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Menopause is a natural event, and women usually experience menopause symtoms between the ages of 45 and 55.
Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, your body produces less oestrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, and eventually stops altogether.
Once menopause is complete, you can no longer become pregnant, however during menopause it is still possible to become pregnant so safe sex still needs to be practiced.
The many and different menopause symptoms are caused by changes in the oestrogen and progesterone levels that your body produces. As a woman’s ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. Not every woman has the same menopause symptoms or severity of symptoms
In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it tapers off. During this time, your menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 to 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely.
A slow decrease of oestrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are surgically removed, symptoms can be more severe.
The symptoms of menopause may include any of the following:
• Breast tenderness
• Chronic fatigue
• Cold or tingling hands and feet
• Craving sweets, caffeine, carbohydrates
• Depression, anxiety
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Dry, thin, or wrinkly skin
• Endometriosis
• Facial hair growth
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Hair loss, thinning hair
• Headaches, migraines
• Heart palpitations
• Heavy or light periods
• Hot flashes
• Incontinence
• Irregular periods
• Irritability, inability to handle stress
• Lack of concentration, foggy, fuzzy thinking
• Leg cramps
• Low metabolism
• Lower sex drive, loss of sex drive
• Menstrual cramping
• Morning sluggishness
• Mood swings
• Memory lapses
• Night sweats
• Osteoporosis
• PMS
• Ringing, buzzing in ears
• Sleep disturbances, insomnia
• Spotting, light bleeding
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism with normal T3 and T4
• Unstable blood sugar
• Urinary tract infections
• Uterine Fibroids
• Vaginal dryness
• Water retention
• Weight gain, especially around the hips, waist and stomach
• Yeast infections
• Aching Joints and Muscles
• Allergy symptoms
In addition, the long-term effects of menopause include:
* Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis
* Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease
It is important to remember that menopause is a natural process. It does not require treatment unless any of the menopause symptoms, are particularly unbearable or annoying.
It is possible to relieve menopause symptoms by taking hormone replacement therapy or by taking alternative natural medications. However before taking any medications to alleviate menopause symptoms, discuss the options with your doctor or pharmacist and weigh the risks against any possible benefits.
For more information about menopause visit http://www.aussiechemistinfo.com, a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources that include women’s health, men’s health, general health and beauty.
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