As the last major biological transition that women will experience in their lives, the menopause is usually said to begin once menstruation comes to an end and becoming pregnant via natural means is no longer a possibility.
The menopause normally occurs in women at some point in their 40s or 50s and can be an extremely gruelling and emotional process accompanied by a series of persistent and energy-sapping symptoms.
How long the menopause lasts is entirely dependent on the individual, with the average duration of this bodily change clocking in at around four years. The lead-up to the menopause, which is often referred to as the perimenopause, can also bring with it a range of health issues and concerns, as can life after the menopause. With all things considered, it’s little wonder that most women of menopausal age can see their general wellbeing suffer significantly.
The effects of the menopause
One of the factors that is most attributable to the undesirable side effects of the menopause is the female body’s reduced production of oestrogen during this challenging time. Oestrogen, is the hormone which maintains the health of the reproductive system, pelvic floor and urinary tract in a woman.
However, this newly reduced amount of oestrogen can be a leading cause of many of the things that menopausal women experience commonly. On a physical level, reduced levels of oestrogen can make women more vulnerable to experiencing hot flushes and night sweats and chronic pain and see their risk of health concerns such as heart disease, strokes and osteoporosis increase significantly. In terms of changes to behaviour and mental health, falling oestrogen levels are associated with a lack of sexual desire and an upturn in feelings of anger, anxiety and depression.
Finding the right support
When encountering such rapid levels of change and becoming more prone to the development of long-lasting and life-changing health conditions, it’s completely understandable to see your general wellbeing take a significant nosedive. In instances such as this, it can be hard to know where to turn and what to do to manage these overwhelming and sometimes crippling symptoms.
By booking in for a consultation or One Stop See and Treat clinic appointment with Mr Francis Gardner, you’ll be given access to the knowledge and advice of an expert in women’s health and a range of treatment options can be discussed.
FAQ’s
Very. As the menopause subjects the body to a whole host of changes that can seem scary and difficult to get used to, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by some of the symptoms you may experience at this time.
In some cases, worrying or feeling stressed about what you’re experiencing during the menopause can play a significant role in how you feel within yourself and in your ability to complete everyday tasks. Taking some time out for yourself and discussing your concerns or fears with a partner, friend or professional can make these symptoms easier to deal with.
Yes. One of the most popular of these is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a method of treatment that can reintroduce essential hormones into the body in order to stave off some of the worst symptoms of the menopause and help you live your life as normally as possible.