By Jacinta Nwachukwu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
There comes a time in the life of a woman when her menstrual cycle naturally stops. It comes with different feelings among women some of them think that it will negatively impact on their sexual life.
Yet, to others, it comes with sense of coming of age. Something of gratitude to God and. Yet to some others, it gradually draws the curtain on reproduction through a natural means.
“Many people, who know me well, know that I have been through hell for some couple of years. They know this because I have spoken to them about it.
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“At first I didn’t want to share my health challenges with anyone, but it became so frightening and overwhelming that I needed help.
“My symptoms were crippling anxiety, emotional numbness, extreme exhaustion, and feeling of losing myself. I was sad and scared, all the time, in fact I thought I have been poisoned.
“I never knew that what I was experiencing was pre-menopause, according to a gynaecologist. I now realize that menopause is a life transition, and not a disease, Mrs Margaret Eze said.
According to health experts, three phases are in a woman’s life namely pre-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.
They explain that pre-menopause is the transitional period before menopause, when one’s ovaries produce less estrogen and the menstrual cycle becomes irregular among other physical and emotional symptoms, it can last between two and 10 years before menopause.
Menopause occurs when a woman has gone through 12 consecutive months without menstruation. It is a process that happens when a woman reaches her 40s or 50s.
However, it can commence much earlier in some women due to some health factors, while post-menopause is the time after which a woman has been without menstruation for 12 months.
“Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period.
“Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States. Menopause is a natural biological process, says a U.S.-based Mayo Clinic report.
Mrs Ugochi Ugochukwu, a Senior Nursing Officer with the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State, says at post-menopause stage, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes get mild or go away.
“Once you are postmenopausal, your hormone levels will remain at a constant low level.
“But at pre-menopause, a diagnosis is sometimes hard; hence one needs to contact the healthcare provider to help diagnose one’s symptoms.
“Your medical history and age will be put into consideration; your blood and hormone level will be tested, determined and a physical examination may be required,’’ Ugochukwu says.
She also said that that pre-menopause does not need treatment unless symptoms are bothersome.
She mentions some of the symptoms to include; genital dryness, mood change, sleeps problems, night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain and irregular periods among others.
Dr Lola Owolabi, a Consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), says menopause occurs as a result of decline in the function of the ovaries.
The result, she said, is decreased production of estrogen and progesterone of produced estrogen and progesterone.
She says owing to depletion in estrogen and progesterone levels, women experience several symptoms, which she described as depressing and worrisome.
“Menopause may lead to lack of elasticity in breast, weaken uterus, vaginal collapse, risk of constipation, indigestion, weight gain, mood changes, loss of hair, deeper voice and the most common is hot flashes,’’ she said.
Owolabi also suggested that menopausal women should take supplement drugs rich in calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin E for hair loss as well as water-based lubricant for dry vaginal and intake of vegetables, fruits and chicken.
She further said that hormone replacement therapy was another means of managing menopause; however, this should not be used for too long to prevent cancer.
On healthy management of menopausal symptoms, Dr Joy Okwuogori, Department of Human Physiology, University of Abuja, says it is important for women to take a proactive approach to their health.
Okwuogori says women may struggle with menopausal symptoms due to misconceptions, lack of information and support, finding effective treatment options among other challenges.
According to her, addressing menopausal symptoms often requires a personalised approach.
“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, education, support from healthcare providers and appropriate medical interventions can help ease the challenges associated with menopause.
“Adopting a healthy lifestyle has always been the best approach to avoid diseases, prolong life, and live more happily.
“Unfortunately, the multiple roles played by women daily – care for the husband and children, chores, career/work and other challenges has placed maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the back burner, she said.
She, therefore, encouraged women to eat healthy, exercise regularly, as they approach the menopausal periods, saying this is to prevent complications such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.
She further reiterates that menopause is not something to be ashamed of, not a plague nor is it contagious.
