Will I go through Menopause?
Yes, every woman goes through Menopause. It is a natural part of the life cycle.

When will Menopause begin for me?
There is no fixed age for the onset of Menopause but it usually occurs between the age of 35 and 55 years. No woman can be sure when she will go through Menopause, as each one has a unique biological cycle. (Your best clue)

Menopause does not occur overnight. The changes set in slowly, usually over a period of 3 to 5 years. Menopause is complete when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months in succession.

Causes

What causes Menopause?
Natural Menopause - This is caused by a natural decrease in the hormones produced by your body. Natural Menopause is a gradual biological occurrence, not a 'hormonal deficiency disease'. When you are younger, your body produces hormones like estrogen to prepare you for pregnancy. These are the hormones that cause monthly periods. Menopause begins when the level of hormones in your body starts to decline. With lower levels of hormones, your periods become erratic and eventually stop.

Surgical Menopause - Some women need to have their ovaries removed surgically. This leads to an immediate Menopause, unlike the gradual process of natural Menopause. Irrespective of the age at which such a surgery is undertaken, Menopause follows right away. This is called 'Surgical Menopause' A woman going through surgical Menopause usually faces more problems and almost always needs medical assistance to help her cope.

Sometimes a woman's ovaries are removed when she has her uterus (womb) removed for fibroids or cancer. Surgical removal of the uterus is called a Hysterectomy. But removal of the uterus alone does not cause Menopause. That happens only when the ovaries are removed.

Symptoms

How will I know I'm going through Menopause?
The first hint that Menopause might be commencing could be changes in the pattern of your periods.

You might
1. miss periods
2. have periods more often
3. bleed between periods
4. bleed much less than usual
These changes could be indications that your body is preparing itself for Menopause. These variations in periods may last for a year or more. Bleeding more than usual is not a sign of Menopause. Be sure to see your doctor if that happens.

Hot flashes
Hot flashes are sudden feelings of heat in the face and upper part of the body. These last a few minutes. Hot flashes can also occur while you are asleep. These may cause sweating and disturb your sleep.

Dry Vagina
During Menopause, the vagina could become dry. This may cause itching and pain during intercourse.

Bladder control
Many women begin to experience a loss in bladder control during Menopause. This could cause a leak in urine, especially when they sneeze or cough.

Bladder control
Many women begin to experience a loss in bladder control during Menopause. This could cause a leak in urine, especially when they sneeze or cough.

Mood swings
Menopause can cause emotional changes. With the hormonal levels changing in your body, you could experience unexplained mood swings. You might find yourself depressed, exhausted or cranky for no apparent reason. However, if you continue to feel this way most of the time, please consult your doctor or nurse.

Other possible symptoms
Some women develop additional symptoms at this stage. These may include weight gain, aching bones or forgetfulness. While some of these changes might be due to Menopause, others could be for a different reason or simply because you are getting older. Remember, please mention any such changes you notice to your doctor.

Will all this happen to me?
You may or may not experience all the symptoms. Some women notice many changes during Menopause, while others notice just a few. The experience of Menopause is unique for each woman.

Potential Side-effects

What are the long term effects of Menopause?
Menopause can sometimes affect different parts of your body and make you susceptible to other ailments.

Heart related ailments
Menopause makes you vulnerable to the risk of heart related ailments. This is further aggravated if you

• smoke
• have high blood pressure
• have high Cholesterol
• do not exercise
• have a family history of heart ailments

Osteoporosis
The presence of estrogen in our body also protects our bones. With a drop in estrogen levels after Menopause, women are more likely to develop Osteoporosis. This leads to a weakening of the bones, thereby increasing the risk of fractures, particularly in the back, hip and arm.

Care and Guidance

What can I do to feel better?
There are many lifestyle changes that can make you feel better when Menopause starts. You owe it to yourself to make these changes and focus on your health at this time. These will also help keep your heart healthy and your bones strong. (Take Special Care)

Will I need treatment?
While most women may not need any treatment for symptoms during Menopause, some may benefit from treatment. Since estrogen levels are decreasing in all women during Menopause. An Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may be recommended in some cases. This could
        1. relieve dry vagina and hot flashes
        2. prevent heart related ailments and Osteoporosis.

But these treatments can have some side-effects too. Therefore, they are prescribed after evaluating each case individually.

Do I need to see my doctor?
Yes, advice from a good doctor can be of great use as you go through Menopause. This is a good time to visit your doctor at BEAMS. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and seek advice on what you can do to reduce your chances of developing weak bones and heart related ailments. A caring and informative environment can make a significant difference in preventing Menopause related problems and to help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

During your visit, you could consult our professionals on all these measures that will help you stay healthy, such as

• a complete examination by a Gynaecologist
• breast examination and mammography
• PAP smear
• pathological investigations

Also, consult your doctor on

• the best ways to exercise
• the right food to eat
• how to stop smoking (if you do smoke)
• calcium pills and vitamins
• HRT and other treatments
• any other concerns or worries that you might have

Misconceptions About Menopause

The experiences related to Menopause have many a yarn spun around them. We would like to dismiss some of these for you.

It is all "down hill" after Menopause
This is certainly not true as many women report feeling far more confident and full of life following Menopause.

Your looks will go after Menopause
A few wrinkles that you might notice appearing during Menopause are related to the natural ageing process and have no connection with Menopause.

Menopause causes depression
Hormonal fluctuation can cause temporary mood swings, but any prolonged depression is not caused by Menopause.

Menopause means the end of intercourse and romance
On the contrary, with no more need to worry about pregnancy, many women feel far more romantic and sexually inclined.

Hysterectomy is the best way to deal with menopause
Absolutely not. Hysterectomy is a removal of the uterus and not necessarily that of the ovaries. Moreover, the removal of ovaries too does not prevent Menopause related problems.

You cannot get pregnant once your periods stop
Since Menopause is not complete till you have missed 12 menstrual periods in succession, you can still get pregnant even after missing periods for a few months. Please consult your doctor about the best kind of birth control at this stage.

There is no fear of AIDS after Menopause
You are still equally vulnerable to diseases such as AIDS after Menopause. Always use a condom if you are sexually active.

Menopause is not a twilight zone. It is merely a "pause" before you move on to a new beginning. It offers you the opportunity to take special care of yourself for a healthier life. Make the most of it.

Your best clue
Your mother is your best guide on when to expect Menopause. Her experience can provide your best clue. Familial and genetic factors do affect the onset of Menopause. If she began Menopause late, there's a good chance that you will also start it late and vice versa.

Take Special Care

1. Eat a nutritious diet
2. Include calcium in your diet or through supplements
3. Stay calm during hot flashes
4. Discuss these problems with family and friends
5. Exercise regularly
6. Include bladder control in your exercise routine 
7. Consult your doctor on countering vaginal dryness 
8. Learn new ways to relax
9. Stay active
10. Avoid smoking