Menopause is a natural consequence of aging. The low estrogen level that comes with menopause will cause some changes in your body. These changes happen gradually over time. However, menopause is different for every woman. Some women experience minor changes in their bodies and moods, while others may have a hard time coping with menopause and its symptoms.
Hot Flashes
The most common symptom of menopause is hot flashes. It occurs in 75% of women who experience the menopause period. hot flashes; It is the feeling of fire that suddenly envelops the body. Hot flashes can occur at any time of the day or night. They can be mild or severe. Hot flashes can usually last from 30 seconds to several minutes. Some women experience it for a few months, some for a few years, while in some women it may not be seen at all.
Sleep Problems
As you approach menopause, sleep problems can be one of the biggest problems you will experience. Lack of sleep can affect your mood, health and daily activities. Some women may experience less REM sleep. REM sleep is the dreaming part of sleep and normally accounts for 20% of sleep. Without REM, you may feel restless when you wake up from sleep. While hot flashes are the main cause of trouble sleeping, for some, they can also be the reason for waking up from deep sleep.
Vaginal and Urinary Tract Changes
Estrogen deficiency causes some changes in the vagina. The endometrium may have a thinner and drier structure. These changes cause pain during sexual intercourse. They can also make the vagina more prone to infections, which can cause burning and itching.
The tissues in the urinary tract also change with age. The urethra may become drier, inflamed, and irritated. Some women may feel the need to urinate more often. The risk of bladder infections may increase after menopause.
Bone and Other Body Changes
Bone loss is a natural consequence of aging. The rate of bone loss increases during menopause. Bone thinning, called osteoporosis, increases the risk of bone fractures in older women. The bones in the hips, wrists, and spine are most affected by this condition.
Estrogen hormone produced before menopause protects women from heart attacks. Along with the decreasing amount of estrogen with menopause, this protection of women also decreases and the risk of heart attack increases.
Emotional Changes
Menopause does not cause sudden mood swings or depression. However, due to changes in hormone levels, you may feel more irritable, irritable, or tired. These feelings can also be caused by sleep probes, another symptom of menopause.
If you're under a lot of stress, it can be even harder to deal with the changes that come with menopause. Many middle-aged women go through significant life changes, after all. As time passes and roles change, stress can occur within the family. Financial or work-related problems can also create stress. Some women learn how to deal with an empty nest as they watch their children leave the house. Some are sad that they can no longer have children. If you find it difficult to cope with these feelings, it is useful to talk to your spouse, a close friend, counselor or doctor.
Sexuality
Menopause does not affect your ability to enjoy sex. However, estrogen deficiency can cause vaginal dryness. Estrogen support and vaginal lubricants can moisturize the vagina and facilitate intercourse.
Regular sexual intercourse helps the vagina maintain its natural elasticity. If you have regular sexual intercourse, you may not experience major changes during menopause.
Some women may lose interest in sex during or after menopause. This happens because of low hormone levels.
In men, sexual desire may decrease in parallel with age. An older man may have an erection or ejaculation later, or impotence problems may occur. Impotence is usually due to physical or medical problems or medications used. In most cases, it can be successfully treated.
Talk to your partner about your feelings. Communication is key in such times of change.
Birth control
Despite the symptoms of menopause, you may still be able to conceive. If you have not been in the menopause process for 1 year, the risk of pregnancy still continues. In this process, you can choose one of the following birth control methods:
- Birth control pills - Safe for non-smoker women over 40
- Hormone implants or injections
- Intrauterine instruments
- Barrier methods - Diaphragm, condom
- Tubal ligation or vasectomy
Since birth control pills contain estrogen, they can be a very good choice for women. Birth control pills have protective effects for women against heart attacks and some types of cancer.
Not having intercourse on certain days of the menstrual cycle (counting the days) may also be a form of birth control used by some women, but this method is unreliable during menopause because ovulation is not regular.
Gynecological Examination
Every woman should visit the doctor regularly for periodic breast, pelvic and gynecological examinations. Sexually active women should have a smear test regularly. Between visits to the doctor, women should also do breast self-checks.
Depending on your age, your doctor may also request a mammogram. Every woman over the age of 40 should have a mammogram every 2 years, and every woman over the age of 50 should have a mammogram once a year.
Periodic Health Assessment
Routine Tests Frequency
Smear test If low risk result is obtained, doctor - patient joint decision after 3 normal tests.
cholesterol every 5 years
Mammography every 2 years until age 49, annually after age 50
Fecal occult blood test annually after age 50
Sigmoidoscopy every 3 to 5 years after age 50
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