M E N O PAU S E
MENOPAUSE The menopause is something all women will go through at some point. You may be lucky and breeze through it, or you may be getting fed up with all those hot flushes and feeling like you’re losing control of your body! So, let’s get some of the facts down and some tips to try and help you along the way.
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
l The menopause is the time when you stop having your periods and are no longer able to get pregnant naturally*. This is caused by a change in the balance of the body’s sex hormones, which occurs as you get older. Your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and progesterone and you no longer release an egg each month from your ovaries. Therefore your periods will stop and changes start to occur in your body. l Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop all together. Sometimes they can stop suddenly, though. l The menopause is a natural part of ageing and usually occurs between the ages of 45-55. l Some women, however, can experience premature menopause before the age of 40. This can be due to genetics, illness, or having had certain medical procedures such as a hysterectomy, damage caused to the ovaries or having received chemotherapy. 44
H E A LT H M AT T E R S !
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT’S HAPPENING?
You may suspect yourself that you are going through the menopause, based on some of the symptoms you are getting. You know your body best, so you are probably spot on. It’s best to go and have a chat with your doctor to find out for sure, though. You should also keep track of your periods and when they start to change. Some of the symptoms you may experience l Night sweats l Pain l Hot flushes l Vaginal discomfort or dryness l Difficulty sleeping l Low mood or anxiety l Reduced sex drive l Problems with memory and concentration l Mood swings l Fatigue l Racing heart l Headaches l Joint and muscle pain l Bladder control problems l Depression Not all women get all of these symptoms, so don’t panic! But you may experience a few.
SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER l With less oestrogen in your body due to the menopause, you need to start giving your body a little extra TLC (Tender Loving Care) and making sure you’re keeping healthy.
