home Audience 3 Symptoms of premenopause in women. Menopausal syndrome: symptoms, clinical recommendations, treatment and prevention

Symptoms of premenopause in women. Menopausal syndrome: symptoms, clinical recommendations, treatment and prevention

Some women observe the first signs of menopause already at the age of 40, and sometimes earlier. The causes of this phenomenon may be a hereditary predisposition or negative impact external factors. Early menopause causes a lot of anxiety among women, which is not groundless. The average age when such changes should be observed is 52-53 years. Although the first signs hormonal changes happen much earlier.

The climacteric period in a woman’s life is observed due to hormonal changes in her body. Certain mechanisms are triggered that lead to the extinction of the functioning of the ovaries. Estrogen production occurs at a fairly slow pace. This imbalance provokes the onset of menopause followed by menopause, which ends in the complete inability of the ovaries.

These processes are launched in every woman in different time which is individual in nature. Sometimes fading reproductive function happens much earlier. Menopause at 40 years of age can occur due to the following reasons:

medical intervention. Menopause at 43 or any other time occurs after surgery to remove the ovaries. This condition may also appear as a result of aggressive medication or radiation therapy during treatment malignant diseases. In this case, the decline in the performance of the ovaries is observed not at one moment, but gradually over several years;
a hereditary predisposition that is associated with a defect in the X chromosome. As a result, premature menopause occurs against the background of early ovarian depletion, when a woman has much fewer eggs, which is not the norm;

rapid acceleration. Puberty in girls it can occur at 10-12 years of age. As a result, they will also experience menopause much earlier;
the presence of thyroid pathologies, autoimmune diseases;
alcohol and smoking abuse;
gynecological diseases, the presence of multiple abortions;
obesity;
passion for strict diets or fasting;
chronic stress;
increased physical and emotional stress over a long period;
poor environmental situation.

Why is the early onset of menopause dangerous?

When symptoms of menopause appear in women at the age of 40 or even earlier, negative changes are observed in their body. First of all it happens premature aging. This is manifested by sagging, dry skin, loss of elasticity and firmness, and the appearance of age spots. Early menopause leads to rapid weight gain excess weight, which can be deposited both in the female type (on the hips, buttocks) and in the male type (on the stomach).

Premature decline of reproductive function also increases the risk of developing cancer, endocrine, cardiovascular diseases, pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

Stages of hormonal changes

The appearance of signs of menopause in women at the age of 40 occurs gradually and is accompanied by the following stages:

premenopause. This period lasts several years and is accompanied by a gradual decline in ovarian function. During perimenopause, there are many more cycles where ovulation does not occur. The time between periods also increases significantly and they become scanty. Some women observe, on the contrary, heavy bleeding, but they are not associated with menstruation. This phenomenon provoked by hormonal imbalance and directly indicates suppression of reproductive function. During premenopause, a woman experiences significant thickening of the uterine walls, the surface of the vagina becomes folded, and fibroid formations are often detected. Many people notice breast enlargement. It becomes more severe, compactions may be detected;

menopause, which lasts for a year after the complete cessation of menstruation. At this time, the hormonal background is still unstable, so some unpleasant symptoms may persist;
postmenopause. Occurs when the ovaries completely stop functioning and estrogen levels drop critically. At this time, reverse development of the body occurs. A woman observes a decrease in pubic hair, a decrease in the tone of the vaginal walls, and the uterus significantly decreases in size. The breasts also undergo some transformations. Glandular tissue almost completely replaced by fatty and fibrous tissue. In the absence of concomitant pathologies, a postmenopausal woman feels well. This period continues until the end of life.

Signs of menopause

Menopause at 42 years of age or even earlier is often difficult and accompanied by many symptoms. The degree of manifestation of unpleasant signs largely depends on the psycho-emotional state of the woman. If she's ready for this age-related changes and responds adequately to them, her condition is characterized as satisfactory. The presence of concomitant diseases, which usually worsen during the period of hormonal changes, also plays an important role. Timely treatment of all pathologies will help a woman avoid many problems that are associated with the early onset of menopause.

Stomach ache

During menopause at 44 years old, many women notice the appearance of abdominal pain. This condition can be caused by the development certain diseases V abdominal cavity, which is a pathology. Also, pain during menopause can be physiological in nature. This condition is observed in the presence of spastic phenomena in the abdominal cavity as a result of hormonal imbalance. Pain may also appear after sexual intercourse because there is insufficient release of natural vaginal lubrication.

If the discomfort is of high intensity and occurs frequently, you should consult a doctor. This may indicate the following:

presence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
development of pathologies of the genitourinary system;
consequence of poisoning;
radiating pain during myocardial infarction and others.

With the onset of menopause, women at 43 years of age often experience the development of persistent, dull ache. This condition is caused constant voltage, inability to relax. The woman feels stiffness, inner restlessness and others negative emotions. This leads to tension in the facial muscles, necks, and shoulders, which provokes intense headaches.

Also a typical manifestation of menopause at any age is migraine. They begin with visual impairment, a “veil” appears before the eyes, and noise in the ears. After this it develops sharp pain in the temples and frontal region. This condition can lead to short-term loss of consciousness. When a migraine occurs, a woman completely loses her ability to work and cannot do her usual activities.

Headaches can also indicate high blood pressure. In this case, the unpleasant sensations are localized in the occipital region. Pain also appears in diseases of the cervical spine, in vegetative-vascular dystonia syndrome and other pathological conditions of the body.

Tides

Early menopause is almost always accompanied by hot flashes. They are characterized as a sudden onset of a feeling of heat, which is localized in the upper body (head, neck, chest). During an attack, beads of sweat appear on the woman’s forehead and redness is observed. skin. Hot flashes do not last long - 30-60 seconds. After this, the condition stabilizes, and the woman feels well again. The frequency of attacks is purely individual - from 1 every few days to 20-40 per day. Also, hot flashes sometimes bother you at night. They become the reason increased sweating, insomnia, fatigue, depression. This condition is significantly aggravated if there are problems with thyroid gland.

Hot flashes occur due to a sharp decrease in estrogen levels in the blood. The female body is not always ready for such changes. In response, the pituitary gland begins to produce a large number of luteinizing hormone, which leads to a sharp increase in body temperature.

Change of mood

Due to hormonal changes, there is severe stress on the body, which primarily affects the psycho-emotional state. Obvious signs of menopause in women aged 40 are frequent mood swings, loss of strength, irritability, and tearfulness. At this time, there is a sharp deterioration in memory, absent-mindedness, and decreased concentration. The woman is susceptible depressive states, cries often.

Often early menopause accompanied by insomnia, increased anxiety. As a result, a woman constantly feels tension and cannot relax and rest.

Other signs of early menopause

When menopause occurs at age 40, other changes in female body:

vaginal dryness. As a result, many women experience itching and significant discomfort;
problems with urination. Observed frequent urge, discomfort, incontinence due to decreased tone of the bladder and its sphincter;
tingling, numbness of the limbs, sensation of “crawling goosebumps” on the skin;
appearance of muscle and joint pain. This often signals osteoporosis or osteoarthritis;
the appearance of a lump in the throat. Early menopause often manifests itself this way. Sometimes a lump in the throat indicates problems with the thyroid gland, which must be checked if this symptom appears.

Treatment of premature menopause

You can delay the onset of menopause after 40 years with the help of hormone replacement therapy, which should be used as early as possible. With help special drugs Significant changes in hormones are smoothed out a little, and the woman feels much better. Also, this method of treatment is used with caution if pathologies from the cardiovascular, genitourinary, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems are present.

Hormonal drugs can provoke an exacerbation of many diseases that develop during menopause in a woman. Before treatment, a comprehensive examination of the body is required, aimed at identifying all pathologies.

Also, to improve their well-being, women can be prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes, herbal preparations containing phytoestrogens. In case of unstable psycho-emotional state, they resort to the use of antidepressants and psychotropic stimulants for a short period of time. Positive effect observed when using physical therapy, which is aimed at strengthening the entire body and intimate muscles.

Around the age of forty, most modern women begin to feel that they are no longer young and cheerful, and begin to pay close attention to the impact that age has on them. At this time, subtle changes begin in their body, which are called premenopause.

An unexpected period that baffles many women, premenopause begins when your ovaries' production of estrogen and progesterone—two major female hormones—begins to decline significantly. It ends during premenopause last for you menstrual period. A natural physiological process, premenopause marks a new phase of physiological life, thus providing ample time to prepare for menopause and its possible effects on your emotions, skeletal system, heart, bladder and even your sex life.

Most women begin to notice signs of premenopause a year or two before they stop menstruating, although some have pre-menopausal symptoms. menopause can last for several years, perhaps even up to eight to ten. Average age For women, the age for the onset of menopause is 52 years, while its onset in the age range from 45 to 55 years is considered normal. But don't count on it. Approximately eight out of a hundred women experience menopause after reaching the age of forty, while others experience a very early and unexpected “medical” menopause caused by external interventions such as surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. But on the other hand, five out of every hundred women continue menstruating until almost 60 years of age.

Every woman will greatly benefit from knowing what is happening in her body and how best to prepare for these changes.

What can you do now?

You can prepare for the future by eating right, exercising physical exercise, regularly undergoing medical examinations and getting rid of bad habits, such as smoking.

If you haven't had regular, comprehensive physicals and gynecological exams in a while, it's important to do so now. Sign up for a comprehensive examination, which will include a breast x-ray, breast examination, smear and flora analysis, cardiogram, stool analysis, bone density determination if you suspect osteoporosis (porosity of bones), measurement of estrogen or hormone stimulating hormone folliculin, blood test for cholesterol content and other blood and urine tests to determine baseline, with which you can compare the results of subsequent changes. In most cases, for such an examination you should contact a gynecologist, or, according to at least, to a doctor experienced in the treatment of women's diseases.

What is premenopause

Estrogen is the main female hormone responsible for changes in the body during puberty, turning a girl's body into a body adult woman. Estrogen works with progesterone, the second most important female hormone, to prepare the body for fertilization and pregnancy. After puberty, the ovaries develop tiny, fluid-filled sacs called follicles every month and push an egg into the fallopian tube, where it travels to the uterus; this process is called ovulation.

At the same time internal walls The uterus, under the influence of estrogen and progesterone, grows additional tissue, thickening significantly in order to be able to hold the fertilized egg and developing embryo. If the egg is not fertilized and conception does not occur, progesterone stimulates the shedding of the inner lining of these thickened inner uterine tissues - the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) - during the next menstrual period.

These cyclical phenomena begin to undergo changes as the body approaches premenopause. It's like ripening in reverse. The ovaries still have a certain supply of follicles that mature into eggs. Over two or three years of the premenopausal period, their supply will be depleted and ovulation will stop. With only a few viable follicles remaining, your body will produce eggs sporadically, and as a result of your body's decreased progesterone production, your periods will become erratic and irregular. In some months you will have abundant menstrual flow, in others - there will be practically none. Sometimes they don’t happen for a month or two, or they start too late or too early. Sometimes they are absent for several months, and then resume for several months. Without a regular supply of progesterone, the lining of the uterus sheds in a disorderly and chaotic manner.

"I just don't know what to expect. One month I have a very heavy period, and the next month I have almost nothing. Some months I don't have a period at all, or it starts too late, and sometimes it lasts almost two weeks. Is this normal? "

Of course. Almost all possible variations are quite normal phenomenon. While some women simply stop menstruating one day and never come again, most never know how it will happen in the future. This phase of instability may last only a few months, or it may drag on for several years. But its average duration is a year or two.

"I worry about whether I'm okay if I have unexpected bleeding even though I'm well past menopause. What should I do?"

Consult your gynecologist. Spontaneous or any other types of bleeding should always be treated with caution. Although they may often be caused by premenopause, there is a possibility that this is not the case. Your gynecologist may suggest an endometrial biopsy, uterine curettage, or ultrasound to rule out any chance of cancer, and then continue to monitor you periodically after your period ends. During this time, be sure to inform him of any new changes. The instability of your menstrual cycle is due to the fact that ovulation does not occur at all or occurs only occasionally and, therefore, your body no longer produces enough progesterone to stimulate the regular monthly shedding of the endometrium. However, your body still continues to produce estrogen, which thickens the walls of the uterus, which always happens in anticipation of a possible pregnancy.

“Is it possible to somehow influence the irregularity of the menstrual cycle or is it better to just put up with it?”

Because unexpected start menstruation can be very nerve-wracking, you can get yours back menstrual cycle to a predictable schedule that is convenient for you, supplying your body with the missing progesterone according to a cyclic pattern. You can do this by taking 5 to 10 mg progesterone tablets daily for ten or twelve days every four (or eight) weeks to keep your menstrual cycle under control and maintain regularity until menopause. Your period will begin a few days after you take the last progesterone pill of your cycle.

In addition, cyclic use of progesterone ensures that the lining of the uterus will be completely separated every month. Very often, due to a decrease in progesterone production during premenopause, the uterine mucosa does not exfoliate as thoroughly as it should. The second advantage is that this way you can avoid frequent biopsies. Since irregular discharge should always be monitored to make sure there is nothing more serious going on in the body beyond premenopausal symptoms, your doctor will no doubt suggest that you undergo periodic biopsies of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to examine these tissues for the presence of abnormal cells. However, when hormone therapy confirms that your irregular cycle is caused by a lack of progesterone, you will not need to have a biopsy as often because your periods will now follow a regular pattern.

An alternative way to regulate your periods is to take low-dose oral contraceptives. These pills will not only restore your periods, returning them to regular monthly cycle, but at the same time they will alleviate such a symptom of premenopause as hot flashes, and also prevent the possibility of pregnancy. The newer oral contraceptives contain significantly lower doses of hormones than their predecessors and, unlike older varieties, do not cause heart attacks or palpitations in healthy women. Most recently, they were approved by the US Department of Health for use by women in the age group of about 50 years.

"I know that my menstrual schedule can fluctuate if I go into climacteric age, but how can I find out if I'm pregnant? For several months I have periods like clockwork, and then they disappear for a month or two, or occur at intervals of six to seven weeks. Now I'm 43, I have two grown children, and I absolutely don't want to have another child."

There is always a slight chance that missing your period means you are pregnant. This happens to many 43-year-old women, but it brings joy to very few of them. If you have any reason to suspect that this may be true, ask your doctor to test you for pregnancy. Even though the possibility of getting pregnant after forty is reduced to almost a minimum, you simply cannot know for sure that your body will not produce the last egg, and it only takes one energetic sperm for your life to change in the most dramatic way. To eliminate any chance of getting pregnant, continue taking birth control pills for at least six months after menopause.

“What contraceptives are best for a premenopausal woman to use?”

You can choose any of several methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy, but a cycle of low-dose birth control pills containing a small proportion of estrogen and progesterone may become the best solution your problem if you don't smoke. This method, as we have already explained, will not only prevent pregnancy, but will also regulate your menstrual cycle, and at the same time eliminate many of the unpleasant symptoms of the onset of menopause. You will no longer have to wonder if a menstrual cycle failure means you are pregnant, because you will no longer have any disruptions.

Strengthen your bones for the future

Now is your last opportunity to strengthen your bones before the onset of menopause, during which you will begin to lose a significant percentage of your bone mass. Here's how to do it:

Get enough calcium (at least 1000 mg per day before menopause and 1500 mg after it starts) in food, vitamins and supplements.

Do enough exercise to support your own weight, which means at least half an hour of moderate physical activity three times a week.

If you do not want to agree to the course hormone therapy After menopause, get tested to measure bone density so that you know the baseline level with which you can compare the results of future measurements. Bone loss begins in the spine, sometimes even before menopause, so don't settle for just testing cortical bones wrists or thighs. A year after the onset of menopause, take another test. This will allow you to calculate the percentage of bone loss per year. Some women lose only 1 to 2% per year and may have little to worry about developing osteoporosis, while others lose 8 to 10% of their bone mass annually after menopause. If you belong to last group, you shouldn't let it continue like this. Refer to Chapter 4 for more detailed information regarding the preservation of bone mass.

"I'm obviously premenopausal because my period is very strange, but I haven't felt any other symptoms yet. When do they usually start?"

Many women during premenopause do not experience typical menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and palpitations, but they usually make themselves felt after the estrogen content in the body drops so much that menstruation stops altogether. However, in 15 - 20% of women these symptoms appear earlier.

"I still get my period regularly, but I have a lot of hot flushes. What should I do?"

Try to start taking vitamin E daily, which will help get rid of this phenomenon. Start by taking the pills at a dosage of 400 units twice a day and if there is no improvement after a week, double the dose to 1600 units per day. You likely won't be able to get that much of this vitamin from your daily diet, so you'll need to take it in the form of a vitamin or supplement.

You may also want to start taking vitamins B and C, as although their benefits have not been scientifically proven, some women report feeling positive result their reception.

The next step we typically recommend for healthy non-smoking women is to switch to the newly developed low-dose birth control pill. This may be exactly what you need. Today, the attitude towards the issue of the dangers or safety of taking estrogen before menopause has changed and, in addition, these pills are not at all similar to the previous ones. In the past, the prevailing belief was that it was dangerous to take additional estrogen in any form before menopause because it could dramatically increase blood pressure, promote excessive formation of the uterine mucosa and create conditions for the development of cancer.

But latest research showed that it is completely safe for premenopausal women to take low-dose estrogen birth control pills on a regimen, and the US Department of Health has recommended these drugs for use in women over fifty years of age. These pills can significantly ease this difficult period by eliminating the early symptoms of menopause. At the same time, they will maintain the regularity of your menstrual cycle and also solve the problem of unwanted pregnancy. However, these pills can also have side effects, such as causing pain in the chest area, promoting weight gain, water retention in the body, and the development of depression. If you come to the conclusion that they are causing you little or no trouble, consider that you have found the easiest way to avoid a lot of problems.

The newly introduced birth control pill Depo-Provera is a second way to relieve hot flashes and other bothersome menopausal symptoms for women who cannot take estrogen or whose religious beliefs prevent them from taking the pill. Although sometimes this can even disrupt the menstrual cycle more and cause side effects reminiscent of premenstrual syndrome.

All non-estrogen progesterone products should be given by injection every three months. Side effects from this may also occur for at least three months.

"I remember that in the past some women could not take these pills because they caused blood clots. What has changed now?"

Now the estrogen content of these pills has become so low (although higher than in hormone replacement therapy dosages) that they are considered safe unless you have a history of thrombophlebitis and are not a heavy smoker. The latest evidence shows that these pills reduce the likelihood of both uterine and ovarian cancer. In addition, among those taking these pills, the percentage of people suffering from ovarian cysts, fibrous breast tumors and dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods) is significantly lower.

"Why don't I take hormone replacement therapy instead of taking these pills?"

You can do this, but birth control pills will serve you better. During premenopause, hormone replacement therapy is usually prescribed to women who suffer from very severe menopausal symptoms, have tried all other means of dealing with them and cannot tolerate birth control pills. This happens because during such a transition period, your body can periodically produce quite a lot of its own estrogen and you do not need additional one. In addition, one compact pill contains both estrogen and progesterone, which prevent pregnancy.

“If I take low-dose birth control pills and my period returns, how will I know if I have entered menopause?”

You won't know until you stop taking the pill and measure your follicle-stimulating hormone levels. A simple blood test can determine the amount of this hormone, a substance that increases as estrogen levels decrease. But it doesn't really matter, since the pill's hormones will protect you from osteoporosis and possibly heart disease, just as hormone replacement therapy would. At age fifty, you can either wait to see if you have hot flashes or have your follicle-stimulating hormone levels measured and then undergo hormone replacement therapy if that's what you want.

Life threatening! Stop smoking!

If you smoke, do not use low-dose birth control pills or any other pills. These pills increase smokers' already significant risk of arrhythmias and heart attacks.

“A friend of mine told me that she did not have problems with hot flashes because she drank the appropriate Chinese herbal tea. What is your opinion on this matter?”

Some women find that medicinal herbs such as ginseng, fusanus acuminata, spirulina, mugwort, wild yam, licorice, American bay and flax seed can relieve hot flashes. And in fact, it is true that these herbs sometimes help relieve the manifestations of not too much severe symptoms menopause. Some of these herbs are, in fact, potent sources of plant estrogen, and therefore actually serve as a type of estrogen-restorative therapy. Inadequate in their own way chemical formula hormones human body, but similar in structure, these plant estrogens, known as phytoestrogens, especially ginseng and fusanus acuminata, can cause an obvious biological reaction.

However, although these herbs are natural natural means, which in the eyes of many women makes them much more preferable than those received chemically prescribed medications, there is no way to monitor the level of estrogen they contain. Therefore, if they are not taken along with progesterone to protect the lining of the uterus, there is a possibility that they will cause hyperplasia, that is, excessive growth of this tissue, which can eventually lead to cancer. We advise using them no less carefully than medications prescribed by a doctor.

An alternative to consuming phytoestrogens, such as medicines, is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, many of which, especially soybeans and legumes, contain natural estrogen.

"For the past few months, I've been experiencing premenstrual syndrome for the first time in my life. What happened?"

Premenstrual syndrome remains a mystery that has not been fully explored or understood by anyone. Sometimes women who have suffered from premenstrual syndrome all their lives find that it disappears completely during premenopause. But for the rest this year transition period it manifests itself much more strongly. And for that part of women who have never experienced it before, premenstrual syndrome first appears at this time.

We can't say for sure what exactly causes premenstrual syndrome, but it is likely related to ovarian hormones and possibly the estrogen to progesterone ratio. Research has shown that when estrogen levels drop below a certain level, anxiety and depression are common. Or it could be that your ovaries are now producing less estrogen than before, while you continue to ovulate and produce normal amounts of progesterone. Progesterone (and it is known for certain that it makes many women nervous, irritable and restless) can begin to dominate the missing estrogen and lead to pronounced premenstrual syndrome.

Try to drink more fluids, reduce the amount of salt, take vitamin B (no more than 500 mg per day) and natural diuretics. If you experience cyclical weight gain, bloating, or hard breasts, try taking Aldactone, a mild diuretic. In addition, increase your calcium intake. Researchers have discovered that women who take at least 1,300 mg of calcium per day experience significantly less mood swings and pain.

Another one, perhaps effective technique Treatment consists of mastering relaxation techniques, using tranquilizers and following a diet low in fat and sugar and high in fibrous and complex carbohydrates.

Another solution may be to take estrogen supplements for two weeks before your period begins. Most women feel better if the level of estrogen in their body does not fall below a certain limit and is usually about 50 kilograms per milliliter. Your gynecologist may also recommend other medications.

Finally, hormonal birth control pills may be the answer to your question. By replacing the monthly production of ovarian hormone with a certain daily dose of estrogen and synthetic progesterone, they will provide you with the opportunity to find an easy, inexpensive way to get rid of premenstrual syndrome.

"My menstrual cycle is still regular as I'm only 40 and I doubt I'm going through menopause. However, I have found that I have vaginal dryness and sex is becoming uncomfortable. I now use lubricating cream. Can you suggest me something else?"

Vaginal dryness usually doesn't become a problem for several years after a woman's body stops producing estrogen, but it's different for everyone. Firstly you should try using effective gels for vaginal lubrication, such as replen or gin-moistrin, which moisturize the cells of the vaginal tissue, reducing its dryness and painful sensitivity. Use the gel regularly, at least three times a week, it usually works quickly and effectively.

If moisturizing gels do not restore enough vaginal tissue to make sex less painful, the next step is to use a low-estrogen vaginal cream several times a week. Although this is actually a way to restore estrogen and can only be used as prescribed by a doctor, very little of the hormone enters the bloodstream while the tissues of the vaginal walls are restored to their functionality.

During sexual intercourse, also use the latest, proven lubricants, such as KJ jelly. Never use lubricants (especially petroleum jelly) that are not intended for this purpose, because this can make things worse: cause irritation or hardening of tissues, stopping the secretions from the glands of your body. And never use vaginal gel as a lubricant. First, it doesn't work very well as a lubricant, which is supposed to make intercourse easier; and secondly, and more importantly, if used instead of a lubricant immediately before sexual intercourse, a vaginal moisturizer can cause severe irritation to your partner's delicate tissues.

"Is there any way to tell if menopause is about to begin?"

Yes, this can be done by determining the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood on the second or third day after the start of menstruation. The higher your level, the closer you are to menopause. Exists hormonal connection between the pituitary gland, which produces follicle-stimulating hormone, and the ovaries, which produce estrogen. As soon as the ovaries reduce estrogen production, the pituitary gland senses this and releases more and more follicle-stimulating hormone into the blood in an attempt to get the ovaries functioning again. The less estrogen, the more follicle-stimulating hormone.

So if you're really approaching premenopause and menopause is just around the corner, not only will your estrogen levels be lower, but your follicle-stimulating hormone levels will also be higher. U healthy woman During premenopause, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood is usually about 10 micrograms per milliliter (µg/ml). If it rises to 20 or 25 mcg/ml, you have definitely entered pre-menopause. At 40 mcg/ml, you will no longer have to rack your brains: your periods will stop and it will become obvious that you have reached menopause.

Follicle stimulating hormone levels usually increase gradually and rarely decrease, so it is recommended to monitor them from time to time if you want to know about everything in advance. If, for example, today your level is 16 mcg/ml, and next year it will be 30 mcg/ml, most likely you will not have long to wait for menopause.

Determining the level of follicle-stimulating hormone is also necessary to determine the chances of pregnancy in women over forty who want to have a child. A follicle-stimulating hormone level of 20 mcg/ml or higher means pregnancy is unlikely. At levels above 25 μg/ml, its possibility becomes close to zero. Because follicle-stimulating hormone levels change throughout the menstrual cycle, you will want to measure them during the first three days of your period, when estrogen levels are at their lowest.

"I have very large fibroids that cause heavy bleeding, but they told me that they shouldn’t be touched now, because they will dissolve during menopause. Do you agree with this?"

It all depends on their size, the speed with which they develop, how much bleeding they cause, what pressure they exert and how close you are to menopause. Fibroids are tumors on the muscles of the uterus, in 99 cases they turn out to be benign, most common in women after forty, although sometimes they develop even earlier. If you are far from menopause and your body is still producing enough estrogen, they will continue to grow. This is another reason to measure your follicle-stimulating hormone levels.

If your levels are low and indicate that you are not going through menopause anytime soon, the fibroids will cause you a lot of problems and you may have to agree to have them removed surgically the fibroid itself or removal of the entire uterus. If your follicle-stimulating hormone levels are high, meaning menopause is around the corner and you're not losing a ton of blood, you might want to wait and see if these things stop as your estrogen levels drop.

By the way, you may want to consider using oral contraceptives on a low-dose regimen. Unlike the pills of the past, which contained a higher proportion of the hormone, modern pills often cause fibroids to dissolve, reducing the severity of bleeding.

And finally, menopause

If you have not had periods, either regular or irregular, for six full months, you can confidently say that you have reached menopause. Your doctor will confirm this by measuring your follicle-stimulating hormone levels. If it is above 40 mcg/ml (it can go up to 1000), you will have all your doubts resolved.

Menopause is an important stage in a woman’s life, and it should be considered as the next stage in the development of a biological organism, associated with the decline of reproductive function. Men, just like women, experience this stage, but their changes occur more mildly and later. How menopause begins in women is a question that excites the mind when approaching a critical point on the scale of life.

Climax is natural process. It occurs in the life of every woman and is associated with global changes in the body. There is a lot of speculation surrounding menopause, which is not always positive. How difficult is the process, at what age to expect changes and what to do if feeling unwell, we will analyze in this article.

At what age does menopause occur? actual question. Usually, dramatic changes occur at 45-50 years of age, but in some cases menopause occurs much earlier, at 36-40 years of age (early menopause). At this time, there is a deep restructuring of the body, starting with the parts of the brain: the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. The pituitary gland weighs only 0.5 g, but its role in the functioning of the human body is irreplaceable. Working in close connection with the hypothalamus (the hypothalamus regulates the functioning of the pituitary gland), it is responsible for the human reproductive system. Gonadotropic hormones of the pituitary gland stimulate ovulation and the release of the female hormone estrogen into the blood.

Estrogen is also produced by the ovaries. The female hormone is responsible for optimal metabolism, emotional mood, proper functioning of the uterus, strengthening bone tissue and, reducing muscle mass, gives the figure femininity.

With the end of the childbearing period, the functioning of the brain and ovaries transforms. The secretion of estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormones) is noticeably reduced, while testosterone (male sex hormone) remains at the same level.

For the female body to fully function, it requires not only female, but also male hormones, the latter - in small quantities. On initial stage Menopause androgen and testosterone levels may even increase. At this point, the risk of sudden weight gain of up to 10 kg often increases, and the extra pounds gained during this period are subsequently difficult to get rid of.

Menopause can be divided into 3 main stages:

premenopause;
menopause;
postmenopause.

Premenopause or menopausal syndrome is accompanied by disruption of the menstrual cycle and a number of changes characteristic of vegetative-vascular dystonia. It can last from 2 to 10 years, until menstruation stops completely.

Symptoms characteristic of premenopause:

decreased ability to conceive;
disruption of the menstrual cycle. In some cases, the regulations become rare and scarce, in others they become excessively abundant;
with the normal course of premenopause, the break between menstruation lengthens gradually: from 40 to 90 days, until complete cessation;
the duration of menstruation decreases;
Heavy periods during menopause are associated with ovulation disorders. They usually begin after a delay in menstruation. In some cases, qualified medical assistance is required;
V in rare cases engorgement of the mammary glands occurs due to fluctuations in the amount of estrogen in the blood;
Sometimes there is a sudden cessation of menstruation.

Menopause is the next stage of body restructuring. Comes one year after graduation last menstrual period. If during premenopause there is a high risk of unwanted or unexpected pregnancy, then from the moment of menopause it is impossible to become pregnant naturally.

Postmenopause lasts until the end of life. It is characterized by complete cessation of ovarian function and a consistently low level of estrogen in the blood. Dramatic changes occur in a woman’s body: the skin gradually loses elasticity, hair thins, the vaginal mucosa becomes drier and more vulnerable, mammary gland tissue degenerates, and the shape of the breast changes.

What to expect from menopause?

Symptoms of menopause in women manifest themselves differently. Some continue to lead their usual lifestyle. Others are watching the changes with interest. In some cases, menopausal symptoms manifest themselves so actively that the help of a doctor is required.

Everything about menopause in women, the subtlest nuances of the problem accessible language reveals Elena Malysheva in one of the episodes of the “Live Healthy” program.

Attitudes towards menopause vary among different peoples and individuals. Some perceive the cessation of the menstrual cycle as a tragedy, others treat the problem philosophically, some peoples of the East even organize a holiday on this occasion. The overwhelming majority of European women experience a whole bunch of negative feelings when entering a new life cycle.

During menopause especially severe cases there is a risk of heart attacks and strokes. High risk of developing osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus. There are frequent cases of development cancer diseases. To maintain health and quality of life for many years, you need to know specific symptoms and treatment for menopause.

The restructuring is happening smoothly. Almost no one pays attention to the first signs. Menstruation ended a little earlier than usual or the discharge turned out to be profuse and of an unusual color. Periodically, difficulties arise with falling asleep, loved ones begin to irritate, and employees become dissatisfied. Don’t think that the world has turned against you - it’s all about hormones, nothing more. There is happiness, but the body chemistry changes and the perception of the environment changes.

Characteristic symptoms of menopause in women over 45 years of age:

Sleep disturbance. A woman during menopause has difficulty falling asleep. This is facilitated by an increased feeling of anxiety - by-effect reducing the body's production of female hormones.
Cardiopalmus. It occurs unexpectedly, in short attacks and is very disturbing, especially during the period of falling asleep.
A feeling of numbness in the limbs or a tight feeling in the chest is a sure sign of poor circulation.
Feeling of tingling and trembling in the limbs.
Violation of thermoregulation, which leads to attacks of chills, usually at night.
Decreased ability to work, attacks of weakness, high fatigue, muscle pain.
Pressure surges are accompanied by dizziness, sometimes headache, and in rare cases, loss of consciousness.
Sexual desire in most cases decreases, but on the contrary, it can increase.
Emotional swings abrupt change moods. Unreasonable anxiety, tearfulness or irritability.
Decreased concentration. Distracted attention and weakening of memory.
Sometimes they meet neurotic disorders with a tendency towards hypochondria.
Temperature fluctuations throughout the day.
Difficulty breathing - feeling of lack of air.
Deformation of taste sensations.
Dry mucous membranes. Feeling of “sand in the eyes”, dry mouth.
Painful sensations in the lower back, pulling heaviness in the lower abdomen.
Skin aging is characterized by decreased elasticity and increased dryness. The reason is a reduction in the production of female sex hormones. Wrinkles appear and deepen over time.
Hair becomes brittle, turns gray and falls out.
The figure becomes less graceful and feminine.

Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause in women. Suddenly there is heat throughout the body, sometimes accompanied by redness of the skin. The pulse quickens, perspiration appears. Attacks occur unexpectedly and without cause at any time of the day, with unpredictable frequency. May disturb you during sleep. Sometimes they get tiring and cause serious trouble. Tides may occur in mild form and quickly end or manifest itself brightly, expressively and torment a woman for years

The simplest and most widely known method relief of menopausal symptoms - a mixture of tinctures of valerian, motherwort and hawthorn in equal proportions. Use the “cocktail” up to 4 times a day at the rate of 1 teaspoon per half glass of water. Taking the mixture is allowed for up to 4 months in a row, after which you should take a break. With regular use of the drug, the quality of sleep improves, the frequency and intensity of hot flashes decreases, and the nervous system is strengthened.

Ignoring the problem of hot flashes can lead to myositis and a number of other chronic diseases. During difficult periods, special attention should be paid to clothing. Since the body's thermoregulation is impaired, the correct manner of dressing will reduce the discomfort of hot flashes. Multi-layered clothing (for example: turtleneck, jacket, shawl) will help stop the feeling of chills or hot flashes. By taking off and putting on again the components of her wardrobe, a woman can create the most comfortable feeling for herself.

Representatives of Asian countries may not encounter these kinds of problems. Doctors believe that the phenomenon is related to food culture. For example, in Japan there is rarely meat on the table. Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun eat soy, fish and seafood. During menopause, they do not experience negative feelings and do not gain weight.

Is late menopause a lucky ticket?

The first signs of menopause in a woman may occur in at different ages. On average, a woman enters menopause at 47.5 years of age. In rare cases, menopause begins at 36 years of age and this is not considered a pathology. But late menopause can lead to a number of negative consequences.

If menopause occurs around 50 years of age, it, on the one hand, brings with it a whole series of positive changes. For example, if a woman had fibroids, then with the onset of menopause it may decrease or disappear altogether. Fibrocystic mastopathy disappears due to the degeneration of breast tissue. The risk of breast cancer is significantly reduced.

On the other hand, late menopause automatically puts a woman at risk. If a lady is already 55 years old and her menstruation remains regular, this is not a reason for joy. Constant medical supervision is required. There is a high risk of cancer.

The benefits of menopause

Menopause in women is a natural process that marks the end of the childbearing period. Based on the fact that a woman’s life expectancy, as a rule, reaches 80 years, and menopause occurs around 50, a woman has 30-40 years of life ahead of her. It is not for nothing that in some Asian countries a holiday is held on this occasion - now a woman does not have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy and lives for her own pleasure.

Menopause often occurs during a period of career growth. Having experience coincides with the ability to devote more time to work. Children have grown up and do not require close attention and care. It is wise to generate the released energy to satisfy your own ambitions. Emotional concentration on personal growth effectively relieves physiological problems associated with the restructuring of the body.

How to behave during menopause

With the onset of menopause, it is recommended to healthy image life. Moderate physical activity and it is advisable to follow a healthy diet at all stages of life, but during menopause this is especially important. Fitness will help you survive the unpleasant moments of restructuring your body. The modern system of development of fitness centers allows you to attend sports classes in a comprehensive manner, including a cardio exercise area (exercise bikes, treadmills and other exercise equipment).

Visiting the pool also has a beneficial effect on a woman’s body. During swimming, the load on the spine and joints is reduced, blood circulation is improved, and the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia are reduced. The elasticity of blood vessels increases and the quality of sleep improves.

Stretching helps stretch and relax muscles, increases joint mobility, and improves blood circulation. Relieves pain in the lumbar region, neck, shoulder girdle, chest. Reduces the intensity and frequency of seizures.

Joint gymnastics improves the quality of life, prolongs youth, and ensures high physical performance.

Pilates forms a muscle corset, providing protection for bone tissue.

Yoga gives emotional harmony with the outside world, increases body flexibility and muscle elasticity.

In addition to regular work physical activity should be done hiking and follow a diet.

The presence of chronic diseases requires consultation on nutrition with a specialist.

How to relieve menopause symptoms

Menopause occurs differently for everyone. The range of symptoms ranges from mild ailments to serious chronic diseases and critical hormonal imbalances. According to statistics, menopause occurs easily in only 10% of women. More than 30% feel unwell moderate severity. A good half of the fair sex tolerate changes in the body quite difficult.

There is often a need for medical intervention. Even those women whose symptoms are not pronounced need help. Medicines for menopause in women are presented on the domestic market in a wide range: from mild sedatives and vitamin-mineral complexes to hormonal drugs. They should be used as recommended and under the supervision of a physician.

A bunch of disorders, manifested in a vivid form, require effective medications. Osteoporosis and hypertension are prevented labor activity And normal image life. Metabolic syndrome not only contributes to the emergency deposition of fat reserves in the waist area, but also has more serious consequences: the risk of developing diabetes and cancer increases. TO sensitive issues, preventing harmonious family life, include vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence.

Treating each symptom separately is ineffective and illogical - as a rule, to treat the manifestations of menopause, complex preparations, acting on several symptoms at once. No matter how difficult the menopause is, the pharmacological arsenal has enough effective means to make you feel better.

Wise nature carefully takes care of a woman approaching the threshold between the period of childbearing and the beginning of the decline of reproductive function. For a smooth and gentle transition to menopause, there is a premenopausal period that prepares the body for the radical changes ahead.

For each woman it comes at its own time, determined by lifestyle and individual characteristics of the body. Representatives of the fair sex are sensitive to the barely noticeable signals of premenopause - they begin to take intense care of preserving the elusive youth, and even decide to give birth to a late child.

How to take care of your health during this difficult period, what happens in a woman’s body, and is it possible to delay the onset of menopause with medications?

What is perimenopause?

Hormones produced by the ovaries are a kind of catalyst for many interrelated physiological processes occurring in the woman’s reproductive system and in other organs.

Over time, less and less estrogen and progesterone are produced, metabolism is rebuilt to a completely different level of functioning, and the body enters the menopause phase. Regardless of whether a woman has children, the genetic program ends the period of childbearing, and the hormones responsible for full conception and the course of pregnancy are no longer so necessary.

The initial stage of menopause is considered premenopause.– the period during which ovarian depletion occurs. The beginning of this period occurs at 40-45 years, and the decline of reproductive function can last from several months to ten years.

On average, this process takes 2-3 years. The date of the last menstruation means that the premenopausal period has ended and menopause has begun - the next stage of menopause.

There are conditions and diseases when the early onset of menopause is due to heredity, the toxic effects of nicotine, and the influence of radiation exposure in the treatment of oncological pathologies.

The onset of premenopause and the date of the first menstruation (menarche) are interconnected - why ovaries before begin intense activity, the sooner their exhaustion occurs. Researchers have not established a connection between the number of pregnancies and births and the onset of menopause; stress and physical exhaustion bring its early onset closer.

What changes occur in the female body during perimenopause?

The ovaries are the main hormonal gland of a woman at reproductive age. They perform several functions at once:

Generative.

They produce eggs to reproduce offspring.

Vegetative.

They influence the formation of primary and secondary female sexual characteristics.

Hormonal.

Synthesize hormones for reproductive function and to regulate activity various organs and systems.

The hypothalamus, located in the brain, controls the activity of the ovaries, including the secretion of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones ensure a two-phase menstrual cycle, egg fertilization and pregnancy.

As the hypothalamic structures age, they begin to lose their regulatory role, so the ovaries produce less estrogen. The follicles can no longer reach the required maturity, and ovulation does not occur. This is how the premenopausal period begins, characterized by a change from ovulatory cycles to anovulatory ones.

To compensate for the lack of estrogen, the pituitary gland intensively produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but the hormonal balance still remains unstable.

It is not only the reproductive organs that are the target of these changes. The female body has structures that are dependent on estrogen and hormonal imbalance. The people most affected by premenopausal syndrome are:

Mammary gland;
Brain, pituitary gland and hypothalamus;
The cardiovascular system;
Musculoskeletal system;
Urinary system;
Connective tissue;
Intestines;
Hair and skin.

With a deficiency of estrogen, changes occur in these organs and tissues that bring considerable discomfort to the woman. The severity of manifestations of hypoestrogenism depends on the compensatory capabilities of the body. This is a way of life, and heredity, and the presence or absence somatic diseases and many other factors.

Healthy women go through the premenopausal period without any problems or negative symptoms, especially at the beginning of this process, when the influence of estrogen is still present.

As menopause approaches, hormones become less and less, and their absence is practically not compensated for by FSH. But even in this case, some women live ordinary lives without feeling significant changes.

If there are endocrine disorders, of cardio-vascular system, gynecological diseases, a woman endures serious physical and mental stress, has bad habits, the symptoms of premenopause are pronounced, and a woman cannot always cope with them without the help of a specialist.

These manifestations are conditionally divided into 2 groups: the first are symptoms associated with menstrual dysfunction, the second are symptoms associated with a lack of estrogen.

Signs of the onset of premenopause:

Unequal menstrual cycles with varying duration and volume of blood loss;
Dysfunctional bleeding;
Enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands before menstruation;
Development of mastopathy;
Single “hot flashes”, characterized by a feeling of heat, increased sweating, redness of the skin of the face and neck;
Decreased libido;
Increased fatigue;
Irritability and increased emotionality;
Sleep disorders – insomnia or increased sleepiness;
Vaginal dryness, causing discomfort during sexual intercourse;
Deterioration of hair and nails;
Increase in body weight;
Frequent headaches;
Increased heart rate;
Blood pressure surges.

If premenopause syndrome gives a woman negative feelings, she should consult a gynecologist-endocrinologist.

In addition to a gynecological examination and ultrasound of the pelvic organs, the doctor studies the woman’s hormonal background. It may be unstable, so studies are carried out several times and the results are compared.

How do periods change during premenopause?

When menopause begins to show its symptoms, ovulatory cycles are insufficient corpus luteum and progesterone. Then, increasingly, their place is taken by cycles during which ovulation does not occur.

Such hormonal “swings” do not have the best effect on the endometrium. It is still under the influence of the remaining minimal amount of estrogen, so it grows excessively.

Against the background, menstruation in premenopause can be heavy, bleeding between menstruation is diagnosed. Menorrhagia sometimes lasts more than 7-9 days, accompanied by the release of clots.

When premenopause occurs and menstruation differs markedly in character from the usual picture, it is important to differentiate abnormal bleeding from symptoms of the following diseases:

It is important to remember that during the premenopausal period, despite changes in the nature of menstruation, cycles with normal ovulation are still possible. This means that the possibility of pregnancy cannot be completely excluded.

Since the level of progesterone, the main hormone of pregnancy, is extremely low, it will be very difficult in this case. One more risk factor cannot be excluded - due to unstable hormonal levels, a fertilized egg may begin to develop in the fallopian tube, and an ectopic pregnancy will occur.

How to smooth out the manifestations of the oncoming menopause?

Approximately 10% of women during premenopause experience menopausal syndrome with its negative symptoms - hot flashes, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, headaches, manifestations of hyperhidrosis.

Although it is impossible to delay the onset of menopause with medications, by complex therapy it is possible to alleviate the difficulties of transition from the reproductive period to a new state of the body. For this purpose, drugs from various pharmaceutical groups are used.

Hormones

To stabilize the menstrual cycle, they are used until the complete cessation of ovarian function. Types of hormonal drugs:

Progestogens – Norkulot, Turinal, Pregnin.

They stimulate the onset of the second phase of the cycle with endometrial rejection. The consequence of taking it is a decrease in the volume of discharge and a decrease in negative symptoms.

Mirena intrauterine device.

Prolongs the effect of progesterone, which reduces the intensity of uterine bleeding.

Combined means.

Facilities local application.

Creams and suppositories Ovestin, Estriol, Estrocad, Ovipol Clio for correcting the condition of the vaginal mucosa and impaired urination.

All hormonal agents prescribed by the doctor, self-treatment may lead to unwanted complications.

Phytohormones

If there are contraindications to taking synthetic hormones in the form of neoplasms and pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, plant-based analogues are used to equalize hormonal levels:

Estrovel;
Klimaktoplan;
Klimakt-hel;
Remens;
Klimadinon.

These products contain phytohormones from soybean, sage, red clover, passionflower, black cohosh and other plants, as well as extracts of bee and snake venom. It must be remembered that the effect of their use does not occur immediately, but after prolonged use.

Vitamins

To improve blood supply to the pelvic organs, support biochemical reactions, preserve immunity and restore defenses, it is recommended to use with increased content minerals:

Doppelhertz Menopause;
Lady's Formula Menopause;
Alphabet 50+;
Menopace;
Climafit.

As a result of their use, hair loss stops, the deterioration of the skin and mucous membranes stops, the epidermis regenerates, and the hormonal balance is leveled.

Premenopausal period- this is the first call about imminent arrival menopause. It is also called premenopause. During this period, women after 40 years begin to experience changes in their bodies. Two main female hormone start

Progesterone and estrogen are produced to a lesser extent. Completely depends on these two hormones reproductive system women.

Estrogen promotes puberty in girls. And interaction with progesterone prepares the woman’s body for fertilization.

Regular menstruation, the ovulation process, and pregnancy depend on these hormones. Also, progesterone and estrogen contribute to the favorable development of follicles, eggs and embryos, due to the thickening of the walls of the uterus.

Therefore, a decrease in hormone production leads to changes in the body - the premenopausal period. During this period, the number of follicles decreases, ovulation does not always occur, and menstruation becomes irregular. Reduced progesterone levels affect the abundance or absence of menstruation.

Premenopausal symptoms

Sometimes the absence of menstruation lasts for several months, then resumes again. The premenopausal period can last from several months to several years, until the onset of menopause, that is complete absence menses.

It is always necessary to pay attention to the abundance of menstruation. Because as a result of a decrease in progesterone levels, irregular detachment of the endometrium of the uterus occurs. This irregularity can sometimes cause bleeding. In this case, you should consult a gynecologist to exclude the possibility of cancer.

Many premenopausal women They mistake a long absence of menstruation for pregnancy. Yes, there is a possibility, but it is minimal. Therefore, in order to exclude unwanted pregnancy, it is necessary to take contraceptives. Contraceptives with low estrogen and progesterone content will not only help prevent pregnancy, but also normalize the menstrual cycle.

Definitely premenopausal period gives women the opportunity to prepare for more serious changes in the body - menopause. At this time, you need to take care of your health, namely strengthening it. To begin with, it is better to visit the clinic and go through full examination all organs.

Because the with the onset of menopause, bones often weaken. Therefore, during the premenopausal period, it is recommended to strengthen bones.

You should start taking calcium. The required amount per day during this period is 1000 mg. This can be achieved by eating foods fortified with calcium, vitamins, and nutritional supplements. You need to do physical exercise. You can take tests, where the specific gravity of the bones will be clearly visible, in order to compare the loss of bone mass during menopause in the future. According to studies, during menopause, some women may lose 1-2% of bone mass, others - 8-10%.

Some women to adjust menstrual cycle start taking progesterone. It is available in tablets. Take progesterone in a dosage of 5-10 mg every day for 10 to 12 days. Menstruation occurs within a few days after taking the last pill. It can be taken before menopause.

Contraceptives can also regulate the menstrual cycle. The products should be of low dosage of hormones. They will also help cope with some premenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes.
If hot flashes begin to appear, you can start taking vitamin E. It comes in the form of pills, the desired dosage is 400 units. Take it twice a day. In parallel, it is possible to take vitamins B and C.

For severe symptoms, hormone therapy may be prescribed

Need to get rid of bad habits in the preclimatic period. Since with the onset of menopause, smoking will greatly affect the heart, especially along with taking birth control pills.