Menopause

Menopause most commonly happens around the ages between 40 and 55. Even so, there times that menopause has occurred in women as early as 30s and as late as 60s. A pre-indication of a woman drawing close to menopause is the variants of the duration of each monthly menstrual cycle. There is not any method available that can predict the time a woman will go into menopause. It is broadly accepted that a woman’s menopause begins at a similar age of that of when her mother’s began.

Menopause takes place because the ovaries cease to, or more precisely they, produce less estrogen and progesterones. These endocrine secretions (female hormones) determine the cycle of menstruation and gestation. Estrogen also helps bones to maintain their density. While the most usual symptom is the changes in the frequency and duration of the menstrual cycle, there are several other symptoms such as mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, itchiness, weariness, depression and weight gain that are commonly experienced during menopause.

Menopause happens in four stages, but not every woman will experience all of them. These are: pre-menopause, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. This first stage is the stage from the first period to the last period. Perimenopause; usually happens around the ages between 40 and 55, with menstrual irregularities and early menopause symptoms. The menopause stage comes about at the very final menstrual period. Post menopause is the stage after the last period has taken place.

Menopause also has three categories: natural, premature and artificial. Most women experience natural menopause. However, women that had their last period before they reached age 40, about one percent, have premature menopause. Most common reasons include genetic factors, chemical exposure or autoimmune diseases. Post menopause stage occurs after the last menstrual period. Decline in levels of female hormones may cause health issues including, heart disease and osteoporosis. At the post menopausal stage women have three times higher risk in suffering a heart disease than those non menopausal and of the same age group women.

Calcium and fat are crucial considerations that play a vital role in easing menopausal symptoms. For post menopausal women that choose to use hormone therapy (HRT) need at least 1,000 milligrams of elemental calcium daily. Those who are not on HRT need at least 1,500 milligrams of elemental calcium daily to meet their needs. Drinking milk will provide a rich source of calcium, and if fortified with vitamin D, it will further help the absorption of calcium.

Choose fruits such as figs, oranges, pears, apricots and dates and prunes, which both are rich sources of calcium. Add beans to your diet - Kidney and pinto beans are great sources of calcium. Raw broccoli is also counted as excellent sources. Consume some nuts daily especially almonds and follow a low-fat diet.