Menopause, also known as the climacteric, is the time in most women's lives when menstrual periods stop permanently, and she is no longer able to have children. Menopause typically occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. Medical professionals often define menopause as having occurred when a woman has not had any vaginal bleeding for a year. It may also be defined by a decrease in hormone production by the ovaries. In those who have had surgery to remove the uterus but still have ovaries, menopause may be viewed to have occurred at the time of the surgery or when hormone levels fall. Following the removal of the uterus, symptoms typically occur earlier at the average of 45 years of age.
Natural menopause is not brought on by any type of medical or surgical treatment. The process is gradual and has three stages:
Most women approaching menopause will have hot flashes, a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body, often with blushing and some sweating. The severity of hot flashes varies from mild in most women to severe in others.
Other common symptoms around the time of menopause include:
Not all women get all of these symptoms.
Other signs of menopause are classified as Immediate (Decline in fertility & menstrual irregularities, Vasomotor, Psychological, Urinary, Local), Intermediate (Genital, Skin & Hair, Musculoskeletal, Sexual disturbances, Ocular, Weight Gain) and Late symptoms (Osteoporosis, Cardiovascular).
Osteoporosis is a disease where decreased bone strength increases the risk of a broken bone. It is the most common reason for a broken bone among people who are old.[1] Bones that commonly break include the back bones, the bones of the forearm, and the hip.[2] Until a broken bone occurs there are typically no symptoms. Bones may weaken to such a degree that a break may occur with minor stress or spontaneously. Chronic pain and a decreased ability to carry out normal activities may occur following a broken bone.
Unomodifiable factors - Female sex, premature menopause, late menarche, short stature, slender build, ethnic origin, nulliparity, family history of osteoporosis, fair skin.
Potentially modifiable factors - Smoking, Physical inactivity, Low dietary calcium, Low Vitamin D, Alcohol intake, Caffeine intake, Estrogen deficiency, Hyperthyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism, Hyperadrenalism, Anticoagulant therapy, Glucocorticoid use.
Post menopause women need 1000-1200 mg of elemental calcium and 800-1000 IU of Vitamin D. Resistance and strength training are factors that help fight osteoporosis.
K.M SPECIALITY HOSPITAL &
Bloom – Centre for Woman & Child Wellness
No. 453/454, R.K. Shanmugam Salai, K.K. Nagar,
Chennai - 600 078
