Climacteric Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause is a natural stage in the functioning of the female organism. Menopause is accompanied by various symptoms, the severity of which depends on the organism adaptation to the fading of ovarian hormonal function. In 30-60% of cases among women in the menopause developing menopausal or menopausal syndrome, which is a pathological condition.

Menopause and menopause

Menopausal or menopausal syndrome pathological condition called during menopause, which complicates it for a variety of disorders in the following areas:

• adaptogenic;
• metabolic and endocrine;
• psychological and emotional;
• cardiovascular;
• autonomic.

Climax is not regarded by experts as a disease. It is a physiological, genetically determined condition of the female body, which is the age at restructuring the higher parts of the central nervous system. As a result of these changes observed decrease in synthesis, secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland, as well as the gradual development of the failure of functions that perform the sex glands.

In climacteric are three phase.

1. Premenopausal. This stage is characterized by the appearance of symptoms indicative of fading hormonal function. Premenopausal lasts an average of 4-5 years before the last menstrual period. The woman observed violations of the cycle with a change in its duration and volume of emissions. In the presence of spontaneous ovulation genital function is preserved. Menopausal syndrome in this phase develops in 35% of cases.
2. Menopausal. Phase means the last month, and the next year, during which menstruation and any spotting should be absent. Symptoms suggestive of menopause syndrome, identified in women and 70% of cases.
3. Postmenopausal. At this stage there is no estrogen synthesis in the ovaries, increased levels of gonadotropins and marked morphofunctional rearrangement organs of the female body.

During the period of menopause experience various disorders of the functioning of the organism, which are combined by the term "menopausal syndrome". In the early period have symptoms of climacteric syndrome. This so-called menopause begins its development in pre-menopausal women, and lasts approximately two to three years. In the most difficult cases, the duration of menopausal syndrome can be 10-15 years.

Causes

The primary cause of menopausal syndrome are age-related changes in hypothalamic structures. Master gland which regulates the cyclical changes of the menstrual cycle, the hypothalamus is. In this region is synthesized gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Under its influence anterior pituitary produces FSH and LH. These hormones affect the maturation and functioning of both follicles and yellow body of the ovary.

The ovaries-pituitary-hypothalamic form a coherent system. It is based on the principles of feedback observed. Age-related changes in the character of involutive hypothalamic structures become a cause of reducing the sensitivity to the effects of estrogen produced by the ovaries.

In order to restore the balance of the hypothalamus, increasing the production of GnRH, FSH stimulates the synthesis of the pituitary gland. This leads to disruption of ovarian function, not only are isolated fractions of estrogens, but also components for their synthesis intermediate character. Cyclicity production of sex hormones also disrupted. The high level of FSH gradually causes the cessation of ovulation and reproductive function in general.

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland associated with other endocrine glands, the cortex. In connection with the changes arising affect the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous system. Gradually there is a development of the climacteric syndrome.

A certain part of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. If adrenal hormones are synthesized in the waning ovarian function, menopause occurs in a milder form. Thus, menopausal syndrome not observed.

The occurrence of menopausal or menopausal syndrome is influenced by several factors:

• professional labor, accompanied by prolonged mental or physical exhaustion;
• chronic stress condition;
• somatic diseases prior to menopause associated with impaired functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems;
• Complications during pregnancy and after childbirth;
• inflammatory processes in the pelvic area;
• violation of the cycle;
• serious surgical intervention in history;
• infectious diseases;
• obesity;
• smoking;
• harmful working conditions.

The emergence of menopausal syndrome may have a genetic predisposition.

symptoms

In premenopausal women, along with violations of the cycle there are neuro-psychiatric disorders, as well as dystonia, vazovegegativnye symptoms. By neuropsychiatric disorders include:

• sleep disorders and short-term memory;
• anxiety and obsessions;
• depression;
• diffidence;
• mood lability;
• tearfulness;
• irritability;
• headache;
• fatigue;
• poor concentration and performance;
• depression;
• depression or lack of libido.

Vegetative symptoms:

• tides, accompanied by fever and redness of the skin;
• dizziness;
• sweating, particularly at night;
• numbness of the fingers and cramps, feeling of pins and needles;
• a sense of lack of air;
• tingling in the heart;
• heart attacks;
• cardiac arrhythmias;
• pressure surges.

Signs of vascular dystonia often arise against the tide and sweating.

shape

Depending on the nature of the symptoms of menopausal or menopausal syndrome, there are three forms of it.

1. Typical. Hot flashes are accompanied by a feeling of heat to the face and neck, sweating, dizziness and headaches, sleep disorders.
2. Atypical. For this form of climacteric syndrome is also characterized by the usual symptoms. However, there may be a deposition of adipose tissue as a regional and uniform. A woman may observe swelling of the limbs and face, joint pain, dysuria. There is dryness of the vagina due to the atrophy process. Against the background of deterioration in general well-being sometimes weight loss appears. Some patients have a sympathetic-adrenal crises, which are accompanied by fear of death, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, allergic reactions, asthma attacks.
3. Combined. This shape is typical for women who have cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, liver function disorders, gall bladder, allergic diseases.

The severity of menopausal symptoms as determined by the frequency of hot flushes.

1. Easy form. Hot flashes are repeated throughout the day up to ten times. 1 degree diagnosed in 50% of women with menopausal or menopausal syndrome.
2. Srednetyazholaya form. During the day there is up to twenty attacks tides.
3. Heavy menopausal syndrome. Such menopausal syndrome is diagnosed in 20% of women in the menopause. The frequency of hot flushes with 3 degree may exceed twenty attacks.

According to statistics, violations of vegetative-vascular plan identified in 13% of patients, while depression - 10% of the representatives.

Diagnostics

Determination of menopausal syndrome is not a difficult task. Diagnosis is based on these components.

1. Regular or irregular menses. In menopausal and post-menopausal menses are absent.
2. Determination of a combination of various symptoms suggestive of disorders of the functioning of internal organs.
3. Exclusion or detection comorbidities. If they identify you establish a menopausal or menopausal.
4. Laboratory diagnosis, which allows to determine the hormonal status of women.
5. The survey also suggests consulting specialists, in particular, ophthalmologist, neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, an endocrinologist and a cardiologist.

The choice of diagnostic methods determined by the doctor based on the symptoms of menopausal or menopausal syndrome.

Methods of treatment

When menopause syndrome in the form of light treatment involves prophylaxis of the progression of various disorders. The patient is recommended food diet nature, which is dominated by dairy products, sea and ocean fish, lean meats. It is advisable to limit consumption:

• pork;
• duck;
• pickled foods;
• acute, fatty and fried foods and semi-containing flavor enhancers and preservatives;
• chocolate;
• strong tea and coffee.

Have high efficiency vitamins A, C and group B. In the treatment of menopausal or menopausal syndrome are often used:

• physiotherapeutic techniques;
• acupuncture;
• hydrotherapy;
• aromatherapy;
• hirudotherapy.

Sedative properties differ:

• motherwort tincture;
• hawthorn;
• Valerian rhizomes.

Methods of treating mild forms of menopausal syndrome coincides with the general prophylactic measures.

In the treatment of menopausal syndrome srednetyazholoy forms used restorative methods and means of medical treatment. Experts appointed:

• tranquilizers;
• antipsychotics;
• melatonin;
• antidepressants.

The following medications may be prescribed:

• frenolon;
• Relium;
• Metaperazin;
• ì;
• etaperazin;
• Enap;
• Klimalanin;
• Saguenay.

For the treatment of menopausal syndrome are widely used herbal drugs. The advantage of these agents is effective in soft and impact. Many means of medical treatment cause many side effects and can not always be prescribed to patients with climacteric syndrome. However, phytoestrogens are different efficiency with minimal risk of side effects. In addition, herbal medicines can be used for a long time.

Among the most effective herbal medicines for the treatment of menopausal syndrome gynecologists prescribe:

• Klimandion;
• Remens;
• Klimaktoplan;
• mastodinon;
• Estrovel;
• Innotech.

In severe during the climacteric syndrome as a hormonal treatment can be assigned. Hormone replacement therapy involves natural estrogens:

• estradiol valerate;
• estriol;
• Conjugated estrogens.

They are used together with gestagens:

• progesterone;
• dydrogesterone.

Experts say that the emotional sphere disorder difficult to treat. HRT is predominantly effective in the early stages of climacteric or menopausal syndrome. In premenopausal such preparations can be used for the treatment courses. In postmenopausal women, the treatment takes place in a continuous mode for a long time.

Hormone therapy can be performed by receiving both single and multiple drugs. Often used complex treatment which also involves correction of various disorders:

• cardiovascular;
• musculoskeletal;
• urogenital.

Menopausal syndrome, flowing in the form of heavy and difficult to treat, is a threat from the point of view of development of cerebrovascular accidents and heart attacks. That is why the treatment usually involves the appointment of consultations of doctors of different specialties.