What is menopause?
menopausal menopause is the period that ends a woman's reproductive phase. Menopause begins at the end of menstruation. Over time, the ovaries gradually lose the ability to produce estrogen and progesterone, hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. As estrogen production decreases, ovulation and menstruation occur very often, and eventually stop. Menstruation can be stopped early due to illness or a hysterectomy. In these cases we speak of induced menopause.

In Europe and North America, menopause usually happens when a woman is around 51-52 years old. Menopause can happen but sometimes as early as 40. The age and menopausal symptoms also have a strong genetic influence. As a rule of thumb, women who began menstruation early is more likely to experience menopause earlier.

Perimenopause is the period of gradual changes leading to menopause. Some women may experience perimenopause at age 35. Perimenopause can take several months or even years. During perimenopause, the speed is reduced estrogen production and levels in the same range. This causes symptoms similar to puberty, but more intense. Postmenopause is the period after menopause.


The symptoms of menopause
The symptoms of menopause are so different and individual women. Some experience symptoms that her friends never do. The duration and severity of symptoms vary. Menopause is a natural part of life for all women suffer, some with more difficulty than others. But one thing that all women have in common is the ability to identify options on how to deal with their menopause symptoms. Around the Western world 12% of women experience no menopausal symptoms, and approximately 14% experience intense physical or emotional problems.

     * The psychological symptoms of menopause
       The anxieties, difficulty concentrating, overreacting to minor problems, easy irritability, forgetfulness and mood swings are typical psychological problems. Studies indicate that many cases of depression relate more to the circumstances of menopause itself. Other events, such as care for elderly relatives, retirement, divorce or widowhood, children growing and leaving the house occur around the time of menopause. Also, some problems may be caused indirectly due to the disruption of sleep. To address emotional symptoms you should exercise regularly. This will help maintain your hormonal balance and preserving bone strength. Talking with other women, who are going through menopause, can help with emotional symptoms. Women approaching menopause often complain of memory loss and inability to concentrate.

     * Hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms
       The heats are the symptom of menopause. Flashes can start 4 years before the end of menstruation, but they still usually a year or two after menopause. The heats are sudden waves of body heat, usually on the face or chest. They may be accompanied by palpitations, sweating, chills or night sweats. The heat causes changes in the control of body temperature.

     * Disrupted sleep
       During menopause you may experience insomnia or disturbed sleep. These can take many forms, including difficulty falling asleep or waking up at night. Menopause can lead to daytime fatigue.

     * Sexual problems and genital
       Vaginal dryness and less elastic tissue are common problems of menopause, an effect due to decreased estrogen levels. Vaginal dryness can cause irritation and pain during intercourse. The interest in mating may decline and is also very common failure to reach orgasm. Vaginal lubricants can make intercourse less painful.

     * Urinary problems
       Incontinence increases with age and there is evidence that estrogen loss plays an important role. During menopause, the tissues in the urinary tract also change, sometimes leaving women more susceptible to involuntary loss of urine, particularly if certain chronic illnesses or urinary infections are also present. Exercise, coughing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or similar movements that put pressure on the bladder and can make them small amounts of urine escape. Lack of regular exercise can contribute to this condition. It is important to know that bladder training is a simple and effective treatment for most cases.