Menopause: What is it?

Menopause is the time in the life of a woman who says the end of her childbearing years. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing eggs, menstrual activity changes and eventually stops, while production by the body of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone decreases.

The causes

Although menopause actually occurs at the end of last period of a woman, her installation is confirmed only when it had no menstruation for 12 months. In general, women have menopause between 40 and 55 years - sometimes before, sometimes after.

Early menopause occurs before age 40 years and is generally the result of a genetic predisposition or autoimmune disorder.

Triggered menopause is the result of medical intervention such as ovarian ablation or hysterectomy (the uterus is removed but not the ovaries).

Symptoms

Symptoms vary from woman to woman. They can be mild, moderate or high.

•     hot flashes (a sudden feeling of heat, with redness)
•     fatigue
•     irritability
•     insomnia
•     nervousness
•     night sweats
•     irregular menstruation
•     sensations of dizziness and tingling (tingling)
•     loss of bladder control
•     inflammation of the bladder or vagina
•     pain during intercourse because of vaginal dryness
•     joint and muscle pain
•     change in sex drive

The diagnosis

In general, the doctor diagnosed menopause after reviewing the medical history of a woman and performed a physical examination. For example, a Papanicolaou (Pap smears) can show that there is a change in the vaginal mucosa due to lower estrogen levels. Of blood and urine tests may be performed to measure levels of estrogen and progesterone.