Menopause in women symptoms, age, signs after 40-45 years

Many women begin to listen to their well-being after 40 years, looking for the symptoms of menopause in everything. Headaches caused by intellectual overstrain, dizziness provoked by exhausting mono diets, and even a violation the menstrual cycle associated with moving to another climatic zone - everything suddenly begins to be perceived as an inevitable beginning old age. On this basis, a woman develops mental disorders, which bring the development of real menopause closer. A full gynecological examination will help not to become a victim of a contrived pseudo-climax. And we will help you not to miss the real prerequisites of the physiological process.

Climax and its stages

Menopause is a physiological process characterized by a change in the work of the endocrine system and a slow extinction of the activity of the ovaries. After menopause, the level of female sex hormones decreases to critical levels, and the woman loses the ability to reproduce. But this is not all the consequences of the climacteric period. The fact is that sex hormones are responsible not only for childbirth, but also for the uninterrupted functionality of the whole organism. Therefore, a deficiency of estrogen and progesterone adversely affects the emotional state, the work of vital organs and systems. First of all, they suffer: heart muscle, joints, bone tissue.

Hormonal swings lead to menstrual irregularities and changes in hormone-dependent organs. This process does not pass without leaving a trace, exhausting a woman physically and psychologically, making her an easy prey for any kind of disease.

Usually the first symptoms of menopause appear at the age of 45, but under the influence of certain factors, the signs of menopause may appear earlier or later.

Menopause symptoms do not develop overnight, because hormonal changes have a phase course.

The clinical picture of manifestations depends on the stage of menopause:

1. The first stage, preceding the menopause, appears early, or may not appear until the age of 50. Critical days are still coming, but their duration and the nature of the discharge are changing. Women suffering from PMS notice an increase in the syndrome. Now, abdominal pain, headaches, skin rash, general weakness, nausea are added to the swelling and soreness of the mammary glands.
2. At about 50 years of age, menopause begins directly, with all that it implies. The menstrual cycle stops and the woman can no longer have children. But we can talk about the cessation of reproductive function only when menstruation does not come during the year. If, after a six-month pause, critical days began again, it is too early to talk about the impossibility of ovulation. It is during this period that the largest number of abortions or miscarriages occurs. In order not to replenish the sad statistics, use contraceptives until the climax is confirmed by a gynecologist. The symptomatology of climacteric syndrome is growing and leads to severe, sometimes incurable consequences.
3. The ovaries work more, the body has already adjusted to the estrogen deficiency, the symptoms are gradually disappearing.

Why menopause comes

It would seem that everything is clear, because with age, a woman's body ages, so why should this fate bypass the reproductive system? Everything is correct here. But few people know that in addition to a physiological decrease in the production of hormones, the development of menopause can lead to:

• primary ovarian insufficiency (PNI);
• autoimmune processes in the ovaries;
• removal of the ovaries and genital organ;
• rays and chemotherapy used to suppress cancerous tumors;
• long-term nicotine addiction;
• systematic stress.

Climacteric age

The process of physiological decline in reproductive function associated with insufficient production of estrogen and progesterone starts after 30 years. But over the next 15 years, it is too early to talk about the onset of menopause. The menstrual cycle is still very stable and conception is not a problem.

Doctors assure that not long ago the timely onset of female menopause occurred at the age of 46-53 years. It was during these periods that the climacteric syndrome developed. Now in most women, the first signs of menopause appear after 40–45 years.

They say about premature menopause if the characteristic symptoms appear before the age of 40.

Hormonal deficiency that occurs at the age of 55 and older is classified as late menopause. Women with delayed menopause should be careful - they all automatically fall into the risk group for the development of malignant neoplasms in the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vagina.

Symptoms of menopause at 40-45 years old

Hormonal imbalance is the cause of many health problems. And the sooner you go to a gynecologist, the sooner you will receive qualified help and avoid the development of climacteric syndrome. It is better not to postpone a visit to a specialist if you have the following symptoms:

• the duration of the menstrual cycle is disturbed;
• critical days come when they please;
• at times the blood rushes to the face and neck, while it becomes very hot (then suddenly there is a chill and "goosebumps" running through the body);
• the activity of the sweat glands increases;
• limbs go numb;
• blood pressure jumps;
• the heart "pounds", jumps out of the chest;
• insomnia appears;
• brain activity worsens: a woman complains of poor memory, absent-mindedness, inability to concentrate;
• the mood changes several times a day: tearfulness is suddenly replaced by fun, etc.;
• attacks of unmotivated aggression occur;
• intimacy brings discomfort;
• extra pounds "grow" on the waist and hips.

If you find at least three of the listed symptoms, show yourself to a gynecologist and get tested for hormones. With a simultaneous increase in the level of FSH and LH, and a decrease in estrogen with progesterone, we can confidently talk about the onset of menopause.

Interesting fact: About 15% of women after 45 years old do not feel the first signs of menopause. In 40% of patients, climacteric syndrome occurs in the premenopause, in 40–85% in the menopausal period, and only in 3% - a couple of years after the onset of menopause.

Causes of early menopause in 38-40 years

Under the influence of certain negative factors, early menopause begins in women and its symptoms are felt even before the age of 40. In this case, the prerequisites for the extinction of reproductive function are:

• unfavorable ecological background;
• addiction to nicotine;
• alcohol addiction;
• termination of pregnancy (artificial or spontaneous);
• constant stress;
• addiction to mono diets or a poor diet.

Also, early age-related changes in hormonal levels can occur against the background of a genetic predisposition (if the mother begins menopause before the age of 40, the daughter's risk of early menopause increases).

If there are no pathological symptoms, and there are no serious health problems, menopause does not belong to the category of pathological ones.

Preventive measures

It is possible to prevent the development of climacteric syndrome and minimize the risk of complications if preventive measures are not neglected. On the threshold of her 40th birthday, every woman should:

1. Stay physically active. This will not only keep the body in good shape, but also prevent the growth of extra pounds.
2. Take vitamin and mineral complexes. This will keep your body healthy, and keep your skin, hair and nails looking young.
3. Get hardened. But don't go to extremes. Reduce the temperature of the water gradually, sleep with the window open only in summer or in the off-season. In winter, airing the bedroom for 10 minutes before bed is sufficient.
4. Balance your diet. No snacks on the street! Limit your intake of salt, sugar, and starchy foods. Spice up your menu with fresh, fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, drink milk to keep your bones strong, and focus on the natural estrogen soy.
5. Have sex at least twice a week.
6. Strengthen your immune system. In summer, lean on fruits, vegetables and herbs, in winter, be sure to drink vitamins. Often sick women find it useful to relax at health resorts with mud baths, massages, oxygen cocktails and other "amenities".

How to avoid complications

Hormonal deficiency that occurs during menopause can lead to the development of neoplasms. The organs of the reproductive system are at risk. To identify pathology at an early stage, check with a gynecologist, mammologist every six months.

To minimize the risks, follow the recommendations of the doctors:

1. Refuse uncontrolled intake of hormonal drugs. Estrogen-progesterone pills can provoke the development of a tumor already in the body. That is why, before recommending HRT, the doctor prescribes a detailed examination. After making sure that there are no contraindications, the gynecologist can choose the right medicine, designate a safe, effective dosage.
2. Engage in physiotherapy exercises. Leave strength training in the gym to young women and girls. Even a 15-minute warm-up is enough to keep fit.
3. Avoid mono diets. So you save your body from unnecessary stress. Indeed, with menopause, he already has a hard time.
4. Keep your weight in check. In the female body, estrogen is presented in three forms. One of them is endowed with destructive properties. It is produced from adipose tissue and increases the risk of developing cancer several times. Yes, with menopause, almost all women gain weight - this is more a rule than a deviation. But with competent HRT and an adequate lifestyle, you can not bring your body weight to a critical level.
5. Walk more outdoors. Saturating the blood with oxygen, you support the work of all organs and systems, "cleanse" the brain, and normalize sleep.
6. Give up addictions. Smoking and alcohol are the enemies of female beauty and the best factors for the development of tumor processes in the female body. They enhance the destructive properties of free radicals several times.
7. Do not neglect intimate hygiene. Monitor the health and condition of the genitals, avoid unprotected intercourse (if you do not have a permanent sexual partner). Remember, the best contraceptives are barrier contraceptives. Condoms protect against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

When a doctor is needed

Climax is not a period that can be left to chance. Even with mild, not complicating life manifestations of menopausal syndrome, a woman needs a specialist consultation. And in some situations, neglect of medical help can lead to dangerous consequences.

Problem # 1

Menopausal symptoms appeared before the age of 45, and the violation is not due to heredity. During the examination, the picture of hormonal disorders will be clear, and the doctor will correct them.

Problem # 2

Menopause is accompanied by severe dizziness. The woman is assigned an examination of the vascular system, consultation with an otolaryngologist. This will allow to exclude serious diseases (vertebrobasilar insufficiency, Meniere's disease) and select symptomatic treatment.

Problem number 3

The woman complains about the rapid hair growth of the "male zones": breasts, face. In most cases, hirsutism with menopause develops against the background of a decrease in estrogen and an increase in the sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens. But sometimes this symptom indicates the formation of a hormone-dependent neoplasm.

Problem # 4

Constant discomfort in the genital area, "dry" vagina with intimacy, systematic inflammation may indicate the presence of an infectious process. If the pathological cause is not confirmed, unpleasant manifestations are corrected by HRT, lubricants.

Problem # 5

Involuntary urination makes a woman's life hell. For some, urine is poured out immediately and in large quantities, for some a little, with sudden movement, sneezing or coughing. The condition requires consultation with a urologist.

Problem # 6

The formation of a noticeable seal in the mammary gland, bloody vaginal discharge (when menstruation has already stopped). Run to the doctor immediately, because this combination of symptoms indicates a neoplasm in the uterus, mammary gland.

Problem # 7

Pain in the heart, shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbances require a complete cardiac examination. Timely identification of emerging pathologies will reduce the risk of developing a heart attack.

Problem # 8

Severe hot flashes, accompanied by a frantic heartbeat, excessive sweating, a rapid increase in blood pressure and other unpleasant symptoms require corrective therapy.

Problem number 9

Instability of the psychoemotional state, affecting relationships with others, performance. Attacks of unmotivated aggression, tearfulness, depression require immediate medical attention.

Feeling the signs of menopause at the age of 40, women ask in amazement: can this be so? (after all, quite recently, a neighbor who is a couple of years older gave birth to a child, and my mother and grandmother began menopause closer to 50 years old). According to the assurances of gynecologists, menopause, which occurred in the interval of 40–45 years, is a frequent occurrence. And it doesn't always indicate a deviation. And with adequate corrective therapy, the woman continues to lead a fulfilling life.