2023 Author: Gabrielle Mercer | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 12:25
Menopause, climacteric - what awaits us women in the years around the last menstruation. And how we can better cope with this phase of life.
We already have a bit of jitters before that, before the hormonal change around the age of 50. Because during the menopause there are physical and psychological changes in many ways. And then there are the typical symptoms: hot flashes, bad moods, insomnia and (oh god!) Weight gain.
But we can calm down: every woman experiences this time of upheaval differently and not necessarily negatively. In addition, menopause is a part of life, much like puberty. So repression is pointless. Instead, we should use the time to live healthier and more harmoniously with ourselves.
When does menopause start?
Most women "catch" it between the ages of 45 and 55. Some a little earlier, others later. A very early occurrence of menopause - as the time of the last menstruation and thus the end of fertility is called - can be hereditary or triggered by heavy smoking, diabetes, thyroid disease or malnutrition.
However, various stressors can also trigger a premature decrease in female sex hormones in the blood and thus the menopause - such as deaths, divorce, and occupational stress. In short: extreme stress.
How do I recognize menopause?
At the beginning the menstrual periods become more irregular, sometimes they occur more frequently, sometimes they don't, sometimes they are weaker and then again extraordinarily strong. At this point, caution is required! Because if the period is much heavier than usual and if this is not an isolated case, it is essential to seek gynecological advice, as this could also be due to other causes.
Otherwise it is not necessary to consult a doctor acutely - menopause is something that women have always been through and not a state of illness.
Why do menopause symptoms occur?
Estrogens are one of the female sex hormones that are formed in the ovary depending on the cycle and sometimes play an important role in a woman's functioning cycle. The estrogen level drops alternately. The result is not only missed periods, but estrogens also have a general effect on the metabolism. Because of the menopause, the risk of osteoporosis increases for many women, blood pressure can rise, some suffer from hormone-related weight gain - the risk of diabetes also increases.
Some women also complain of palpitations, dizziness, poor sleep, poor performance, quick irritability, hot flashes and sweats, and pain during sex due to a dry vagina. Some suffer terribly, others have no complaints at all.
Hormone Treatment for Menopause - Yes or No?
In the 1990s, hormonal drugs were prescribed almost like candy for menopausal women. The hormones should not only fight the symptoms, but also protect against diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, thrombosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, incontinence, cancer and diabetes.
The first very sobering studies were published around ten years ago. Because the hormone preparations sometimes even triggered the opposite of the promised result: the risk of thrombosis rose, the risk of breast cancer was increased, the risk of heart attack was not reduced, the risk of strokes increased. In addition, women who took hormone preparations suffered more from urinary incontinence and poor memory and perception.
However, the menopausal symptoms are best treated with hormones - and the risk of osteoporosis, colon cancer and diabetes has also been reduced. The recently published long-term results of the studies confirm the earlier results. A certain group of women may benefit from an early start and short duration of treatment.
Conclusion: Hormone preparations should really only be prescribed when the psychological strain is particularly great.
What alternative treatment methods are there?
Soy, red clover and other plants contain estrogen-like substances called "phytoestrogens" which are supposed to counteract menopausal symptoms in a natural way. However, some studies have shown that these have the effect of placebos and no medically substantiated effect. However, preparations made from black cohosh and St. John's wort have a proven positive effect.
Experience has shown that alternative medical methods have also shown success, e.g. aromatherapy with massages, hypnosis procedures or the methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In addition, a balanced diet, regular exercise, endurance and strength training, little alcohol and no nicotine help.
How does sex change during menopause?
Women are said to have low levels of pleasure during and after menopause. Total bullshit! Women can have a completely normal sex life, some even report that it has been more fulfilling since then than in previous years. Of course, this has to do with the fact that they no longer have to try to use contraception and do not have to fear an unplanned child.
If middle-aged women have sex problems, it is usually because they no longer feel so attractive. In contrast to men, sexuality is a matter of the head for women. If the woman mentally blocks, then no physical pleasure is felt either. Then the men are encouraged to do their best to make the woman feel desirable again.