Don’t worry!
Menopause is a natural process that affects all women: it occurs when ovaries produce less estrogen hormones and progesterone and ceases to release eggs completely.
It is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, although symptoms or persist for years before and after this period.
Menopause is a universal phenomenon, but there are many erroneous concepts in this regard, from the symptoms to treatments.
These are some of the most unusual common myths and signs.
When does menopause occur?
Women in North America tend to experience menopause between 51 and 52 years, while the global average is closer to 48.
If it occurs before 45, we call it early menopause. Smoking, a family hysterectomy and history of early menopause are risk factors for it.
Menopause that occurs after 55 years is considered late menopause.
The time before menopause is called perimenopause. Usually, at the end of the 40s and can last several years.
Perimenopause is different for each woman. The periods can become longer or shorter, more heavy or lighter or completely omitted. Symptoms similar to menopause are a common duration this time.
What are the main symptoms or menopause?
Some women may have a variety of symptoms, while the ethers have none.
We classify the symptoms in three ways: physical, psychological and urogenital.
Physical symptoms include stifling and night sweatshirts, which are classic signs of menopause.
The disturbed dream and heart are also in this group.
Cerebral fog and mood changes such as anxiety, depression, irritability and anger episodes are among psychological symptoms.
Women who have had premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression or a difficult pubertation can be more susceptible to mental health struggles that vineyard menopause.
The final category covers vaginal dryness and changes in urine habits.
Estrogen, the main female sex hormone, significantly falls from duration. The decrease in estrogen is responsible for the thinning and drying of the tissues in the urogenital tract, including the vagina and the vulva. That is why sex can be painful.
What are some novel symptoms?
Some signs are more subtle, such as itching skin and joint pain.
Estrogen is key to clarifying the humidity and elasticity of the skin, so the skin becomes thinner and more prone to dryness and irritation in menopause.
A reduction in estrogen can also contribute to the increase in pain and stiffness in the joints, since it plays a role in keeping the joints healthy.
How long does the symptoms load?
We used to believe that the symptoms of menopause only lasted a year. That is a myth.
In fact, these symptoms can remain four to 10 years.
And we notice cultural differentials in the duration of symptoms.
Black women generally have more serious symptoms that last longer, like up to 10 years, Hispanic women often experience them for about eight years.
White women’s symptoms usually persist for seven years, while Asian women generally have symptoms for four or six years.
Why do menopausal women increase weight?
That is the million dollar question and complaint number 1.
Menopausal women generally put six or eight pounds in their bellies.
The voice of weight gain of hormonal and lifestyle and the natural loss of lean muscle.
Women tend to store fat in their hips and thighs. The decrease in menopause of estrogen duration can cause a change in the distribution of fats, which leads to weight gain mainly at the bottom of the belly.
Its shape changes from a pear to an apple due to the extra fat of the belly.
Menopausal women are also doing so much or not so much, which affects their weight. In addition, they have been losing lean muscle since the 30s, a process that accelerates with age and changes in metabolism.
So, if their doubts do not fit, although they did nothing wrong or differently, it can be a reality.
Should menopausal women take hormonal therapy?
Most women can take estrogens and progesterone to treat menopause symptoms such as suffocation, night sweats, heart flutter and even sleep interruption. Sometimes they relieve articular pains.
Hormonal medications also have protective benefits. We know that they help reduce the risk of fracture over time.
Osteoporosis is a big problem for women as they age: hormonal therapy supports bones. There is also some cardiovascular protection.
Hormones are safer when they are given near the moment of menopause. The farther from menopause, hormones become more risky than beneficial.
Are there natural ways to reduce the symptoms of menopause?
Changes in lifestyle can help.
The dream, a healthy diet, exercise, stress management and social connections are crucial to navigate the transition of menopause.
Only the severe symptoms of menopause need treatment?
A myth of menopause is that it is worth treating some symptoms.
We know that women feel better in the long term when their symptoms are addressed through hormonal treatment, non -hormonal treatment or lifestyle changes.
It is important to remember that each woman has her own experience. Your situation does not matter, it will acclimatize and prosper.
Dr. Samantha Dunham is co -director or the center of Nyu Langone for healthy health and menopause. She is also associated clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
