Menopause|Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is not a disease or an illness that many people perceive. In reality, it is a transition between two phases of a woman's life. Menopause occurs when a woman permanently stops menstruating (having periods).

Many women experience a range of various symptoms as a result of the hormonal changes associated with the transition through menopause. Around the time of menopause, women often lose bone density and their cholesterol may worsen, increasing their risk of heart disease.

Premature menopause: If menopause occurs in a woman younger than 40 years, it is considered premature. Menopause is considered late if it occurs in a woman older than 55 years. For most women, menopause is a normal occurrence and should not be treated as a disease.
Perimenopause: The hormonal changes associated with menopause actually begin prior to the last menstrual period, during a 3- to 5-year period called perimenopause. During this transition, women may begin to experience menopausal symptoms and may lose bone density, even though they are still menstruating.
Surgical menopause: Surgical menopause is the process of removal of the ovaries. Women who have had surgical menopause have an increased early heart risks and often experience menopausal symptoms, unless they are given medication.

Diagnosis Medical history: Your doctor will take a complete medical history. Diagnosis, You may be asked to provide the following information:

Menopause is not a disease therefore there cannot have definitive cures or treatments. Health care providers, however, can offer a variety of treatments for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that become troublesome. Many prescription medications exist to prevent and control high cholesterol and bone loss, which can occur at menopause. Some women do not need therapy and some may choose not to take medications at all during their menopausal years.

Black cohosh (Remifemin) is a commonly used herbal supplement that is believed to reduce hot flashes. However, small German studies that tested black cohosh only followed women over a short time period. One should be very careful while using such herbs. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, visual problems, slow heartbeat, and excessive sweating.

Inconclusive and conflicting studies indicate that other herbals, such as dong quai, red clover (Promensil), chasteberry (Vitex), yam cream, Chinese medicinal herbs, and evening primrose oil, must be avoided with care under the supervision of a medical representative to avoid unwanted and dangerous side effects and interactions.

Menopause cannot be prevented; however, steps can be taken to help reduce the risk factors for other problems related to menopause. At a 1994 National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference, the recommendation was made that postmenopausal women not on estrogen therapy consume 1,500 mg of calcium daily to prevent loss of bone mineral density. Women on estrogen therapy should consume at least 1,000 mg of calcium each day.