| 释义 |
menopauseenUK
men·o·pause M0219000 (mĕn′ə-pôz′)n.1. The permanent cessation of menstruation, usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55.2. The period during which such cessation occurs. In both sense, also called climacteric.
[New Latin mēnopausis : meno- + Greek pausis, pause; see pause.]
men′o·paus′al adj.menopause (ˈmɛnəʊˌpɔːz) n (Physiology) the period during which a woman's menstrual cycle ceases, normally occurring at an age of 45 to 50. Nontechnical name: change of life [C19: from French, from Greek mēn month + pausis halt] ˌmenoˈpausal, ˌmenoˈpausic adjmen•o•pause (ˈmɛn əˌpɔz)
n. the period of natural cessation of menstruation, usu. occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. [1870–75; < French] men`o•pau′sal, adj. men·o·pause (mĕn′ə-pôz′) The time at which menstruation ceases, occurring usually between 45 and 55 years of age in humans.menopauseWhen a woman stops menstruating because she has passed childbearing age. This is usually between the ages of 45 and 50.Thesaurus| Noun | 1. |  menopause - the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle endschange of life, climactericbiological time - the time of various biological processesmiddle age - the time of life between youth and old age (e.g., between 40 and 60 years of age) |
Translationsmenopause (ˈmenəˌpoːz) noun the time when a woman's menstruation stops, around the age of 50. 停經, 更年期 绝经期，更年期 menopauseenUK
menopause (mĕn`əpôz) or climacteric (klīmăk`tərĭk, klī'măktĕr`ĭk), transitional phase in a woman's life when the ovariesovary,
ductless gland of the female in which the ova (female reproductive cells) are produced. In vertebrate animals the ovary also secretes the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control the development of the sexual organs and the secondary sexual characteristics.
..... Click the link for more information. stop releasing eggs, ovarian production of estrogenestrogen
, any one of a group of hormones synthesized by the reproductive organs and adrenal glands in females and, in lesser quantities, in males. The estrogens cause the thickening of the lining of the uterus and vagina in the early phase of the ovulatory, or menstrual, cycle
..... Click the link for more information. and other hormones tapers off, and menstruationmenstruation,
periodic flow of blood and cells from the lining of the uterus in humans and most other primates, occurring about every 28 days in women. Menstruation commences at puberty (usually between age 10 and 17).
..... Click the link for more information. ceases. It results from declining ovarian function due to aging of the ovaries and is usually a gradual process. In the United States, natural menopause occurs at age 51 on average. Premature menopause (due to premature aging of the ovaries, debilitating disease, or infection) and artificial menopause (due to destruction of the ovaries by surgery, irradiation, or purposeful hormone therapy, as in severe premenstrual syndromepremenstrual syndrome
(PMS), any of various symptoms experienced by women of childbearing age in the days immediately preceding menstruation. It is most common in women in their twenties and thirties.
..... Click the link for more information. ) may occur much earlier. Menopause may pass with no signs other than cessation of menstruation, or it may be accompanied by menstrual changes (heavy or erratic periods), night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. There is some debate as to whether emotional symptoms and "mood swings" are any more common during menopause than at any other age. Lower levels of estrogen following menopause may be accompanied by a variety of physical changes. For example, the risk of osteoporosisosteoporosis
, disorder in which the normal replenishment of old bone tissue is severely disrupted, resulting in weakened bones and increased risk of fracture; osteopenia results when bone-mass loss is significant but not as severe as in osteoporosis.
..... Click the link for more information. , in which the bones lose elasticity and become brittle, increases. In addition, levels of high-density lipoproteinslipoprotein
, any organic compound that is composed of both protein and the various fatty substances classed as lipids, including fatty acids and steroids such as cholesterol.
..... Click the link for more information. (HDLs) decrease as low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) increase, arteries lose elasticity, and more body weight is redistributed to the waist area—all heightening the risk of heart diseaseheart disease,
any of several abnormalities of the heart and its function in maintaining blood circulation. Heart disease is the cause of approximately half the deaths in the United States each year.
..... Click the link for more information. . Other possible estrogen-related changes include stress incontinence due to loss of muscle tone in the pelvis, loss of elasticity in the skin, and hair thinning. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is a controversial treatment introduced in the 1970s for bodily changes that occur in menopause; beginning in the 1980s progestins were added to reduce the risk of uterine cancer. Although ERT eases hot flashes and other physical changes and appears to decrease the risk of osteoporosis, it has been linked to increases in breast cancerbreast cancer,
cancer that originates in the breast. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (following lung cancer). Although the vast majority of the cases occur in women, some men also get breast cancer.
..... Click the link for more information. , heart disease, and stroke. Other approaches to dealing with the physical changes include exercise to help circulation, increase bone density and HDL levels, and lower stress; lubricants for vaginal dryness; avoidance of smoking and excess alcohol; and dietary changes limiting protein and fat and increasing fiberfiber,
threadlike strand, usually pliable and capable of being spun into a yarn. Many different fibers are known to be usable; some 40 of these are of commercial importance, and others are of local or specialized use. Fibers may be classified as either natural or synthetic.
..... Click the link for more information. and calciumcalcium
[Lat.,=lime], metallic chemical element; symbol Ca; at. no. 20; at. wt. 40.078; m.p. about 839°C;; b.p. 1,484°C;; sp. gr. 1.55 at 20°C;; valence +2. Calcium is a malleable, ductile, silver-white, relatively soft metal with face-centered, cubic crystalline
..... Click the link for more information. . Natural remedies such as vitaminsvitamin,
group of organic substances that are required in the diet of humans and animals for normal growth, maintenance of life, and normal reproduction. Vitamins act as catalysts; very often either the vitamins themselves are coenzymes, or they form integral parts of coenzymes.
..... Click the link for more information. E and B6 or ginsengginseng
, common name for the Araliaceae, a family of tropical herbs, shrubs, and trees that are often prickly and sometimes grow as climbing forms. The true ginseng (Panax ginseng
..... Click the link for more information. and other foods that contain or mimic estrogen are sometimes recommended, but research as to their efficacy has been limited. See also uterusuterus,
in most female mammals, hollow muscular organ in which the fetus develops and from which it is delivered at the end of pregnancy. The human uterus is pear-shaped and about 3 in. (7.
..... Click the link for more information. . Bibliography See publications of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; J. E. Huston and L. D. Lanka, Perimenopause: Changes in a Woman's Health after 35 (1997); Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century (1998). menopause[′men·ə‚pȯz] (physiology) The natural physiologic cessation of menstruation, usually occurring in the last half of the fourth decade. Also known as climacteric. menopause the period during which a woman's menstrual cycle ceases, normally occurring at an age of 45 to 50 menopauseenUK
Menopause DefinitionMenopause represents the end of menstruation. While technically it refers to the final period, it is not an abrupt event, but a gradual process. Menopause is not a disease that needs to be cured, but a natural life-stage transition. However, women have to make important decisions about "treatment," including the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).DescriptionMany women have irregular periods and other problems of "pre-menopause" for years. It is not easy to predict when menopause begins, although doctors agree it is complete when a woman has not had a period for a year. Eight out of every 100 women stop menstruating before age 40. At the other end of the spectrum, five out of every 100 continue to have periods until they are almost 60. The average age of menopause is 51.There is no mathematical formula to figure out when the ovaries will begin to scale back either, but a woman can get a general idea based on her family history, body type, and lifestyle. Women who began menstruating early will not necessarily stop having periods early as well. It is true that a woman will likely enter menopause at about the same age as her mother. Menopause may occur later than average among smokers.Causes and symptomsOnce a woman enters puberty, each month her body releases one of the more than 400,000 eggs that are stored in her ovaries, and the lining of the womb (uterus) thickens in anticipation of receiving a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop and the uterine lining sheds and bleeds.By the time a woman reaches her late 30s or 40s, her ovaries begin to shut down, producing less estrogen and progesterone and releasing eggs less often. The gradual decline of estrogen causes a wide variety of changes in tissues that respond to estrogen—including the vagina, vulva, uterus, bladder, urethra, breasts, bones, heart, blood vessels, brain, skin, hair, and mucous membranes. Over the long run, the lack of estrogen can make a woman more vulnerable to osteoporosis (which can begin in the 40s) and heart disease.As the levels of hormones fluctuate, the menstrual cycle begins to change. Some women may have longer periods with heavy flow followed by shorter cycles and hardly any bleeding. Others will begin to miss periods completely. During this time, a woman also becomes less able to get pregnant.The most common symptom of menopause is a change in the menstrual cycle, but there are a variety of other symptoms as well, including:- hot flashes
- night sweats
- insomnia
- mood swings/irritability
- memory or concentration problems
- vaginal dryness
- heavy bleeding
- fatigue
- depression
- hair changes
- headaches
- heart palpitations
- sexual disinterest
- urinary changes
- weight gain
DiagnosisThe clearest indication of menopause is the absence of a period for one year. It is also possible to diagnose menopause by testing hormone levels. One important test measures the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which steadily increases as a woman ages.However, as a woman first enters menopause, her hormones often fluctuate wildly from day to day. For example, if a woman's estrogen levels are high and progesterone is low, she may have mood swings, irritability, and other symptoms similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). As hormone levels shift and estrogen level falls, hot flashes occur. Because of these fluctuations, a normal hormone level when the blood is tested may not necessarily mean the levels were normal the day before or will be the day after.If it has been at least three months since a woman's last period, an FSH test might be more helpful in determining whether menopause has occurred. Most doctors believe that the FSH test alone cannot be used as proof that a woman has entered early menopause. A better measure of menopause is a test that checks the levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other hormones at mid-cycle, in addition to FSH.TreatmentWhen a woman enters menopause, her levels of estrogen drop and symptoms (such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness) begin. Hormone replacement therapy can treat these symptoms by boosting the estrogen levels enough to suppress symptoms while also providing protection against heart disease and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to weaken. Experts disagree on whether HRT increases or decreases the risk of developing breast cancer. A Harvard study concluded that short-term use of hormones carries little risk, while HRT used for more than five years among women 55 and over seems to increase the risk of breast cancer.There are two types of hormone treatments: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). HRT is the administration of estrogen and progesterone; ERT is the administration of estrogen alone. Only women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) can take estrogen alone, since taking this "unopposed" estrogen can cause uterine cancer. The combination of progesterone and estrogen in HRT eliminates the risk of uterine cancer.Most physicians do not recommend HRT until a woman's periods have stopped completely for one year. This is because women in early menopause who still have an occasional period are still producing estrogen; HRT would then provide far too much estrogen.Most doctors believe that every woman (except those with certain cancers) should take hormones as they approach menopause because of the protection against heart disease, osteoporosis, and uterine cancer and the relatively low risk of breast cancer. Heart disease and osteoporosis are two of the leading causes of disability and death among post-menopausal women.Critics say the benefit of taking hormonal drugs to ease symptoms is not worth the risk of breast cancer. Since menopause is not a disease, many argue that women should not take hormones to cure what is actually a natural process of aging. Advocates of HRT contend that the purpose of taking hormones is not to "treat" menopause but to prevent the development of other diseases.There are risks with HRT and there are risks without it. In order to decide whether to take HRT, a woman should balance her risk of getting breast cancer against her risk of getting heart disease, and decide how bad her menopause symptoms are. Most doctors agree that short-term use of estrogen for those women with symptoms of hot flashes or night sweats is a sensible choice as long as they do not have a history of breast cancer.For a woman who has no family history of cancer and a high risk of dying from heart disease, for example, the low risk of cancer might be worth the protective benefit of avoiding heart disease. Certainly, for Caucasian women aged 50 to 94, the risk of dying from heart disease is far greater than the risk of dying of breast cancer.Women are poor candidates for hormone replacement therapy if they have:- had breast or endometrial cancer
- a close relative (mother, sister, grandmother) who died of breast cancer or have two relatives who developed breast cancer before age 40
- had endometrial cancer
- had gallbladder or liver disease
- blood clots or phlebitis
Some women with liver or gallbladder disease, or who have clotting problems, may be able to go on HRT if they use a patch to administer the hormones through the skin, bypassing the liver.Women would make a good candidate for HRT if they:- need to prevent osteoporosis
- have had their ovaries removed
- need to prevent heart disease
- have significant symptoms.
Taking hormones can almost immediately eliminate hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence (depending on the cause), insomnia, moodiness, memory problems, heavy irregular periods, and concentration problems. Side effects of treatment include bloating, breakthrough bleeding, headaches, vaginal discharge, fluid retention, swollen breasts, or nausea. Up to 20% of women who try hormone replacement stop within nine months because of these side effects. However, some side effects can be lessened or prevented by changing the HRT regimen.The decision should be made by a woman and her doctor after taking into consideration her medical history and situation. Women who choose to take hormones should have an annual mammogram, breast exam, and pelvic exam and should report any unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting (a sign of possible uterine cancer).Anti-estrogensA new type of hormone therapy offers some of the same protection against heart disease and bone loss as estrogen, but without the increased risk of breast cancer. This new class of drugs are known as antiestrogens. The best known of these anti-estrogens is raloxifene, which mimics the effects of estrogen in the bones and blood, but blocks some of its negative effects elsewhere. It is called an anti-estrogen because for a long time these drugs had been used to counter the harmful effects of estrogen that caused breast cancer. Oddly enough, in other parts of the body these drugs mimic estrogen, protecting against heart disease and osteoporosis without putting a woman at risk for breast cancer.Like estrogen, raloxifene works by attaching to an estrogen "receptor," much like a key fits into a lock. When raloxifene clicks into the estrogen receptors in the breast and uterus, it blocks estrogen at these sites. This is the secret of its cancer-fighting property. Many tumors in the breast are fueled by estrogen; if the estrogen cannot get in the cell, then the cancer stops growing.Women may prefer to take raloxifene instead of hormone replacement because the new drug does not boost the breast cancer risk and does not have side effects like uterine bleeding, bloating, or breast soreness. Unfortunately, the drug may worsen hot flashes. Raloxifene is basically a treatment to prevent osteoporosis. It does not help with common symptoms and it is unclear if it has the same protective effect against heart disease as estrogen does.Testosterone replacementThe ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones, which decreases slightly as a woman enters menopause. The vast majority of women never need testosterone replacement, but it can be important if a woman has declining interest in sex. Testosterone can improve the libido, and decrease anxiety and depression; adding testosterone especially helps women who have had hysterectomies. Testosterone also eases breast tenderness and helps prevent bone loss. However, testosterone does have side effects. Some women experience mild acne and some facial hair growth, but because only small amounts of testosterone are prescribed, most women do not appear to have extreme masculine changes.Birth control pillsWomen who are still having periods but who have annoying menopausal symptoms may take low-dose birth control pills to ease the problems; this treatment has been approved by the FDA for perimenopausal symptoms in women under age 55. HRT is the preferred treatment for menopause, however, because it uses lower doses of estrogen.Alternative treatmentSome women also report success in using natural remedies to treat the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Not all women need estrogen and some women cannot take it. Many doctors don't want to give hormones to women who are still having their periods, however erratically. Indeed, only a third of menopausal women in the United States try HRT and of those who do, eventually half of them drop the therapy. Some are worried about breast cancer, some cannot tolerate the side effects, some do not want to medicate what they consider to be a natural occurrence.HerbsHerbs have been used to relieve menopausal symptoms for centuries. In general, most herbs are considered safe, and there is no substantial evidence that herbal products are a major source of toxic reactions. But because herbal products are not regulated in the United States, contamination or accidental overdose is possible. Herbs should be bought from a recognized company or through a qualified herbal practitioner.Women who choose to take herbs for menopausal symptoms should learn as much as possible about herbs and work with a qualified practitioner (an herbalist, a traditional Chinese doctor, or a naturopathic physician). Pregnant women should avoid herbs because of unknown effects on a developing fetus.The following list of herbs include those that herbalists most often prescribe to treat menstrual complaints:- Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa): hot flashes and other menstrual complaints
- Black currant: breast tenderness
- Chaste tree/chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus): hot flashes, excessive menstrual bleeding, fibroids, and moodiness
- Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis): mood swings, irritability, and breast tenderness
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): hot flashes, digestive gas, and bloating
- Flaxseed (linseed): excessive menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness, and other symptoms, including dry skin and vaginal dryness
- Gingko (Gingko biloba): memory problems
- Ginseng (Panax ginseng): hot flashes, fatigue and vaginal thinning.
- Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata): memory problems, fuzzy thinking
- Lady's mantle: excessive menstrual bleeding
- Mexican wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) root: vaginal dryness, hot flashes and general menopause symptoms
- Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): night sweats, hot flashes
- Oat (Avena sativa) straw: mood swings, anxiety
- Red clover (Trifolium pratense): hot flashes
- Sage (Salvia officinalis): mood swings, headaches, night sweats
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): insomnia.
Natural estrogens (phytoestrogens)Proponents of plant estrogens (including soy products) believe that plant estrogens are better than synthetic estrogen, but science has not yet proven this. The results of smaller preliminary trials suggest that the estrogen compounds in soy products can indeed relieve the severity of hot flashes and lower cholesterol. But no one yet has proven that soy can provide all the benefits of synthetic estrogen without its negative effects.It is true that people in other countries who eat foods high in plant estrogens (especially soy products) have lower rates of breast cancer and report fewer "symptoms" of menopause. While up to 80% of menopausal women in the United States complain of hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, only 15% of Japanese women have similar complaints. When all other things are equal, a soy-based diet may make a difference (and soy is very high in plant estrogens).The study of phytoestrogens is so new that there are not very many recommendations on how much a woman can consume. Herbal practitioners recommend a dose based on a woman's history, body size, lifestyle, diet, and reported symptoms. Research has indicated that some women were able to ease their symptoms by eating a large amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, together with four ounces of tofu four times a week.What concerns some critics of other alternative remedies is that many women think that "natural" or "plant-based" means "harmless." In large doses, phytoestrogens can promote the abnormal growth of cells in the uterine lining. Unopposed estrogen of any type can lead to endometrial cancer, which is why women on conventional estrogen-replacement therapy usually take progesterone (progestin) along with their estrogen. However, a plant-based progesterone product can sometimes be effective alone, without estrogen, in assisting the menopausal woman in rebalancing her hormonal action throughout this transition time.YogaMany women find that yoga (the ancient meditation/exercise developed in India 5,000 years ago) can ease menopausal symptoms. Yoga focuses on helping women unite the mind, body, and spirit to create balance. Because yoga has been shown to balance the endocrine system, some experts believe it may affect hormone-related problems. Studies have found that yoga can reduce stress, improve mood, boost a sluggish metabolism, and slow the heart rate. Specific yoga positions deal with particular problems, such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal and urinary problems, and other pains.ExerciseExercise helps ease hot flashes by lowering the amount of circulating FSH and LH and by raising endorphin levels that drop while having a hot flash. Even exercising 20 minutes three times a week can significantly reduce hot flashes.EliminationRegular, daily bowel movements to eliminate waste products from the body can be crucial in maintaining balance through menopause. The bowels are where circulating hormones are gathered and eliminated, keeping the body from recycling them and causing an imbalance.AcupunctureThis ancient Asian art involves placing very thin needles into different parts of the body to stimulate the system and unblock energy. It is usually painless and has been used for many menopausal symptoms, including insomnia, hot flashes, and irregular periods. Practitioners believe that acupuncture can facilitate the opening of blocked energy channels, allowing the life force energy (chi) to flow freely. This allows the menopausal woman to keep her energy moving. Blocked energy usually increases the symptoms of menopause.Acupressure and massageTherapeutic massage involving acupressure can bring relief from a wide range of menopause symptoms by placing finger pressure at the same meridian points on the body that are used in acupuncture. There are more than 80 different types of massage, including foot reflexology, Shiatsu massage, or Swedish massage, but they are all based on the idea that boosting the circulation of blood and lymph benefits health.Key termsEndometrium — The lining of the uterus that is shed with each menstrual period.Estrogen — Female hormone produced by the ovaries and released by the follicles as they mature. Responsible for female sexual characteristics, estrogen stimulates and triggers a response from at least 300 tissues, and may help some types of breast cancer to grow. After menopause, the production of the hormone gradually stops.Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) — A treatment for menopause in which estrogen is given in pill, patch, or cream form.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) — The pituitary hormone that stimulates the ovary to mature egg capsules (follicles). It is linked with rising estrogen production throughout the cycle. An elevated FSH (above 40) indicates menopause.Hormone — A chemical messenger secreted by a gland that is released into the blood, and that travels to distant cells where it exerts an effect.Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — The use of estrogen and progesterone to replace hormones that the ovary no longer supplies.Hot flash — A wave of heat that is one of the most common perimenopausal symptoms, triggered by the hypothalamus' response to estrogen withdrawal.Hysterectomy — Surgical removal of the uterus.Ovary — One of the two almond-shaped glands in the female reproductive system responsible for producing eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.Ovulation — The monthly release of an egg from the ovary.Pituitary gland — The "master gland" at the base of the brain that secretes a number of hormones responsible for growth, reproduction, and other activities. Pituitary hormones stimulate the ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone.Progesterone — The hormone that is produced by the ovary after ovulation to prepare the uterine lining for a fertilized egg.Testosterone — Male hormone produced by the testes and (in small amounts) in the ovaries. Testosterone is responsible for some masculine secondary sex characteristics such as growth of body hair and deepening voice.Uterus — The female reproductive organ that contains and nourishes a fetus from implantation until birth. Also known as the womb.Vagina — The tube-like passage from the vulva (a woman's external genital structures) to the cervix (the portion of the uterus that projects into the vagina).BiofeedbackSome women have been able to control hot flashes through biofeedback, a painless technique that helps a person train her mind to control her body. A biofeedback machine provides information about body processes (such as heart rate) as the woman relaxes her body. Using this technique, it is possible to control the body's temperature, heart rate, and breathing.PrognosisMenopause is a natural condition of aging. Some women have no problems at all with menopause, while others notice significant unpleasant symptoms. A wide array of treatments, from natural to hormone replacement, mean that no woman needs to suffer through this time of her life.PreventionMenopause is a natural part of the aging process and not a disease that needs to be prevented. Most doctors recommend HRT for almost all post-menopausal women, usually for a few years. When HRT is then stopped, symptoms should be mild or non existent. But HRT is not only useful in lessening the symptoms of menopause; it also protects against heart disease and osteoporosis.ResourcesBooksGoldman, Lee, et al., editors. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 21st ed. W. B. Saunders, 2000.Goroll, Allan H., et al. Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000.OtherMenopause Online Page. http://www.menopause-online.com/links.htm.Menopause Page. 〈http://www.howdyneighbor.com/menopaus〉.Meno Times Online. 〈http://www.aimnet.com/hyperion/meno/menotimes.index.html〉.menopause [men´o-pawz] cessation of menstruation, defined as being when menstruation has not occurred for 6 to 12 months. The climacteric is that phase of life during which a woman passes from the reproductive to the non-reproductive stage. adj., adj menopau´sal.
Menopause is a natural physiologic process that results from the normal aging of the ovaries. It occurs when the ovaries can no longer perform the function of ovulation and estrogen production. Because estrogen secretion stops, physiologic changes occur in the woman's body. The uterine tubes shrink in size and become less capable of movement. The uterus, the cavity of the uterus, and the cervix also decrease in size. The vagina contracts and its folds become shallower. The clitoris and external sexual organs become smaller. There may be some thinning of the pubic and axillary hair. The breasts usually become less full and firm.
Osteoporosis is one of the important health hazards associated with the climacteric. After cessation of ovarian function, bone loss (reduction in bone quantity without chemical change) is accelerated and fractures can more easily occur. In addition, after menopause women's risk of heart attack increases progressively until age 70, when it becomes equal to the risk for men. Recent research questions the use of hormone replacement therapy for healthy postmenopausal women.
Menopause normally takes place between the ages of 40 and 58. If it occurs before age 40 it is premature menopause; after 58 it is called delayed menopause. Both premature and delayed menopause should be evaluated by a health care provider, because they can be inherited or be indicative of a primary endocrine disorder or gynecologic dysfunction.
About 25 per cent of American women reach menopause by the age of 47, half by the age of 50, 75 per cent by age 52, and 95 per cent by age 55. The climacteric period can last from 6 months to 3 years or more. There does not seem to be a relationship between age at menarche and age at menopause. Marriage, childbearing, height, weight, and prolonged use of oral contraceptives also do not seem to influence age at menopause. Smoking, however, is associated with earlier menopause. If for medical reasons surgery or radiation of the reproductive organs becomes necessary, artificial or surgical menopause can occur if both ovaries are removed or rendered dysfunctional. The symptoms usually are more severe than in natural menopause because of the sudden rather than gradual diminution of hormonal secretion.Symptoms. The most readily recognized sign that a woman has entered the perimenopausal period is menstrual irregularity. The most common pattern is a gradual decrease in both amount and duration of flow during menses, tapering gradually to spotting and then cessation. In some cases there may be more frequent and heavier bleeding or bleeding between periods.
Menopause has taken place when periods have ceased for 6 to 12 months. Hormonal changes in menopause, which are responsible for many of its physical and psychological symptoms, include overproduction of both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and increased testosterone production by the ovaries.
The symptoms most commonly reported by menopausal women are hot flushes (flashes) of the face, neck, and upper body, excessive perspiration, especially at night, vaginal dryness, stress incontinence or urinary frequency, joint pain and backache, and insomnia, which is usually due to hot flashes. From 40 to 70 per cent of women experience hot flashes and 25 to 49 per cent have episodes of sweating during menopause.
There is variability in women's responses to menopause. Individual characteristics and self-perceptions, as well as sociopolitical factors, are important determinants of each woman's experience of the climacteric. Sexual function is affected by three components: motivation (desire and libido), endocrine function, and sociocultural beliefs. The decreased estrogen after menopause leads to atrophy of the internal genitalia, diminished genital secretion, less vasocongestion, and decreased vaginal expansion. These may not be experienced as discrete symptoms, but may influence a woman's perception that she is less responsive. Genital atrophy, however, does respond to estrogen therapy.Treatment. Hormonal replacement therapy with estrogen is prescribed with caution because of contraindications and the possibility of complications. The health care provider prescribing estrogen replacement therapy takes into account such risk factors as potential for malignancy, thrombophlebitis or thromboembolism, or liver disease; obesity; varicosities; hypertension; and heavy smoking. Malignancy is a primary concern. The overall risk of breast cancer with estrogen use has not been shown to be increased, although long-term use has been associated with a mildly increased risk (1.2 to 1.5) in some meta-analyses. The greatest risk for malignancy is the link noted between endometrial cancer and unopposed estrogen therapy. The addition of at least 10 days of progestin therapy along with estrogen therapy eliminates the increased risk of endometrial cancer but may cause withdrawal bleeding. Less bleeding usually occurs with combined, continuous administration of both.
Alternatives to hormonal replacement include limitation of foods high in saturated fat and nitrites and avoiding red meat, coffee, tea, chocolate, colas, and alcohol. Vitamins E and D, vitamins of the B complex, calcium gluconate or carbonate, and magnesium may be prescribed by some health care providers. Regular exercise is especially important during and after the climacteric years. Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, which increase one's sense of well-being, improve circulation, and help prevent osteoporosis.Patient Care. Patient education is extremely important in the management of perimenopausal symptoms. Many times the patient suffers because of misinformation and lack of understanding that menopause is a natural process in the life of every woman. The manner in which she reacts to the changes taking place at this period of her life depends to a great extent on her feelings of self-esteem. Knowing what to expect, having a knowledgeable and empathetic person who takes her symptoms seriously and offers support and guidance, and being able to get some control over what is happening to herself can significantly improve the menopausal woman's physical and mental health.men·o·pause (men'ō-pawz), Permanent cessation of the menses due to ovarian failure; termination of the menstrual life. [meno- + G. pausis, cessation] menopause (mĕn′ə-pôz′)n.1. The permanent cessation of menstruation, usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55.2. The period during which such cessation occurs. In both sense, also called climacteric.
men′o·paus′al adj.menopause The cessation of menstrual activity in women due to failure to form ovarian follicles, which normally occurs at age 45–50; menopause < age of 40 is considered premature.
Clinical findings
Menstrual irregularity, vasomotor instability, hot flushes, irritability, increased weight, painful breasts, dyspareunia, increased/decreased libido, atrophy of urogenital epithelium and skin, ASHD, MI, strokes, and osteoporosis (which can be lessened by hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the disadvantage of which is an increase in endometrial and breast cancer, possibly hypertension, thromboembolism and gallbladder disease).
Physiological changes
• Bladder—Cystourethritis, frequency/urgency, stress incontinence.
• Breasts—Decreased Size, softer consistency, sagging.
• Cardiovascular—Angina, ASHD, CAD.
• Endocrine—Hot flashes/flushes.
• Mucocutaneous—Atrophy, dryness, pruritus, facial hirsutism, dry mouth.
• Neurologic—Psychological, sleep disturbances.
• Pelvic floor—Uterovaginal prolapse.
• Skeleton—Osteoporosis, fractures, low back pain.
• Vagina—Bloody discharge, dyspareunia, vaginitis.
• Vocal cords—Deepened voice.
• Vulva—Atrophy, dystrophy, pruritus.menopause Change of life, climacteric, 'time of life' Gynecology The cessation of menstrual activity due to failure to form ovarian follicles, which normally occurs age 45–50 Clinical Menstrual irregularity, vasomotor instability, 'hot flashes', irritability or psychosis, ↑ weight, painful breasts, dyspareunia, ↑/↓ libido, atrophy of urogenital epithelium and skin, ASHD, MI, strokes and osteoporosis–which can be lessened by HRT. See Estrogen replacement therapy, Hot flashes, Male menopause, Premature ovarian failure, Premature menopause. Cf Menarche. Menopause–”…what a drag it is getting old.” Jagger, Richards Bladder Cystourethritis, frequency/urgency, stress incontinence Breasts ↓ Size, softer consistency, sagging Cardiovascular Angina, ASHD, CAD Endocrine Hot flashes Mucocutaneous Atrophy, dryness, pruritus, facial hirsutism, dry mouth Neurologic Psychological, sleep disturbances Pelvic floor Uterovaginal prolapse Skeleton Osteoporosis, fractures, low back pain Vagina Bloody discharge, dyspareunia, vaginitis Vocal cords Deepened voice Vulva Atrophy, dystrophy, pruritus men·o·pause (men'ŏ-pawz) Permanent cessation of the menses. [meno- + G. pausis, cessation]menopause The end of the reproductive period in women when the ovaries have ceased to form GRAAFIAN FOLLICLES and produce eggs (ova) and menstruation has stopped. The menopause usually occurs between the ages of 48 and 54. There is reduced production of oestrogen hormones by the ovaries and this may cause accelerated loss of bone bulk (OSTEOPOROSIS) and thinning and drying of the vagina (atrophy) with difficulty and discomfort in sexual intercourse. The common menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, headaches and general irritability) have not been proved to be due to oestrogen deficiency, but these usually settle if oestrogens are given. HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY may be indicated for osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy. The term is derived from the Greek meno , a month, and pausos , cessation.menopause or climacteric the time at which women stop ovulating, with the result that the normal MENSTRUAL CYCLE no longer occurs. This is normally at about 45 to 50 years of age.men·o·pause (men'ŏ-pawz) Permanent cessation of the menses. [meno- + G. pausis, cessation]Patient discussion about menopauseQ. If I Have a Hysterectomy, Will I Go Through Menopause? I am 40 years old and my Doctor said I have to have a Hysterectomy. Does this mean I will go through an early menopause? A. Menopause is different for every woman, whether she’s had a hysterectomy or not.
After a partial hysterectomy, you’re likely to experience a normal perimenopause and menopause, but it is hard to know when it’s starting because there are no periods to identify the initial changes. Menopause is defined by the cessation of periods for one full year for a woman with a uterus. The cessation of periods is just one point in a process that can take many years. That process still occurs in women who have no uterus, but who still have their ovaries, since it is the ovaries that make most of our sex hormones.
Q. Curious as to what to expect with menopause A. Menopause symptoms are caused due to rapid decline in hormonal levels- especially estrogen. You should expect to experience a variety of symptoms, that may be unpleasant such as hot flashes, palpitations, night sweats, vaginal atrophy (drying), skin drying, slight decrease in sexual drive, mood changes, urgency in urination and more. Not all women have these symptoms, and usually woman don't have all the symptoms. Q. Has anyone tried black cohosh for the later years in life? A. my mother in law took it, she said it was very helpful but it could be a placebo effect... here is some info about black cohosh from a very relay able site More discussions about menopausemenopauseenUK
Related to menopause: Male menopauseSynonyms for menopausenoun the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle endsSynonyms- change of life
- climacteric
Related Words- biological time
- middle age
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