During menopause, women's bodies begin to change, as their ovaries slow in producing the
hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menstruation also slows down, and eventually stops as well. Although menopause can occur at any age, the normal timeframe is between 50 and 54.
Menopause is a normal part of aging and happens to all women. If for some reason, a woman has to have her ovaries surgically removed, she will go into early menopause. If her uterus is removed and not her ovaries, she won't havemenopausal symptoms yet. This is because her ovaries will still be making estrogen and progesterone.
Menopause creates a number of symptoms that a woman may not be conscious of at first. The menstrual cycle will be affected by the diminishing production of the two hormones, and will most likely be completely unpredictable. For example she may experience heavy flow one month and light spotting when her next period shows up.
There are a number of symptoms that start manifesting as she begins to enter the various phases of menopause:
1. Hot flashes
2. Irritability
3. Sweating at odd times
4. Sleep disturbances
5. Vaginal dryness that can lead to sexual and urinary discomfort
6. Mood swings that may include anger and depression
7. Hair growth on the face, arms, chest and stomach
8. Memory problems and difficulty with concentration
9. Low frustration level, affecting her whole mood
The best advice for a middle-aged woman is to look for information on menopause. The more she knows about it, the more she will know what to expect and how to cope with it. She will also feel less alone in the world when the symptoms appear.
A well balanced diet and an exercise program are vital in minimizing the effects of menopause. When a woman who is experiencing menopause takes care of her body through good nutrition she has a better chance of experiencing minimal symptoms of menopause. Vitamins and minerals taken as supplements are also an important part of easing the symptoms of menopause. Some women who are experiencing severe menopause may need to think about hormone replacement therapy to help ease the symptoms. It is important that menopausal woman contact their doctors on a regular basis so that they can be aware of any physical changes in their body that are not menopause related. It may be of benefit for some women to join some type of support group to help them deal with the changes to their lives as they learn to live with menopause.