Menopause is sometimes known as the ‘change of life’, and is marked by the ending of menstruation. It occurs at an average age of about 50, but the usual range is from 47 to 52 years. However, occurrences outside this range are quite common.
A premature Menopause can occur for a number of different reasons. These also include an earlier surgical removal of ovaries.

Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural progression of ageing. However it is often associated with some medical and psychological problems.

The Menopause indicates the end of ovulation (egg production) by the ovaries. As women approach the menopausal age the frequency of periods gradually reduces and over a period of time stops. Sometimes the periods may also stop abruptly.

With the onset of Menopause the ability to conceive diminishes. This is because of the fall in the level of oestrogen, a hormone, which is associated with fertility in women. Some menopausal women suffer psychologically from the awareness that they have come to the end of their reproductive life.

This is a period of physical and psychological stress and may lead to some problems.

A women is considered to have reached Menopause when she has not had a period for an entire year. Changes and symptoms can start several years earlier.

The most common symptom of Menopause is hot flushes affecting the upper part of the body including face and neck. These vary greatly in frequency and duration. For some women, they are very brief and infrequent, whereas others may have many episodes in a day that last for as long as 15 minutes.

Other reported menopausal symptoms include night sweats, insomnia, headaches, weight gain and general irritability. Often these symptoms are severe enough in themselves to justify treatment.

Ligaments that support the womb become weaker and, as a result, the tendency for the womb to ‘come down’ (prolapse) increases, especially if the pelvic floor muscles have been weakened during childbirth. Some women find that the Menopause increases stress incontinence (the leaking of urine when coughing or exercising).
The changes in the vagina and the reduction in lubricating secretions can cause difficulty and discomfort in sexual intercourse and chances of having vaginal and urinary infection can increase (cystitis).
During the reproductive period, the presence of oestrogen hormone protects women against the major arterial disease artherosclerosis. Unfortunately, this protection is lost after Menopause, and the incidence of heart attacks and strokes increases.

Loss of bone density and osteoporosis is a natural feature of ageing, but loss of oestrogen accelerates the process in post-menopausal women.

Staying healthy after Menopause may necessitate making some changes in the way your live.

• Don’t smoke. Stop the use of tobacco in any form. It’s never too late to benefit from quitting smoking.
• Switch to a healthy diet-one low in fat, high in fibre, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods, as well as all the important vitamins and minerals.
• Make sure there is enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet or in vitamin/ mineral supplements.
• Learn about what healthy weight is and try to stay there.
• Exercise regularly.