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Understanding Your Body
The purpose of the menstrual cycle is to prepare a woman for pregnancy through the following hormonal steps:
- The pituitary gland near the brain releases a chemical called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH causes an egg to mature in the ovary and signals the production of estrogen.
- Estrogen stimulates the lining of uterus to thicken, creating an acceptable environment for a potential fertilized egg.
- The pituitary gland releases another chemical called luteinizing hormone (LH). LH causes the egg to be released from the ovary and travel to the uterus (in anticipation of being fertilized).
- Meanwhile, the part of the ovary from which the egg was released (the corpus luteum) begins to produce progesterone.
- Progesterone continues to stabilize the lining of the uterus and readies it for implantation of a fertilized egg.
- If the egg is not fertilized, it will not implant and progesterone is no longer produced. Without progesterone, the lining of the thickened uterus begins to shed and leads to menses. Thus, one cycle ends and another begins.
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Definition :
Menopause is defined as the cessation of menses for at least 12 consecutive months. It often occurs between ages 45 to 55 when there is inadequate production of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. Menopause marks the beginning of a new phase in a woman’s life.
What is PRE-Menopause?
Premenopause is when menses will still occur but the body is deficient in progesterone. This can start as early as the mid-30s. Symptoms may include fibroids, tender or lumpy breasts, endometriosis, PMS, difficulty conceiving, migraines or headaches, memory loss, foggy thinking, heavy or light periods, depression and irritability. These are often attributed to the lack of progesterone, which is needed to balance the strong effects of estrogen.
What is PERI-Menopause?
This is the transition before the onset of menopause, usually 3 to 5 years prior. A woman may still have menses, but her estrogen levels can swing from very high to extremely low, fluctuating so much that her cycle becomes erratic. This can lead to times when there is no bleeding, or other times of heavy bleeding accompanied by severe cramps. Generally, when estrogen levels are too high, a woman experiences enlarged and tender breasts, bloating and irritability. When estrogen levels plummet, she may have confused thinking, lack of concentration, memory difficulties and vaginal dryness.
What is POST-Menopause ?
These are the years following menopause. During this time, a woman's body settles into a lower estrogen state. Hormone production from the ovaries continues to decline and may eventually become non-existent.
What is Premature Menopause ?
Some women may undergo full onset of menopause before the age of 40. Women at risk for this include those with inactive or removed ovaries, suppressed pituitary gland, or those with certain autoimmune diseases.
How do I know if I’m menopausal ?
Menopause is diagnosed retrospectively after 12 months without a period. The period leading up to that time, called perimenopause, can begin up to five years or more earlier. Although a woman may still have a menstrual cycle during perimenopause, she may experience symptoms very similar to those of menopause. A blood test or saliva test can
measure hormone levels.
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Symptoms:
Symptoms may include:
- Hot flashes
- Cold sweats
- Weight gain
- Rheumatic pains
- Cold hands and feet
- Breast pains
- Headaches
- Numbness and tingling
- Skin crawls
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain with intercourse
- Urinary difficulty including recurrent bladder infections
- Feelings of suffocation
- Heart pounding
- Dizzy spells
- Pressure or tightness in head or body
- Fatigue
- Irritability and nervousness
- Depression
- Forgetfulness
- Sleeplessness
- Inability to concentrate
- Crying spells
- Panic attacks
- Loss of interest in typical activities
- Tension
- Needless worry
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Treatment:
Many women have been treated with synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). That method recently came under fire, however: part of a large, clinical trial of synthetic HRT in post-menopausal women conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was stopped early when it showed an increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots, heart disease, and strokes in women using Prempro™ (a combination of estrogen and progestin). Alternatives include the use of biologically identical hormones and proper nutritional support.
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