menopause - 2 important information

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural stage in every woman's life that marks the end of her menstrual periods and the decrease in the production of female sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. A woman then loses the ability to get pregnant. For many women, this is a stage when they can enjoy sex without the stress of getting pregnant, but also a period of bothersome symptoms, both physical and psychological. Menopause usually occurs in middle age, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, although the age of menopause can vary.

Menopause - how long does it last ?

Menopause can be divided into several stages:

Perimenopause: This is the period of several years preceding menopause, during which a woman experiences a gradual decline in the production of sex hormones. During this time, she may experience irregular periods, as well as symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, and more.

Menopause: This is when a woman stops having menstrual periods for at least a year. At this point, estrogen and progesterone production are greatly reduced.

Postmenopause: This is the period after menopause. A woman remains in postmenopause for the rest of her life. During this period, she may continue to experience symptoms related to hormone deficiency, such as bone loss, dry skin, urinary changes, and more.

How menopause affects the body

This period in a woman's life has a significant impact on the body due to the hormonal changes that accompany this process. What might a woman feel during menopause?:

Experiencing changes in menstrual cycles. During perimenopause and menopause, a woman experiences irregularities in her menstrual cycle until periods eventually stop altogether.

Hot flashes are a common symptom. Women experience sudden hot flashes, often accompanied by sweating and rapid heartbeat.

Mood changes whose source cannot be identified. A woman in menopause may experience irritability, anxiety, emotional swings, and even depression.

Libido decreases, which is why some women experience less desire for sex during menopause.

Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep affects 40% to 60% of women. In addition, there is night sweats and often interrupted sleep.

During this period, vaginal dryness increases: The quality of vaginal mucus depends on estrogen secretion and is very sensitive to the decrease in this hormone. The amount of mucus gradually decreases and it loses its viscosity. This can lead to discomfort during sexual intercourse.

There is also a deterioration of the complexion and hair. There may be a loss of elasticity, firmness and moisture. The hair usually becomes thinner and less dense.

About 70% of women experience weight gain during this period due to hormonal imbalances and slower metabolism. This is usually visible around the belly and breasts.

Increased risk of osteoporosis due to decreased estrogen levels. This can lead to bone loss.

Cardiovascular changes. Lack of estrogen can affect the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Urinary changes. Urinary changes, such as urinary incontinence, may occur.

However, remember that symptoms and their intensity vary between women. Not every woman experiences all of the symptoms. Some women may experience them mildly, while others may have more severe symptoms. If you are having difficulty, it is important to consult a doctor. Symptom treatment is usually tailored to the individual needs of the woman and may include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), dietary changes and the use of appropriately selected supplements. Increasingly, we are also using the support of a psychotherapist.

Menopause - where to get information - research

It is not a disease, it is a natural period in a woman's life.

If you are experiencing symptoms that are bothersome to you, you can consult with several types of doctors. Depending on which symptoms bother you the most, seek support from the following doctors:

Primary care physician: Consult if you are having trouble managing your symptoms. Your GP will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Gynecologist: Consult a doctor especially if you experience problems with your menstrual cycles, vaginal dryness, or other gynecological problems.

Endocrinologist: Consult for hormonal issues. An endocrinologist can help monitor hormone levels and advise on hormone therapy, if indicated.

Psychotherapist or psychologist: Consult them if you experience mood disorders, suspect depression or feel that something disturbing is happening to you.

It is worth starting with a visit to your family doctor, who will order basic tests and refer you to a specialist.

Check out menopausal care

During this period, you should choose creams that thicken the skin, e.g. creams with the reishi ingredient.