of menopause. During this time, single follicles can be found in the ovaries, but with age they atrophy and disappear. Menopause includes three stages - premenopause, menopause and postmenopause.

Beginning of menopause (premenopause)

Average age the onset of premenopause is 45-50 years. In rare cases, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) occurs abruptly, but more often the stage is characterized by a gradual long course (from 2 to 10 years). During premenopause, the development of a climacteric syndrome is possible, since the ongoing changes are observed not only in the reproductive organs - the bone tissue, nervous and cardiovascular systems. The onset of menopause is characterized by the following features:

• Menstruation becomes irregular, at this time there is a high probability uterine bleeding.
• The number of follicles decreases, which reduces the likelihood of conception, but there is still the possibility of becoming pregnant during this period.
• Due to the unstable content of estrogen (the main female hormone) in the blood, hypersensitivity of the mammary glands can be observed.

Menopause

You can talk about the onset of menopause a year after the last menstruation. For most women, this occurs between the ages of 49-55. After the cessation of menstruation, a woman cannot become pregnant naturally. This period is accompanied by the following manifestations:

• There is a decrease, deformation of the ovaries, eggs are absent or their maturation is impossible.
• Due to a decrease in the production of progesterone and estrogen, an imbalance occurs between the hormones of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pituitary gland. For this reason, a woman suffers from regular hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, and emotional swings.
• Due to hormonal disruptions, the likelihood of developing various concomitant pathologies increases - osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, etc.

Postmenopause

The last stage begins at 54-56 years, its duration is 5-6 years. Postmenopause ends with a complete stop of the ovaries. The consequences of menopause, which can be expected during this period:

• The amount of pubic hair is reduced.
• The large labia are deformed, the small ones gradually disappear completely.
• The synthesis of hormones by the ovaries is completely stopped, the level of estrogen is kept at a consistently low level.
• Vaginal protective lubrication disappears, which contributes to the development of inflammation and infections.
• Deep wrinkles appear, body weight increases, hair on the head thins and turns gray.
• Attention, memory, vision worsens.

What changes occur in the body of a woman in the premenopausal period

Premenopause is the most important phase of menopause, since at this time cardinal age-related changes begin, the nature of which determines the quality of the next 30-40 years of life. A woman needs to take a responsible attitude to the state of her health, change her lifestyle, if necessary, undergo a course of drug treatment in order to avoid a sharp withering of the ovaries, the inevitable consequence of which is the general aging of the body.

Decrease in blood estrogen

At the beginning of premenopause, there is a decrease in the duration of the follicular phase (menstruation becomes shorter). At this time, the concentration of estrogen and progesterone in the blood decreases significantly. It is noteworthy that the synthesis of male hormones (androgens) remains at the same level, since during menopause a significant part of estrogen is synthesized from male hormones, which are predominantly in adipose tissue. Androgen production is influenced by FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) produced by the pituitary gland, the synthesis of which increases at the onset of menopause.

To determine the hormonal background, the doctor must refer the patient to conduct mandatory blood tests, the results of which can be used to judge estrogen deficiency. For complete clinical picture the patient is recommended to do an ultrasound of the uterus and appendages, mammography. If necessary and strictly under the supervision of a gynecologist, it is possible to adjust the concentration of female hormones with the help of drug therapy.

Circulatory disorders

With age, the vascular walls become thinner and lose their natural elasticity, the heart muscle wears out and “gets tired” - these and other reasons lead to drops in blood pressure, the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia. Due to the aging of the body and the ongoing hormonal changes, blood circulation in all organs is disturbed, which leads to the occurrence of pathologies.

As a rule, premenopause is accompanied by tachycardia (increased heart rate). In addition, a woman may feel tingling in the limbs, dizziness, a feeling of pressure in the chest, suffer from migraines and weakness. Experts say that patients with cardiovascular diseases (especially hypertension) are more difficult to endure the onset of menopause.

Anxiety and mood swings

Hormonal failures and reactions to them nervous system lead to anxiety and irritability. In addition, there may be problems with memory, a decrease in concentration, the appearance of sudden mood swings. In rare cases, neurotic states characterized by obsessions may develop. It is noteworthy that even restrained and calm women react to the onset of menopause with resentment, tearfulness, even hysteria, but in the later period of menopause, love for life and joy not only return, but also become stronger than at a young age.

The first signs of menopause

The main signs of the onset of menopause in a woman depend on the work of the pituitary gland, which ensures the onset of ovulation and the synthesis of estrogen. The action of the latter extends not only to the reproductive function - estrogen affects the regulation of metabolism, strengthening the muscle corset and bone tissue, the psychological state of the woman, the functioning of the uterus; therefore, recognizing the onset of menopause is not a problem - the first symptoms of menopause are directly dependent on estrogen deficiency.

Menstrual irregularities

At the beginning of premenopause, there is a decrease in the duration, frequency and amount of menstrual flow. Normally, the time between periods should increase from 30 to 90 days. Periods may disappear abruptly, or may stop after prolonged amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). In some cases, the resumption of discharge is observed even after a long break. If the restoration of the menstrual cycle occurred after 6 months of delay, there is a possibility of uterine bleeding - in this case, a consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

Scanty or very profuse discharge

In most women, the amount of monthly discharge at the beginning of the menopause gradually decreases, which indicates the cessation of steroid secretion by the ovaries. In rare cases, an increase in the amount of menstruation is possible, which is associated with a violation of ovulation. As a rule, abundant discharge appears after a long delay.

Hot flashes and night sweats

The imbalance of female hormones leads to disruption of the autonomic nervous system. Essentially, hot flashes and excessive sweating are neuronal responses to hormonal surges that occur at the onset of physiological aging. Hot flashes are characterized by the appearance of heat in the neck, chest, face. There is redness skin, increased body temperature, severe hyperhidrosis (sweating).

The hot flashes last no longer than a minute, but at the same time they cause significant discomfort - the body temperature can rise to 38 degrees, the pulse quickens, perspiration appears. Such attacks happen unexpectedly, with an unpredictable frequency (from 10 to 60 times per day). For decreasing discomfort after hot flashes, doctors advise patients to wear several thin layers of clothing in order to remove the wet bottom layer if necessary.

Insomnia

Sleep disturbance is a common complaint at the beginning of menopause. Insomnia is caused by anxiety, which is a side effect of decreased female hormone production. In addition, hot flashes and excessive sweating often disturb a woman at night. In addition, palpitations, together with impaired thermoregulation (chills), are the causes of difficult falling asleep.

Weight gain

In 60% of women during menopause, there is a metabolic disorder, accompanied by excessive deposition of adipose tissue. This happens due to a decrease in the concentration of estrogen in the blood - this is how the body tries to make up for the lack of the female hormone. The main place of deposition of subcutaneous fat is the waist and hips. A woman needs to carefully monitor her weight, eat right, since it can be difficult to get rid of extra pounds gained at the beginning of menopause. In addition, metabolic disorders can lead to the development of diabetes, oncology.

Decreased libido or increased sex drive

A decrease in sexual desire is an inevitable sign of menopause, which occurs due to hormonal disruptions, psychological reasons or medical problems (urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse). A woman stops feeling young and sexy, gets hung up on problems. In addition, dryness and loss of elasticity of the vagina affect the occurrence of pain during sex. In rare cases, there is an increase in libido. This is due to the fact that a woman no longer fears getting pregnant and does not suffer from monthly discharge.

Acceleration of skin aging processes and dry mucous membranes

One of the main signs of approaching aging is the progressive dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, in connection with which new wrinkles appear on the skin and old ones deepen, and the mucous membranes lose their natural protective lubricant. In relation to the genitals, the onset of menopause is accompanied by itching, painful sensations, edema. Then the tissues of the labia lose their elasticity, acquire a brown color, the skin resembles parchment. Next, tissue atrophy occurs, accompanied by scarring and narrowing of the entrance to the vagina.

To alleviate this condition, it is recommended to follow the rules of personal hygiene, wear underwear made from natural fabrics, wash with a decoction of calendula, chamomile, and a solution of baking soda. Significantly stop the symptoms of dryness help ointments based on anesthesin and diphenhydramine, vaginal suppositories, which include essential hormones(These remedies should be used only as prescribed by a doctor).

How to relieve the symptoms of menopause in women

Treatment of diseases accompanying menopause, improving the quality of life in adulthood is the task of obstetrician-gynecologists. Currently, older women often turn to therapists, neuropathologists with problems that gynecologists would help them solve, since during menopause the state of the body largely depends on the lack of estrogen.

To reduce the manifestations of menopausal syndrome, strengthen immunity, alleviate general condition patients and improve the psycho-emotional background, therapy is recommended under the supervision of a specialist. At the onset of menopause, no drug therapy, then - drug treatment. In some cases, in the absence of effect, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. Patients suffering from a severe form of climacteric syndrome may need to carry out the entire complex medical measures.

Medical therapy

Characteristic features the onset of menopause in women will help overcome the use medications. It should be remembered that the relief of symptoms does not mean recovery - with age, the amount of estrogen will decrease, which will inevitably lead to the progression of menopause. All medications(including homeopathic) must be taken strictly according to the doctor's prescription in order to avoid serious hormonal and metabolic disorders.

Combined oral contraceptives

Birth control pills(for example, Regulon, Logest, Marvelon, Novinet) are prescribed during menopause, not only to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, but also to relieve symptoms. The scheme of treatment with oral contraceptives in most cases is the same - 1 tablet daily for 3 weeks, then a break of 7 days. Some oral contraceptives must be taken continuously.

Phytopreparations

Medicinal products based on natural ingredients containing phytoestrogens are more easily accepted by the body and have a relatively small list. side effects. To relieve symptoms at home, you can prepare a mixture of motherwort, valerian and hawthorn, the regular intake of which strengthens the nervous system and normalizes sleep. Treatment with official homeopathic remedies is more effective than using prescriptions traditional medicine. Characteristics of some popular tools:

Hormonal drugs

Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most effective methods treatment of menopausal disorders, but also the most dangerous because of the risk of complications. Contraindications for hormonal treatment medicines are endometrial and breast cancer, hepatic pathologies, thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein with the formation of a blood clot). To prescribe such treatment, a comprehensive study of the patient's history, lifestyle, and family diseases is necessary. Comparative characteristics of popular drugs:

Vitamin and mineral complexes

Numerous studies have shown that taking vitamins and minerals greatly alleviates unpleasant menopausal manifestations and helps strengthen immunity. For example, vitamin C has a positive effect on the walls of blood vessels and relieves swelling, vitamin E has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the sex glands, improves blood circulation. Mineral preparations are important for maintaining metabolism and cell repair. Calcium plays a special role in this sense - it not only strengthens bone tissue but also involved in brain function.

Regular physical activity

Physical activity is the key to successfully overcoming the symptoms of menopause. Fitness, which strengthens the heart muscle and increases endurance, and yoga, which can help increase the flexibility of the body, will help to survive the restructuring of the body. In addition, practicing such a sport as Pilates has a beneficial effect on the muscular corset, which is especially important for protecting bone tissue. Additionally, a visit to the pool is recommended to relieve the symptoms of dystonia, relax and improve sleep.

Active lifestyle

In addition to regular physical activity, a woman needs to walk every day in the fresh air to improve blood circulation, prevent the appearance of excess weight, strengthen the muscular corset and the musculoskeletal system. In addition, walking, especially in good weather, helps to improve mood, relieve psychological stress.

Diet adjustment

During the changes that accompany the onset of menopause, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy diet in order to avoid gaining unwanted weight and to strengthen the body as a whole. It is recommended to increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, while flour products, fatty foods, hot spices should be abandoned. It will be useful to add seafood and lean fish to the diet.

The body of every woman in reproductive age undergoes cyclical changes. When a girl is born, these processes are not yet in her body. From the beginning of the menstrual cycle and until the menopause, certain hormones will be produced on the right days of the cycle. The period of menopause in women is characterized by various not very pleasant symptoms. Each representative of the fair sex should learn about them and find out how to live with such manifestations.

Menopause in women: what is it?

To begin with, it is worth defining this state of the female body. Menopause in women is the time when the body prepares to move into the next age group. Every month, the female body produces hormones that promote the release of the egg from the ovary. It is worth noting that the number of these reproductive cells is laid down from the moment when the girl is still in the womb. As soon as the amount established by nature ends, the time comes when menopause occurs in women. After her for several years comes menopause.

When does hormonal change occur?

The age of menopause in women is between 40 and 60 years. But sometimes there are exceptions. For example, medicine knows the case when a woman was able to conceive a child at the age of 70 years. This suggests that the number of her eggs in the ovary for some reason was large.

Also, in some cases, early menopause occurs in women. Most often this occurs after various surgical interventions. If for some reason a woman has removed part of the ovary or the entire organ, then menopause will come to her much earlier. Also, menopause in women occurs with the complete simultaneous removal of hormone-producing organs. In this case, it can occur at absolutely any age.

Symptoms of menopause in women

Manifestations of this condition are quite unpleasant. But it is worth saying right away that you can fight them. So, what are the signs of menopause in women can be? Let's look into this in detail.

No menstrual bleeding

The first signs of menopause in women are that menstruation stops. At the very beginning of this process, irregular bleeding may occur. The interval between spotting can be very long. The intensity of menstruation also changes. They can be very plentiful or, conversely, rather scarce.

Menopause in women is always replaced by menopause. During this period, the production of hormones has finally ended, and menstruation does not come at all.

Hot flashes and feeling hot

Other unpleasant signs of menopause in women are hot flashes, fever, and chills. The fair sex in this state often gets hot for no reason. Face and body perspire and blush. Immediately after this, the woman may feel a slight chill. Such a sharp change in sensations causes severe discomfort. It seems to the woman that everyone notices her condition.

Mood changes and irritability

During the period of hormonal changes in the body of a woman, the work of all organs and systems, including the nervous one, is disrupted. With the onset of menopause, a cheerful and cheerful person changes beyond recognition. A woman begins to get annoyed for any reason. She no longer likes the usual colors of clothing, appearance and even the behavior of all household members.

Undoubtedly, all relatives suffer from this condition, since a woman breaks down precisely on them. But it is worth noting that it is the hardest for her. She does not understand why such changes are happening to her, and this upsets her even more.

Very often, during menopause, women turn to neurologists and psychologists with a request to help them. Also, some ladies withdraw into themselves and become depressed. It is absolutely impossible to do so. Currently, the treatment of menopause in women is carried out quite successfully.

Sex characteristics

This condition greatly affects the sexual life of a lady. Allocations in women in menopause become scarce. This is due to the fact that there are no more cyclical changes that affect the functioning of the cervix. As a result of this process, the fairer sex feels dryness in the vagina.

In addition, the lady's sexual desire disappears. She no longer enjoys contact with a man and tries her best to avoid him. It is worth noting that this is often the reason for late divorces. It would seem that people have lived their entire lives soul to soul, and at that age they decided to get a divorce. It turns out that's the reason!

Change in appearance

We have already said that the age of menopause in women can be different. If a lady is over 40 years old, then she is likely to take all the changes that occur with her skin for granted. In the case when this state occurs much earlier, the fair sex is surprised at how quickly her appearance.

To begin with, it is worth saying that in maintaining the elasticity of the skin significant role play estrogen, which produces the pituitary gland. With the cessation of the ovaries, this substance ceases to be excreted. This process greatly affects the condition of the skin. A clear oval of the face is smeared, wrinkles appear under the eyes and in the nasolabial region. The old care products are completely ineffective. A woman is forced to resort to more serious procedures and potent cosmetics. With loss of elasticity, the skin also loses moisture. It becomes dry and constantly peels off. This irritates the woman, and she becomes even more withdrawn and secretive.

Weight gain

At the onset of menopause, almost every woman faces an increase in body weight. At this moment, the lady is perplexed: the food is the same, and the figure on the scales is treacherously growing! Clothes become small, and there is a need to change the wardrobe. What is the reason for such a state?

This is due to the same estrogens and the hormone progesterone. It is the balance of these components that allows the lady to look attractive and maintain her tone. When the production of these substances stops, they begin to accumulate subcutaneous fat and excess fluid. All this leads to the fact that the representative of the weaker sex is recovering greatly.

Hormonal infertility

A completely logical symptom of menopause is the inability to conceive a child. Due to the fact that the eggs are over, and estrogen and progesterone are not produced, the woman becomes infertile.

With the timely onset of menopause, such a sign does not bring the lady any inconvenience. However, in the case of early menopause, the fair sex can suffer greatly due to the inability to conceive a baby.

Gynecological diseases

With the onset of menopause, women may develop various diseases. These include tumors of the uterus and appendages, mammary glands. It should be noted that malignant neoplasms in most cases occur during this period. Do not immediately give up and think that you will definitely have to face these ailments. You need to be examined once every six months and take all the necessary tests. The end of menstruation is not a reason to stop visiting a gynecologist.

How to deal with menopause symptoms?

Currently, there are many ways to get rid of all these terrible manifestations. In most cases, doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy. For example, Femoston tablets and other drugs are used. It is necessary to take such funds daily. They compensate for the lack of estrogen and allow you to get rid of many of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.

If a woman wants to become pregnant, then the best option is in vitro fertilization using a donor egg. In this case, the fair sex can bear and give birth to a baby, but throughout the pregnancy she will have to take hormonal drugs.

If you had to deal with any of the above symptoms, visit a specialist who will select the appropriate treatment and get rid of all the signs of menopause and menopause.

Menopause is a special period in a woman's life, one way or another arising at a certain age. The sexual function of the fair sex fades, age-related changes provoke the involution of libido, prerequisites are formed for the cessation of the regular menstrual cycle, and the ability to have children ceases. What are the signs and symptoms of this process? How to reduce their negative manifestation and live on full life? You will learn about this and much more from our article.

Violation of the menstrual cycle with menopause

The first and most basic symptom of menopause in women is a violation of the regular menstrual cycle with the formation of menopause. In the general medical gradation, this physiological process is divided into three large stages:

1. Premenopause. This is an early period of premenopause, in which ovarian function begins to fade - menstrual cycle becomes irregular, sometimes delayed up to 40–90 days. Its duration is purely individual and depends on the characteristics of the body of the fair sex - usually it is 2–8 years. The ability to conceive is rapidly declining. The final stage of this state is the complete cessation of secretions;
2. Menopause. 12-month period from the date of the last independent menstruation. natural pregnancy no longer possible;
3. Postmenopause. The final stage of a menstrual cycle disorder with a complete cessation of hormone production by the ovaries and a structural change in a number of systems of the female body. Continues after menopause until the death of the fair sex.

It is impossible to avoid or slow down the process of menstrual irregularity if it is caused by natural causes. The exception is cases of artificial menopause caused by pathologies, treatment features and other external factors(except for surgical removal of the ovaries) - with proper therapy, basic function and the menstrual cycle can recover over time.

One of the most striking first symptoms of the premenopausal stage is hot flashes in women. This manifestation is most often diagnosed on the face, but can also spread to the neck, chest, and even lower, down to the waist zone. Hot flashes provoke a rise in temperature, increased heart rate, redness of the skin.

This symptom is more likely to occur during a period of low physical activity- in the evening and at night. According to most modern physicians, the mechanism of its formation is closely related to changes in the hormonal background. A decrease in the concentration of estrogens leads to a slowdown in a number of specific metabolic processes, which in turn potentiates such external manifestations.

As a rule, hot flashes disappear after the end of the premenopause and the body's adaptation to new working conditions. How to reduce such manifestations without the use of non-steroidal analgesics and other medications?

1. Avoid stress. Depression and severe stress provoke a more vivid manifestation of the symptom, even during the daytime. Try to avoid unpleasant situations, and if it happens, calm down as soon as possible;
2. Correct microclimate. Sleep at home with windows open, weather permitting. Try to maintain the temperature in the room no more than 15–18 degrees - too warm a microclimate can provoke an attack of heat on its own;
3. Normalize your diet. Limit the consumption of meat and fried foods, focus on fruits and vegetables. Consume green tea and foods rich in vitamin E - wheat germ, nuts, whole grains;
4. Maintain body tone. For women, moderate physical cardio during the day is recommended;
5. Choose the right clothes. Too tight-fitting and synthetic products should be excluded from the wardrobe, and dress only for the weather.

Insomnia

More than half of all women suffer from insomnia during menopause. Sleep disturbances in this case are physiological in nature and are also associated with hormonal imbalance, while a significant role is assigned to a bad psycho-emotional background. Depression, experiences during this period are increasingly pestering a woman. Her usual circadian rhythms are disturbed, the situation is aggravated by the presence of parallel negative symptoms, snoring is formed, in some cases even OSA syndrome.

How to deal with insomnia during this difficult time for a woman?

1. Strict regime of the day. You need to go to bed and get up at the same time - this is an axiom. It is best to prepare for a night's rest starting at 9 pm, and go to bed by 22 pm - from 11 pm to 1 am the body is actively recovering and resting, it is better that this process occurs in a dream. Try to give up daytime sleep, but increase the duration of the night to the norm at 8 hours;
2. Optimization of external conditions. It is easier and easier to fall asleep in a room with a good microclimate, a temperature of 16–17 degrees and the required level of humidity - to form the latter, regularly ventilate the bedroom or use humidifiers. The bed mattress and pillow must be orthopedic and appropriate in size. Blanket - vegetable filler, bed linen made of natural materials. Remove the TV, computer from the bedroom, cover the windows with opaque thick curtains with good light and sound insulation;
3. Additional relaxation. Go for a half-hour walk outside two hours before bed. For 1 hour - take a warm shower or bath with aromatherapy, it will not be superfluous to massage the whole body.

Shortness of breath and lack of air

An additional negative point can be considered a decrease in the level of secretion and lubrication in the vagina - even if sexual intercourse occurs, the friction of a man can bring not pleasure, but irritation. In addition, lack of lubrication provokes a weakening of the natural local barrier against genital infections.

Possible solutions to problems:

1. Hormonal replacement therapy;
2. The use of artificial lubricants during intercourse;
3. The use of drugs that increase libido;
4. Proper preparation for sex - the use of aromatherapy, appropriate intimate atmosphere.

Other symptoms of menopause

Typical manifestations of menopause also include the following symptoms:

1. Change in posture and osteoporosis. Unpleasant problems with the musculoskeletal system are formed gradually and are subject to effective therapy with timely access to a specialized specialist;
2. Dry eyes, skin. The structure of the epithelium and soft tissues changes rapidly with the onset of menopause. Hair falls out more actively and changes color, deep wrinkles appear, the overall elasticity of the skin decreases. This process can be slowed down by going to healthy eating using cosmetic preparations with a pronounced therapeutic effect, if necessary, having plastic surgery;
3. Frequent urination. Structural changes with menopause, the urinary system, which is associated with reverse processes with the reproductive system, also lends itself. Frequent urges for small needs at night, periodic infections, and other unpleasant pathologies will haunt a woman who does not care about maintaining her own health. In most cases, to solve this problem, complex symptomatic drug therapy is recommended, as well as treatment of secondary background diseases, in parallel with taking hormonal drugs;
4. Frequent mood swings. The disturbed hormonal background not only provokes the physical symptomatic manifestations of menopause, but also affects the psycho-emotional background of a woman. Frequent mood swings, stress, depressive states caused by physiological changes significantly worsen the quality of life. The solution to such problems is not simple and unambiguous - the fair sex needs more rest, to be in the fresh air, to be able to relax. In severe cases, a woman will need the help of a psychologist and the passage of an appropriate course, only in some cases it may be rational to take antidepressants.

Useful video

Symptoms of menopause and menopause in women

The menopausal period, or menopause, occurs with age in the life of every woman due to changes in the hormonal background in her body. All representatives of the fair sex relate to this period in completely different ways. Some take it as a natural transition from fertile period to elderly age, while others become depressed only at the thought of menopause. It is worth noting that menopause, despite the naturalness of its onset, is often accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms that can significantly reduce the quality and standard of a woman's life. But if you notice the symptoms in a timely manner with the onset of menopause and take the necessary measures to mitigate its course, then this period will not seem something terrible, and the woman will be able to survive it, continuing to enjoy life.

The natural transition of the female body from the fertile period to old age with characteristic changes can continue for several years. There are three stages in the development of menopausal changes:

1. premenopausal period, characterized as the beginning of the upcoming menopause, falls on the age period equal to 40-45 years. During this period, changes in the reproductive system of a woman occur, such as a reduction in the menstrual cycle, changes in the nature of menstruation (they become more scarce and irregular), the functionality of the ovaries begins to gradually fade away, and the possibility of pregnancy is significantly reduced.
2. menopausal period characterized by complete cessation of the menstrual cycle and is 12 months after the last menstruation.
3. postmenopausal period- this is the final stage of the menopause, characterized by the complete extinction of the functionality of the ovaries and the lack of the possibility of fertilization.

The onset of menopause may occur in different age categories of women. Its onset as a whole depends on the physiological state of the woman, the hereditary factor and the number of births, abortions and past diseases.

The average age of the onset of menopause is 40-45 years, menopause is considered early, which occurs at 30-35 years, and the late form of menopausal changes - after 55 years.

Signs of menopause

Signs of approaching menopause include:

• The formation of hot flashes, characterized by a sudden onset of a feeling of heat, followed by chills. Hot flashes may be accompanied by dizziness, excessive sweating, migraine, weakness and increased heart rate.
• External changes, characterized by the formation of wrinkles, loss of elasticity of the skin, the occurrence of dryness and brittleness of the hair and nail plates.
• Education pathological changes in skeletal system organism based on low levels of calcium.

The menopause is also characterized by a violation of the normal functionality of the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, the onset of symptoms such as headache, changes in the rhythm of the heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, often signal the approach of the oncoming menopause.

All the changes that occur in the female body are the result of changes in the hormonal background. In a young female body, an important role is assigned to the action of such sex hormones as estrogens and progesterones, which have a direct effect on the intimate sphere of a woman's life and the processes of regeneration and renewal of tissues at the cellular level.

With the onset of the upcoming menopause in the female body, the level of the hormone FSH begins to rise, which helps to reduce the level of estrogen and leads to the aging process.

Methods for determining the beginning menopause

In order to mitigate the course of the menopause and prevent the development of a serious pathology in the body, a woman must take all the necessary measures for this, including not only drug therapy, but regular examinations by relevant specialists.

To detect the onset of menopause, testing is carried out to determine the level of follicle-stimulating hormone. With the onset of menopause in women, its content in the body increases markedly in comparison with the fertile period.

In the case when the initial signs of the menopause have already appeared in the woman's body, but the menstrual cycle still prevails, then testing is carried out in several stages. The first test for FSH is done in the first week after the start of menstrual flow. The second test is carried out after 7 days. The third test is a control test and is best done in a month. If during each test it is noted high level the content of follicle-stimulating hormone in the urine, then this is evidence of the onset of menopause in women.

In the event that the menstrual cycle began to change and the nature of the menstrual flow became irregular and scarce, the first test can be carried out at an arbitrary time, and the next two tests every 7 days from the first test.

Symptoms of the onset of menopause

Usually, the primary symptoms that herald the onset of menopause are mild, which contributes to the fact that women, in most cases, simply do not notice them, referring to physical fatigue.

Moreover, the first manifestations of menopausal changes are easily confused with the development of any pathological process. Appearing heat throughout the body and increased sweating in combination with other symptomatic manifestations, comorbidities are often referred to. But among the symptoms that characterize the onset of menopause, the following manifestations are noted:

• increased feeling of irritability;
• the appearance of headaches;
• sleep disturbance and insomnia;
• feeling of ache in the joints;
• feeling of heaviness in the head;
• increased weakness with rapid fatigue;
• increased anxiety;
• violation of the rhythm of the heartbeat and blood pressure;
• decreased sexual activity and attraction to a sexual partner;
• urinary incontinence;
• changes in the nature of the stool.

Among other things, the signs that indicate that the menopause is approaching include psycho-emotional disorders of the central nervous system. Characterized by the appearance of frequent depressive states, giving way to tearfulness or increased aggression.

It is important to know: sometimes the symptoms described above can appear already from the age of 35.

Violations of thermoregulatory processes that occur against the background of a decrease in the functionality of the central departments in the hypothalamus contribute to the occurrence of hot flashes. Also characteristic symptom menopause is the occurrence of dryness in the vaginal area, which is the main cause of the development of pathological processes of various etiologies in the genital system.

Reasons for approaching menopause

1. The earlier onset of menstrual flow, which falls on the age group of girls under the age of 12, is a direct prerequisite for the fact that menopause in these representatives fair half humanity will begin in more early age than usual (33-37 years).
2. Also an important role in approaching the onset of menopausal changes in the body is played by heredity and the lifestyle that a woman leads. The impact on the body of regular stressful situations, physical and emotional overload, adverse environmental conditions and bad habits contribute to the fastest decrease in the reproductive functionality of the body and the extinction of the ovaries.

Factors such as:

• oral contraceptives;
• long-term use of hormone-containing drugs;
• the presence of a pathological process in the genital area, thyroid or pancreas;
• decrease in the overall level immune system body protection;
• the occurrence of diseases of an infectious or oncological nature.

It is important to remember that earlier onset of menopausal changes can provoke the development of such pathological processes as diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as the appearance of malignant neoplasms. Therefore, it is extremely important to carry out preventive measures and start the treatment of menopause in a timely manner.

Prevention

As preventive measures aimed at preventing the early onset of menopausal changes are:

• Regular check-ups by appropriate specialists - every 6 months.
• Timely treatment of pathological processes that have arisen in the endocrine and gynecological system of organs.
• The correct attitude to taking hormone-containing drugs.
• General hardening.
• Balanced diet.
• Moderate physical activity.
• Regular intercourse.

When the first symptoms appear, signaling the possible onset of menopause, it is necessary to immediately contact a qualified specialist to establish the causes that provoke the onset of menopausal changes and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment of early menopause may consist of taking hormone-containing, fortified and restorative drugs.

Especially for women of elegant age who want to keep up with the times, maintaining an impeccable appearance and an enviable vitality, American scientists have developed a unique non-hormonal biocomplex Lady's Formula Menopause Enhanced Formula. All its components are safe because they are natural and carry the power of nature itself.

Complex of 5 extracts medicinal plants supplemented with vitamins and minerals for enhanced and longer lasting action. For example, extracts of angelica, red clover and sacred vitex are helped folic acid. And in order for the body to have strength, the extract of maitake mushrooms comes to the aid of selenium. To activate the metabolism and prevent the set excess weight vitamins of group B are added to help the maitake mushroom extract. Together with maca root, vitamin E eliminates urogenital disorders and improves skin condition. Forget about age, let only your passport remember it.

Informative video on this topic: