Change Of Life Postmenopause

Menopause occurs in awoman’s life once her menstruation has stopped permanently. Menopause is considered complete, and the woman is considered to be in postmenopause once her menstruation has stopped for 1 full year. This usually occurs between the ages of 35 and 58.

What is going on in the body?

When a woman reaches menopause, her estrogen level has declined enough so that she has no monthly bleeding, and bearing children is no longer possible.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Menopause is caused by natural aging.During menopause, a woman’s estrogen level decreases. This eventually causes awoman to stop menstruating.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Hormone levels do not usually decline in a uniform way. They rise and fallagain and again over time. These hormone fluctuations are what cause thevarious symptoms that women have during this time of life. These hormonesaffect a woman’s breasts, vagina, bones, blood vessels, digestive system,urinary tract, and skin.

The symptoms of postmenopause will vary from woman to woman. Some women maycontinue to have symptoms of perimenopause, including:

Within 4 or 5 years after her last period, a woman may start to get urinary tract infections. Women also may have vaginal drying. The walls of the vagina become thinner anddryer. The walls lose elasticity, and women are more prone to vaginalinfections. Sexual intercourse may be painful. Some women may not havemuch interest in sex, while others report an increased interest in sexfollowing menopause.

How is the condition diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can diagnose postmenopause by looking at a woman’s medical history and her symptoms. A blood test can be used to determine estrogen levels.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

All women will go through menopauseand move into postmenopause.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

A woman who is postmenopausal is at higher risk for urinary tract infections, Candida albicans,\ \Candida tropicalis,\ \Candida glabrata,\ and \Candida parapsilosis.\vaginal yeast infections, osteoporosis, and heartdisease. These conditions are due to the lower levels of estrogen in her body.

What are the risks to others?

Postmenopause is not contagious and poses no risk to others.

What are the treatments for the condition?

While menopause itself is nottreated, the symptoms that go along with menopause are sometimes treated. All of therisks due to estrogen loss may be prevented or treated. Some ways to do thisinclude making lifestyle changes and taking hormone replacement therapy. Calcium supplements may be taken by those women who donot get enough calcium through their diet.

Urinary tract infections may come backagain and again. To prevent these infections, a woman should urinatefrequently, especially before and after sexual intercourse. She should alsodrink plenty of fluids and keep the genital area very clean.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Sideeffects of HRT can include headaches,bloating, and irritability.

Long-term use of hormone replacementtherapy may increase the number of women who get breast cancer. If a woman has a family history of breast cancer, menstruated before age 12, or delayedpregnancy, hormone replacementtherapy may not be advised. Women who are at higher risk of developing blood clots mayalso be unable to use hormone replacement therapy.

The American Heart Association recently issued recommendations about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women. For women who have already had a heart attack or have heart disease, it appears that HRT does not protect against having another heart attack or dying from heart disease. The studies that support this information were done with women over 65 years of age. It is unclear if this information also holds true for younger postmenopausal women who take HRT.

For women who have not already had a heart attack or who do not have heart disease, HRT should not be started for the sole purpose of preventing heart disease. The research is not strong enough to support doing that at this time. Also, it is not necessary for a woman to stop HRT if she is doing well on it.

Overall, the decision to use HRT should be based upon the proven benefits and risks of HRT. Women should discuss the benefits and risks with their healthcare provider. Together, they can choose the most appropriate course of action. A woman who is using hormone replacementtherapy during perimenopause maywantto reassess using HRT after menopause.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Most symptoms of menopause go away after a woman stops getting her period.

How is the condition monitored?

Postmenopause is monitored by yearly gynecological exams. If a woman hasmenstrualbleeding 6 months or more after her last period, she should contact herhealthcareprovider. Any new or worsening symptoms should also be reported to the healthcare provider.