Critical Medicine and Treatment

Archive for the ‘Menopause’ Category

Risk Factors

Menopause is a normal stage in the life of a woman. But some women may occur earlier than others. Although not always conclusive, some evidence suggests that certain factors may predispose to early perimenopause, such as:

Smoking: The onset of menopause occurs one or two years earlier in women smokers compared with nonsmoking women
Family history: Women tend to experience menopause around the same age as their mothers and sisters, although the relationship between family history and age of menopause is still inconclusive
Not having a baby: Some studies show that women who have had children may have early menopause
Treatment of Childhood Cancer: Treatment for childhood cancer with chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy has been associated with early menopause
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy that removes the uterus but not the ovaries, usually does not cause menopause. Although there are no periods, the ovaries continue to produce estrogen. But this may cause menopause to occur earlier than the average Read the rest of this entry »

During the perimenopause can occur some changes (subtle and not so subtle) as:

Menstrual irregularity: As ovulation becomes irregular, the intervals between periods may be longer or shorter, the flow can be heavy or light. Early perimenopause is defined as a change in menstrual cycle length of more than seven days. Late perimenopause is characterized by the absence of two or more periods and at an interval of 60 days or more between periods

Hot flashes and sleep problems: Nearly 65% – 75% of women experience hot flashes, most commonly during the late perimenopause. The intensity, duration and frequency vary. Sleep problems are often due to hot flashes or night sweats, but sometimes sleep becomes erratic even without them Read the rest of this entry »

Definition

Perimenopause, also called the menopausal transition is the interval in which the body of a woman makes a natural change more or less regular cycles of ovulation and menstruation to permanent infertility or menopause.

The women start perimenopause at different ages. At 40, or even as early as 30, may begin to notice the signs. Periods may become irregular, longer, shorter, heavier or lighter, sometimes every 28 days, sometimes more or less space. May also experience symptoms similar to menopause, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness. There are treatments to help alleviate these symptoms.

Once you have gone through 12 consecutive months without menstrual period has officially reached menopause and perimenopausal period is over. Read the rest of this entry »

Women’s diet must be based on climacteric fruits, vegetables, fatty meats, fish and nonfat dairy products and rich in vitamin D, not forgetting, of course, foods rich in carbohydrates like rice, pasta and legumes.

1. Saturated and unsaturated fats
Fat. The Omega 3 unsaturated as reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Saturated fats, which come mainly from animal foods (beef, chicken and whole milk and derivatives), and some types of industrial pastries made with coconut oil and palm oil, should be avoided by submitting a high content of LDL-cholesterol ( “bad”, which is deposited on the walls of the arteries).

However, unsaturated fats, those of plant origin (olive, sunflower, corn, soybeans, etc.). And from fish, should abound in the diet, and lowering total cholesterol.

In addition, olive oil increases HDL-cholesterol ( “good”, which “cleans” the walls of the arteries) which, as we know, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases.

2. The fiber
The fiber is present particularly in plant foods. It is indigestible, that is, our body is not able to process and digest, so it is eliminated via faeces, with practically the same structure with which it was ingested.

However, it has many advantages: it increases what we call the “fecal bolus and decreases constipation. By reducing the contact time stools help with the colon, it also reduces colon cancer. Moreover, the fiber is capable of carrying some fat during digestion, thus reducing slightly the levels of blood fat. Perhaps one of its disadvantages is that there are people you increase the sensation of flatulence.

Read the rest of this entry »

Premenstrual syndrome is a term often not experienced in women due to various painful events:

* Abdominal bloating
* Headaches
* Nausea
* Breast pain and swelling.

These disorders are caused by hormonal imbalance, especially a hyperfolliculinism, itself linked to a deficiency of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). However, the PGE1 stimulates production of progesterone antagonist folliculin somehow.
The PGE1 can only be synthesized from an essential fatty acid: gamma linolenic acid, omega 6 in the series (6 ?) found in vegetable oils (unsaturated fats).

But there is a critical complementary: alpha linolenic acid in the series of omega 3 (? 3), who finds himself in fish oils (unsaturated fats).
The problem is what is the proper ratio of balance between the ? 6 saturated fat and unsaturated fat ? 3 to be in good health.
Read the rest of this entry »

The anxieties, difficulty concentrating, overreacting to minor problems, easy irritability, forgetfulness and mood swings are typical psychological problems. Studies indicate that many cases of depression relate more to the circumstances of menopause it self. Other events, such as care for elderly relatives, retirement, divorce or widowhood, children growing and leaving the house occur around the time of menopause. Also, some problems may be caused indirectly due to the disruption of sleep. To address emotional symptoms you should exercise regularly. This will help maintain your hormonal balance and preserving bone strength. Talking with other women, who are going through menopause, can help with emotional symptoms. Women approaching menopause often complain of memory loss and inability to concentrate.

Menopause is the period that ends a woman’s reproductive phase. Menopause begins at the end of menstruation. Over time, the ovaries gradually lose the ability to produce estrogen and progesterone, hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. As estrogen production decreases, ovulation and menstruation occur very often, and eventually stop. Menstruation can be stopped early due to illness or a hysterectomy. In these cases we speak of induced menopause. In Europe and North America, menopause usually happens when a woman is around 51-52 years old. Menopause can happen but sometimes as early as 40. The age and menopausal symptoms also have a strong genetic influence. As a rule of thumb, women who began menstruation early is more likely to experience menopause earlier.