Menopause, also known as climacteric, is a natural stage in the life of every woman. This period is accompanied by a change in hormonal balance, leading to the cessation of the menstrual cycle and loss of fertility. With age, there is a decrease in the production of female hormones by the ovaries, highlighting issues related to surrogacy. Menopause should not be perceived as a disease. It is a physiological restructuring of the body, characterized by different levels of symptom severity among women. For some, this process is almost unnoticeable, while others experience significant discomfort, sometimes even seeking help from sperm donors. Menopause develops gradually and includes several stages.
Stages of Menopause
Perimenopause marks the beginning of the climacteric period, starting four years before the complete cessation of menstruation and continuing until their final cessation. During this time, women may notice changes in the regularity and character of the menstrual cycle, as well as a rapid decrease in estrogen levels by the end of this period.
Menopause occurs after the last menstruation, officially confirmed 12 months after this event. This stage can occur naturally or as a result of medical interventions.
Postmenopause is the final stage, beginning after a year without menstruation and continuing until the end of life. During this period, women’s interest in surrogacy and other assisted reproduction methods increases.
THE CAUSES OF MENOPAUSE MAY INCLUDE:
1. Genetic predisposition: Hereditary factors can play a significant role in determining the timing of menopause. If a mother or close relatives experienced early menopause, the likelihood of early onset in a woman is also high.
2. Natural aging of the ovaries: As a woman ages, her ovaries begin to decrease the production of estrogens and progesterone, eventually leading to menopause.
3. Medical interventions: Some medical procedures, such as ovary removal or breast cancer treatment, can lead to premature menopause or accelerate its onset.
4. Adverse environmental conditions: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, improper nutrition, and stress can affect the reproductive system and contribute to the early onset of menopause.
5. Diseases and surgical interventions: Certain diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or thyroid gland diseases, as well as surgical operations on the reproductive system organs, can accelerate the onset of menopause.
Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause in women is accompanied by a multitude of symptoms, which, depending on the time of their occurrence, are divided into early, delayed, and late. These signs can also be divided into several categories: neurovegetative, metabolic-endocrine, and psycho-emotional.
Neurovegetative Symptoms
One of the most noticeable and characteristic manifestations of menopause are hot flashes. This symptom is manifested by sudden skin reddening, a sensation of heat in the face, chest, and limbs, accompanied by an increase in body temperature by 2-5°C. The duration of such hot flashes varies from 3 to 5 minutes.
THE SEVERITY OF MENOPAUSE IS ASSESSED BY THE FREQUENCY OF HOT FLASHES PER DAY:
· Light degree: up to 10 episodes per day.
· Medium degree: 10-20 episodes.
· Severe degree: more than 20 times a day, with additional symptoms affecting the woman’s work capacity.
Other manifestations include increased sweating, fluctuations in blood pressure, nausea, tachycardia, headaches, and periodic chest pains.
Metabolic-Endocrine Symptoms
This group includes weight changes without visible reasons, worsening skin condition, increased cholesterol levels. Women may experience discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse due to dryness and thinning of the mucous membranes. Itching and burning in the genital area, involuntary urine leakage during strain, and painful urination also belong to this category.
Additional signs include bloody discharges or bleedings, joint and bone pains, dry eyes, changes in the condition of gums and oral cavity, including periodontitis and decreased salivation.
Psycho-Emotional Signs
Menopause can be accompanied by mood swings, increased emotional sensitivity, as well as heightened anxiety and decreased interest in sexual life. Memory problems, attention disorders, sleep disturbances, and a tendency toward depression also belong to this category.
DIAGNOSIS OF MENOPAUSE IN WOMEN AT RISK INCLUDES:
1. Visiting a gynecologist: Regular visits to the doctor (twice a year after 40-45 years) allow for examination and discussion of health status.
2. Medical diagnostic methods:
· Pelvic ultrasound: Allows assessing the condition of the pelvic organs and monitoring reproductive function.
· Mammography: Conducted to monitor the condition of the breast glands.
· Hormonal tests: Allow assessing the hormone levels, which is important for diagnosing menopause.
· Microscopic and cytological studies of the cervix: Necessary to identify pathologies of the cervix.
· Bone densitometry: Allows assessing bone density and identifying possible changes related to menopause. The goal of menopause diagnosis is not its prevention but the exclusion of possible complications.
Prevention of Menopause
Menopause is an inevitable stage in the life of every woman, but there are methods to delay its onset and mitigate manifestations. Although it is impossible to completely avoid menopause, adequate prevention can significantly improve the quality of life and health.
NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE
· Cholesterol control: Balanced nutrition, rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, helps maintain normal cholesterol levels.
· Avoiding fatty foods: Reducing the consumption of saturated fats helps prevent cardiovascular diseases, the risks of which increase with the onset of menopause.
· Active lifestyle: Regular physical exercises improve overall well-being and contribute to maintaining a healthy weight.
Psycho-Emotional Health
· Stress minimization: Managing stress through meditation, yoga, or hobbies helps reduce the negative impact of stress on the body.
· Emotional state control: Maintaining a stable emotional background is important for preventing psychological symptoms of menopause.
Medical Observation
· Hormonal control: Regular medical observation of hormonal background allows timely detection of changes and their correction.
· Continuous observation by specialists: Visits to a gynecologist and mammologist are necessary for early diagnosis and prevention of diseases related to menopause.