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Menopause, is a physiological change in a women's life that
occurs around the age of 51. This is a about a 2-7 year process. During this process a woman's reproductive cylce
comes to an end and she loses all reproductive ability.
Symptoms
Symptoms occur do to the changing of hormones in a woman's body. These hormonal changes can be accompanied by unpleasant
side effects, these effects vary from woman to woman. There are no clear symptoms for everyone.
According to Susan Krauss Whitbourne's text Adult Development & Aging, one of the symptoms women experience
are "hot flashes." These are sudden sensations of intense heat that can last for few minutes to an half an hour. A thinning
of the tissue lining the vagina may lead to pain during intercourse. Vaginal dryness can also occur, as may itching or irritation.These side
effects can lead to painful intercourse. Women who do remain sexually active, excercise and have a healthy diet are less
likely to experience severe symptoms. Some women report depressive moods in the years right before menopause,
but there is no evidence for increased depression. Anxiety and irritability are also reported by some. The decrease
in estrogen can result in lack of bone strength and result in osteoporosis, which if not taken care of properly can lead to
fractures and kyphosis.
Estrogen-replacement therapy
ERT for short, just includes estrogen. It is not used very often and was pretty
much replaced by HRT.
Hormone replacement therapy
HRT for short, is the most popular way of treating menopause. It is a combination of estrogen and progestin. According
to the Medical Surgical Nursing text by Lemone& Burke, it has been known to relieve hot flashes and night sweats.
Also decrease vaginal dryness and urogenital tissue atrophy, which can lead to urinary tract infections and painful intercourse.
HRT decreases the risk of colon cancer and hip fractures, but is known to have the possibility of increasing the risks
heart attacks, strokes and bood clots.
Complementary therapies
According to Lemone & Burke, some women find comfort in using the following
therapies.
Aromatherapy- geranium and rose, which can be used in bath
water or lotions.
Herbs- cohosh, vitex, agnue, ginseng and Chinese tonic
Supplements- vitamin E, soy protein
Meditation
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