Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation. The average age of occurrence is 50. During menopause, many complaints originating from different parts of the body can be observed. The basis of these complaints is the decrease in the level of estrogen hormone that occurs with menopause. This hormone is an important hormone that gives feminine characteristics. In addition, it also has effects on the functioning of various organ systems. The disappearance of these effects causes the complaints we will talk about.
Absence of menstruation: The most distinctive feature of menopause is the cessation of menstruation. Cessation of menstruation is an indication that the ovaries have lost their functions. There is no treatment to delay menopause. Some women want to menstruate with medication after they enter menopause. In this way, they accept that they have not entered menopause, which is a wrong idea. Medicines do not delay the age of menopause.
Hot flashes: One of the classic symptoms of menopause is hot flashes. Although the complaint of hot flashes varies between individuals, it is characterized by recurrent temporary flushing, sweating and a hot feeling. is characterized. It usually takes 1-3 minutes. It repeats 5-10 times a day. Hot flashes occur in 50% of menopausal women. 25% of these women complain of serious and frequently recurring hot flashes. Hot flashes are also expressed as night sweats when they occur during night sleep. Night sweats can cause restlessness and irritability in women due to disruption of sleep patterns. It is known that if no drug treatment is applied, mild hot flashes will gradually subside within 3-5 years.
Sleep disorders: With the decrease in estrogen hormone in menopause, changes in sleep patterns can be observed. Drowsiness, memory problems and absent-mindedness may occur, as well as serious sleep problems as a result of night sweats.
Changes in the vagina and urinary tract: With the effect of estrogen hormone, which decreases with menopause, one-third of the patients experience changes in the vagina and urinary tract within 4-5 years. weakening is observed. This aging of the vaginal tissue; It is manifested by dryness, pain during sexual intercourse and recurrent vaginal infections. Aging in the urinary tract causes burning sensation during urination, frequent urination and urination. It may cause incontinence problems.
Memory and attention deficit: Short-term memory loss and concentration impairment may be observed in menopausal women. It is known that this condition is related to the decrease in estrogen hormone. In addition, disruption in sleep patterns can also cause these complaints.
Heart diseases: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in women over the age of 50. The risk of death from cardiovascular disease in the pre-menopausal period is 3 times less in women than in men. However, this risk increases significantly with menopause. It is the estrogen hormone that protects women from heart diseases. Unlike the conditions mentioned above, there are other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Genetic tendency, age, lifestyle, stress and nutritional habits are important in the emergence of the disease.
Read: 0