Menopause and its Symptoms

The menopause and its symptoms are a part of the female lifecycle that every woman goes through. Usually occurring at around 40 years of age, it is, quite literally, the cessation of ovulation. In these modern times, however, the very meaning of the menopause has been lost, and modern feelings towards the menopause lead most women to mourn this loss in the same way one would mourn a lost child. This can lead to not only increased physical symptoms, but also the emotional anxiety felt by most women during this period.

Both the menopause, and its symptoms, varies greatly from woman to woman, but the main symptoms include:

· Hot flushes
· Sweating at night
· Vaginal dryness
· Mood swings
· Decline in libido
· Ageing/dry skin
· Lethargy
· Joint pains
· Weight gain
· Headaches
· Osteoporosis

The physical symptoms are mainly caused by the changing amount of oestrogen in the body, and the increased amount of FSH. These symptoms can last for varied amounts of time, but many women say that staying as emotionally calm as possible can help reduce not only the length, but the severity of any symptoms.

The adrenal glands in a woman’s body will start producing a new chemical – oestrone – during this time, in an attempt to replace the oestrogen no longer being released into the body, and oestrogen is also produced in fatty cells, so being very slim can make the menopause and its symptoms harder to cope with.

Diet is also important during the menopause. A well balanced diet can help the adrenal glands and fatty cells with the production of the necessary hormones. Calcium and magnesium are important nutrients to include in your diet to reduce the risk of the bone disease osteoporosis.
Some women may like to consider trying a number of natural remedies to help with the symptoms of the menopause. Women who live in countries such as Japan where they consume large amount of soy related products, do not experience as many problems with the menopause as do women who live in affluent northern countries. Some of these remedies include bio identical hormone replacement therapy and black cohosh.

One thing a lot of menopausal women say brings the most anxiety, is the thought that their partner or male friends will find them less attractive. A menopausal woman is, to put it in its most literal sense, losing the ability to breed. Think carefully about this, however, and you will realise that this is no reason to feel unattractive. To most men, this is far from the truth. A post menopausal woman can give a man something that younger women never can – a 100% fear free sexual relationship. Assuming you and your partner don’t want children (or more if you already have them!) you can relax, knowing that the rest of your sexual life can be as exciting as you like, without the fear of accidental pregnancy.

In many cultures, the menopause and its symptoms are regarded differently to how it is in the West. Some see it as a time of change for the better; others just as another phase of the female lifecycle, and interestingly these women tend to have a much easier time coping with the menopause and its symptoms.

This is perhaps because they have no reason to fear a change that to them, is not the beginning of the end, but a completely new beginning. In many cultures, it is a time when women are seen to have great wisdom, a love for life, and the ability to help younger couples cope with the stress of every day life.

Maybe if the West could adopt the same way of thinking, and the same acceptance for such a natural occurrence, they too could find this transition from youthful, child-bearing woman, to wise, counselling, and caring mother figure, to be a much easier time.