Menopause refers to the decline of ovarian function and the cessation of menstruation, something that women will face one day as they age. This is because as women get older, their body functions decline, especially their ovarian function.
What are the symptoms of pre-menopause?
1. Menstruation becomes disorderly
If abnormal uterine bleeding occurs during this period, it is necessary to go to the hospital for examination in time to prevent the occurrence of endometrial cancer. Specific signs of menstrual disorders are as follows
(1) Prolonged menstrual period
Before menopause, the menstrual cycle may slowly lengthen or become irregular, intermittent amenorrhea may occur, and the time between periods may become longer and longer from 20 to 30 days to two to three months or even longer, until the period finally stops.
(2) Changes in the volume of menstruation
The amount of menstruation may be normal or less than before. Sometimes the period may be prolonged or may become continuous vaginal bleeding with dripping; there may also be a sudden occurrence of heavy vaginal bleeding and then the flow stops and the period no longer occurs.
(3) Change in the color of menstrual blood
The color of menstrual blood becomes lighter, pinkish or even dark, with bruises, interspersed with small blood clots or fibrous fragments, due to the prolonged stagnation of menstrual blood in the uterus.
(4) Sudden onset of menopause
In a few women, the menstrual cycle has been normal in the past, and then suddenly menopause after the age of 50; there are also normal cycles, only a few times the volume of menstruation gradually decreases, and then menstruation suddenly stops.
2. Hot flashes
Hot flashes are the most common symptom of premenopausal women. Hot flashes are a sudden, temporary sensation, a heat flow that passes through the whole body, especially in the chest, face and head, accompanied by flushing, followed by sweating and then chills.
3. Palpitations and discomfort
Some women may experience palpitations and anxiety when they have hot flashes before menopause, which usually last for a few seconds to a few minutes.
4.Mood swings
Before and after menopause, women tend to have large mood swings, easily agitated and irritable, or depressed and suspicious, often unable to control themselves.
5, genitourinary system changes
Dry and wrinkled vulvar skin, thinning of subcutaneous fat, dry vagina, flattening of the walls, loss of elasticity, often leading to painful intercourse; breast atrophy, sagging. Shortening of the urethra, thinning of the mucous membrane, relaxation of the sphincter muscle, often urinary incontinence and recurrent bladder inflammation.
6, osteoporosis
With the arrival of menopause, women’s bone resorption rate is fast approaching osteogenesis, prompting bone loss into osteoporosis, bone compression will eventually lead to physical changes under the body, serious cases easily lead to bone.
7, bleeding after menopause
This phenomenon is due to the fact that ovarian function does not disappear completely after menopause, and still secretes a small amount of estrogen, resulting in the proliferation of the endometrium, which causes the endometrium to shed and bleed after a certain degree.
What is the age of menopause?
Generally speaking, the age of natural menopause varies from person to person, depending on factors such as living environment, nutrition, and personal health status.
Data show that the average age of menopause varies among women in different regions, from 52 years old in Europe and the United States to 50 years old in Asia and 48 years old in Africa; in addition, the average age of menopause is earlier for women in dry and cold regions than for women in warm and humid regions; the average age of menopause is earlier for women in high altitude regions than for women in low altitude regions.
Generally speaking, women who are short, underweight, and nutritionally deprived have a relatively earlier age of menopause than women who are fit, nutritious, and of moderate weight by 3-4 years; women who suffer from chronic wasting diseases, endocrine disorders, and metabolic disorders have an earlier age of menopause than healthy women of the same age; women who have a disharmonious sex life, a disharmonious relationship, and a chronically depressed mind have an earlier age of menopause. The age of menopause is also relatively earlier in women with long-term mental depression.