“The journey … was not always as serene and joyful as I previously had imagined,” continued Dr. Loppie. “The lack of sleep almost did me in and the loss of control left me feeling quite weary.”
What is menopause?
Menopause is the permanent cessation of menses and is defined as the end of the last menstrual period. This is according to an article by Dr. Wee Horng Yen, Consultant and Director of Women's Wellness Centre at KK Women's and Children's Hospital at HealthXchange.com.sg.
The word ‘menopause’ literally means the ‘end of monthly cycles’ from the Greek words ‘pausis’ (cessation) and the word root men from "mensis" meaning (month).
Menopause can be expected to start in the age range of 42 to 58, and the average age of menopause in western societies is 51 years whereas in Singapore
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Depending on genetics, lifestyle, diet, stress, general health and cultural perspective will influence when and how dramatically a woman experience menopause symptoms. Some symptoms like vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms may persist into postmenopause, but most diminish and disappear within two to three years, according to Dr. Wee.
What happens in the body during menopause?
Hormonal changes occur during menopause, and these changes cause the cycle to become irregular in the perimenopausal years or the period leading to, during, and after menopause. The cycle can be shortened, appearing as a two-week cycle, or the flow during periods may become heavy, according to an article at HealthXchange.com.sg.
Sometimes the period may
be missed for a few months, followed by a very heavy period. This happens due to skipped ovulation or the release of the egg from the ovary during the middle of the cycle. Once the period has stopped for 12 months, menopause is said to have occurred.
How does menopause affect a woman mentally?
Psychological symptoms are frequently reported around the time of menopause and these symptoms include depression, loss of memory, irritability, poor concentration, tiredness and loss of confidence, according to Dr. Wee in another article at HealthXchange.com.sg.
Sleep disturbances and insomnia are not unusual because of night sweats and hot flushes.
Changes in domestic arrangements and feelings of loss of youth and femininity may be expected. A combination of physical and psychological influences can also result in a complete loss of libido, decreased sexual satisfaction, and avoidance of intercourse.
How to cope with menopause?
Although intervention is often not necessary, it is a good time for women to begin taking stock of their health. All perimenopausal and postmenopausal women should see the doctor annually for a full physical exam, which should include breast checkup, mammogram, pelvic exam and Pap smear test, as advised in an article at HealthXchange.com.sg.
Risk of heart disease and colon cancer should also be assessed. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding foods that can trigger hot flushes, can be helpful for coping with mild hot flushes and other symptoms.
In cases of severe and bothersome symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be prescribed. This can be in the form of tablets, patches, gels, vaginal pessaries or cream. It may consist of estrogen only or a combination of estrogen and progesterone to help regulate the condition of inner lining of the uterus.
There are other medications that can be used for specific symptoms like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression and clonidine for hot flushes.
What about andropause?
Andropause or male menopause is sometimes also called ‘manopause.’ Unlike the severe and sudden oestrogen decline of women during menopause, the male hormone or testosterone drops gradually as men age. According to an article contributed by Changi General, Department of Urology at HealthXchange.com.sg, when the testosterone falls below certain levels, the men will suffer the symptoms of low testosterone or andropause. Such deterioration frequently goes unnoticed by men as the process of their condition is more drawn out.
What are the symptoms of andropause?
Irritability, fatigue,
depression, reduced libido are said to be hallmark signs of andropause, as described in an article by DiscoveryHealth.com writers at HowStuffWorks.com.
A low level of testosterone may lead to impotence and a decreased sexual drive for men between the ages of 40 and 70. The man may also experience a lack of motivation to work and be unable to remember things as well as before. The waist or belly may also begin to grow as a result of more fat deposits. With strength dips, muscles softening, and bone mass decreases, a condition called osteoporosis puts him at a higher risk for bone fracture. This is according to the article by Changi General Hospital
How can andropause be treated?
Andropause is a natural process and a man can help himself by developing a healthy lifestyle in order to delay its onset, as advised in the article by
Various methods of hormone replacement are available, if required. One of the most popular is taking testosterone capsules. Another popular method is by injection. Other forms of replacement may include gels and patches. The length of time required for replacement varies. Medication can continue as long as the man finds it helps improve his symptoms.
by NHS Choices
For professional help with hormonal related treatments, please consult a family physician or an endocrinologist.
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