Menopause brings significant changes to women, such as the cessation of menstrual cycles. This condition can make women anxious about the changes that occur compared to their reproductive years. You can stay radiant during menopause by understanding the stages, symptoms, and how to manage them before it's too late.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural phase in women that marks the permanent end of the menstrual cycle. Menopause is the end of a woman's menstrual cycle, characterized by the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months, caused by a decrease in hormone production from the ovaries. According to a WHO article, the regularity and duration of a woman's menstrual cycle vary throughout her reproductive years, but generally, women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.
Causes of Menopause
Menopause can occur due to natural factors, medical factors or lifestyle factors:
Natural Aging of the Ovaries
The main factors of menopause are irregular menstrual cycles, which can even lead to their complete cessation. This is due to hormonal issues, a continuous decrease in the number of eggs in the ovaries, and a gradual decline in ovarian function.
Genetic Factors
A woman's menopause age can be determined by genetic or hereditary factors. It often resembles that experienced by her mother or sister.
Certain Medical Conditions and Procedures
Certain autoimmune diseases or genetic disorders can disrupt ovarian function, such as premature ovarian insufficiency. According to the WHO, some women experience menopause earlier (before 40), which may be caused by certain chromosomal abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, or other unknown causes.
Medical procedures such as hysterectomy can also accelerate menopause, especially those involving the removal of the ovaries. This procedure stops hormone production, causing the patient to experience menopause immediately.
Lifestyle
Unhealthy lifestyles, such as poor nutrition, prolonged stress, extreme weight gain, or frequent smoking and alcohol consumption, which accelerate the decline in ovarian function, can affect a woman's reproductive hormone balance.
Menopause Stages
Menopause is not a sudden process but rather goes through several phases or stages, namely:
Perimenopause
It generally begins in the late 40s but can be earlier. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles. They can be shorter or longer and can even occur in skipped months.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when menstruation stops for 12 consecutive months, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. Hormone production decreases significantly at this point, resulting in a complete cessation of fertility. Menopause symptoms can include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats and insomnia
- Mood swings or emotional irritability
- Decreased libido and intimate dryness
- You can detect these symptoms early if you notice them or consult a doctor.
Postmenopause
It begins just after menopause. General symptoms begin to reduce, although some women may experience symptoms for several years. However, certain health risks, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and metabolic changes, may increase due to the continued decline in estrogen throughout life.
How to Cope with Menopause
You can maintain a glow and confidence during menopause as you enter this new phase. Here are some ways to achieve a glow during menopause:
- Manage your diet. Consume foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, vegetables, and protein to maintain bone and metabolic health.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise can maintain hormonal balance, help improve sleep quality, and help maintain weight during menopause, as weight gain is common during menopause.
- Manage stress by practicing yoga, meditation, or taking time for "me time", which can help maintain emotional balance. Avoiding stress also helps your facial skin look fresher.
- Consult a doctor. If you have persistent menopausal symptoms, consult a doctor about hormone therapy or other alternatives as needed.
Menopause is a new chapter in a woman's life. Rather than being taboo, this phase is important to recognize so every woman can prepare physically and emotionally. MenoCare services at akasia 365mc are here to help you understand yourself better. You can consult with a nutritionist about lifestyle and proper diet and even learn more about your genetics with DNAkasia365 Nutrigenomics. Click this link to learn more about akasia 365mc's services.
