The signs of menopause include a variety of complaints affecting many body systems. How a single event–shutting down of ovarian production of sex hormones–so dramatically influences our body, is a validation of the important role played by hormones.
The following symptoms are all associated with the transition from child bearing to post child bearing years. Their order has no particular meaning except for hot flashes and night sweats, which is the most common complaint women voice with regard to menopause.
Hot flashes and night sweats
One of the first signs that you are entering perimenopause (the two to five year period before your menstrual periods stop) is the onset of hot flashes and sweats. Hot flashes and sweats affect 75-80% of Western women as they transition out of childbearing into menopause.
I have discussed hot flashes and sweats at length since it is a major complaint of women in transition. More information on hot flashes and sweats and natural remedies for them can be found through the link at the end of this article.
But there are many other signs that menopause is approaching, or that you are in perimenopause. These bodily changes are a result of falling levels of key hormones produced by the ovaries. As the body and brain adjust to falling levels of hormones many of the body’s organ systems and functions are affected.
The symptoms listed below are all signs that ovarian production of hormones is decreasing. They may or may not be a part of a woman’s transition.
In fact, women in other parts of the world don’t experience nearly the number of ill effects when transitioning through menopause. This is due to many variables, but particularly to diet and lifestyle. For instance only 10 to 15 percent of Japanese women report experiencing hot flashes and sweats.
Here are some of the symptomatic complaints experienced in transition, over and above hot flashes and sweats.
Erratic menstrual periods
One of the first clues that you are entering perimenopause is erratic menstrual periods. Even if your periods have always been regular, as your ovaries begin to shut down secretion of estrogen and progesterone, your periods will probably become irregular. It is possible to experience spotting and even heavy bleeding for a couple of days in between menstrual periods. Other women experience very light, short periods. Periods can lengthen to every three months or more.
Heavy bleeding during periods is another problem experienced during perimenopause. Bleeding can sometimes continue for days. Erratic secretion of estrogen and progesterone is the cause. Often progesterone levels drop before estrogen does. This results in what is referred to as “unopposed estrogen” meaning that the effects of estrogen are no longer balanced by the rhythmic cycling of progesterone. During the menstrual cycle estrogen stimulates the buildup of the lining of the uterus. This endometrial lining is then sloughed off during the period. When estrogen is unopposed, the lining of the uterus builds up more than usual, resulting in more material to be sloughed off, and thus a heavier and longer period.
Depression, irritability and anxiety
The symptoms of perimenopause can be stressful and unnerving. Hot flashes and sweats are unpredictable and can be embarrassing. They also result in lost sleep. More than 40% of women also report physical and mental exhaustion during perimenopause and menopause. These complaints can be part of a vicious cycle wherein hot flashes disrupt sleep and sleep loss contributes to problems with one’s energy levels, with fatigue, and even memory and concentration. A natural consequence is frequently feelings of depression. Feeling down, sad, on the verge of tears, having no drive and frequent mood swings can all be due to depression. Irritability and anxiety are also frequent complaints in perimenopause. Feelings of nervousness, aggression and inner tension are common. Feelings of anxiety are often associated with hot flashes.
Sleep problems
Between 40 and 60% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women report sleep problems. In many cases difficulty sleeping is due to hot flashes and night sweats which disrupt sleep. Sometimes the insomnia is due to anxiety which is another common complaint in perimenopause. During the transition to menopause one’s sleep patterns often change, and the insomnia associated with this time period may be due to a changing sleep pattern.
Headaches
Migraine headaches can begin to occur during perimenopause. The cause is attributed to fluctuating levels of hormones which impact a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This part of the brain is involved in many core body functions, including temperature control, blood pressure, etc. Constriction and dilation of blood vessels throughout the body is in part regulated by the hypothalamus. Migraine headaches are what is called a vascular headache, meaning that they result from excessive constriction/dilation of blood vessels in the head. When hypothalamic regulation of blood vessels falters, migraine headaches can result.
Heart problems
In this case “heart problems” does not refer to a heart failure, heart attack or coronary thrombosis. The heart problems associated with perimenopause refers to a feeling of discomfort in the heart. The Menopause Rating Scale describes heart problems as “unusual awareness of heart beat, heart skipping, heart racing, or heart tightness”. Remember that during perimenopause it is the fluctuating levels of key hormones in the body that causes problems. A core part of the brain that regulates many body functions, the hypothalamus, is responsible. One of the functions of the hypothalamus is to control the body’s stress response. The stress response is responsible for mobilizing the body for action. This includes increasing blood pressure, muscle tone and heart rate. As the hypothalamus becomes erratic in its regulation of the stress response, symptoms such as a racing heart are experienced. These heart problems are not a danger to ones survival, but can be unnerving to experience.
Vaginal dryness and sexual problems
A decrease in the normal vaginal discharge can be the first sign of perimenopause. The lining of the vagina is sensitive to estrogen which maintains its health, strength and thickness. When estrogen levels drop a decrease in natural vaginal lubrication can occur. More than 30% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness and the other symptoms of menopause contribute to loss of libido or sexual desire and to sexual problems as well. One may experience itching and discomfort in the vaginal area, and local pain during intercourse. The drop in estrogen levels also impacts the pH of the vagina. A low pH (acid environment) helps protects against vaginal infections. With the drop in estrogen levels and loss of acid protection, more frequent vaginal infections may result. While many of these symptoms of perimenopausal and menopause improve or disappear with time, vaginal dryness can continue indefinitely.
Bladder problems
The tissues lining the bladder are also sensitive to estrogen, which also maintains their strength, thickness and health. Fifteen percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women experience an increase in vaginal and bladder infections. Frequent and painful urination, increased frequency of urination during the night and a feeling of needing to urinate even when the bladder is empty are associated symptoms.
Joint and muscle pain and stiffness
Some studies have reported that joint and muscle aches and pain are a more common complaint than hot flashes in some groups of perimenopausal women. Back pain and stiffness is often reported in more than 50% of perimenopausal and menopausal women. Joint pain, muscle soreness and stiffness not attributable to injury or other causes is also a frequent complaint.
Natural remedies for menopause complaints.
Numerous natural remedies for menopause complaints have been documented. Because of the risk factors now associated with hormone replacement therapy, knowing and using these natural remedies are the key to getting relief.
0 comments:
Post a Comment