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5 things you should know about menopause

27 October 2020

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Key points:

  • What is menopause and how does it affect women
  • Myths and realities

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation. It can occur between the ages of 40 and 50 and is diagnosed after twelve months without having a menstrual period.

Menopause is a natural biological process. However, physical symptoms, such as hot flashes and emotional swings can disrupt sleep, lower your energy, or affect mental health.

During menopause you may experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Irregular periods.
  • Vaginal dryness.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Chills.
  • Night sweats.
  • Insomnia.
  • Sudden mood swings.
  • Weight gain.
  • Thinning hair and dry skin.
  • Loss of breast volume.

5 myths and truths about menopause

  1. If you started your periods early, menopause will do too.
    Studies performed in different countries show that there is no correlation between menarche age and menopause age, but there are numerous reports that relate earlier menopause to tobacco consumption, living in high places, not eating properly, and having a low weight.
  1. After menopause, the ovaries atrophy and stop producing hormones.
    The ovaries do not stop working, although they do atrophy and become smaller. Estrogen and progesterone production are markedly decreased, but the postmenopausal ovary still can produce other steroids.
  1. Menopause is a disease.
    Menopause is an unavoidable natural state in a woman’s life, which leads to the end of reproductive function and is due to the loss of ovarian follicles. It is not a disease since there is no treatment that “cures” it. However, multiple treatments could help reduce symptoms and make them bearable.
  1. Women gain weight in menopause.
    The metabolic and hormonal changes that occur before and after menopause can cause an increase in body fat, however, leading a healthy lifestyle and exercising can reduce this symptom.
  1. Menopause is the same for all women.
    Sooner or later all women reach this stage, although the frequency and intensity with which the symptoms appear are different in each one.

Do not forget to schedule your gynecological appointments periodically, our medical team is ready to help you live your life fully when you reach this stage.

At ABC Medical Center’s Gynecology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!

Fuentes:
https://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/quirurgicas/rmq-2014/rmq143a.pdf
https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397

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