Women and Menopause

During menopause, women's bodies begin to change, as their ovaries slow in producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menstruation also slows down, and eventually stops as well. Although menopause can occur at any age, the normal timeframe is between 50 and 54.

Menopause is the part of a woman's normal aging process and it will happen to all who haven't had their uterus and ovaries surgically removed. If this is the case, premature menopause will occur. In some cases, only the uterus is taken out and the ovaries are left. Under these circumstances, there are no immediate menopausal symptoms, since the patient is still receiving the hormones mentioned above.

Menopause creates a number of symptoms that a woman may not be conscious of at first. The menstrual cycle will be affected by the diminishing production of the two hormones, and will most likely be completely unpredictable. For example she may experience heavy flow one month and light spotting when her next period shows up.

Other signals to a woman that she is entering menopause include one of the many following: (1) hot flashes, (2) irritable moods, (3) sweating, (4) disturbances in sleep patterns, (5) vaginal dryness, causing discomfort during sex and sometimes during urination, (6) mood swings that can include angry moods and feelings of depression, (7) hair growth on the face, chest, arms, and stomach, (8) difficulty in remembering things and difficulty in concentrating for long periods of time, and (9) a low frustration level that affects the rest of the woman’s mood.

Women can prepare for menopause by learning as much as possible about it. This will help them understand what is happening as they start going through the "change of life". They won't feel alone in the process or be as alarmed by the unusual things they experience.

Eating well-balanced meals and keeping up with her exercise can be among the most positive approaches she can take. Taking charge of her own body, including good nutrition, will help her experience minimal symptoms. She should also consider vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements. Any woman, who has a great deal of difficulty during menopause, may want to consider hormone replacement therapy. It's always vital to stay in touch with her doctor throughout menopause. That way any other changes not related to menopause won't be missed. Some women may want to seek out a support group. It's always helpful to have contact with people experiencing the same life conditions as you.

Article Source: http://www.articles.ask-me-about.com

Lindsay Hurst is the owner of A Menopause, the web's premier resource for information about Menopause.