1. Basic Things That You Should Know About Menopause Menopause is a state in which a woman has no menstrual cycles and stops being pregnant. It indicates the end of your reproductive years and is associated with the changes you have just gone through before or after you stop having periods. When may you have menopause and how long can it last? The ideal age to start having menopause differs from one female to another and one geographical region to another. Usually, you may have menopause in your mid or late 40s. It starts in you before the four years of your last menstrual cycle and lasts for four years after the same. Some of you may have menopausal experiences for 12 years since the last period. What is a menopause process? Keep in mind that it is not the result of any medications, or surgical procedures. It is a slow and natural process, and usually has three stages: •Perimenopause – It starts several years before menopause when your ovaries slow down the production of estrogens. This reproduction health state lasts until menopause, and you have a fast decrease in the level of estrogens in the last one/two years. •Menopause–It’s a period of one year when you had your last period. Your ovaries stopped releasing eggs and producing estrogens. •Postmenopause– It relates to the years when you had menopause.

2. What causes you to have menopause? Menopause is a natural process, which occurs due to the ageing of ovaries and a break in the production of reproductive hormones. Your body has several changes due to the lower levels of estrogens progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). You may have premature menopause due to the following reasons: •Addison's disease •Down's syndrome •Enzyme deficiencies •Hypothyroidism •Radiotherapy and chemotherapy to the pelvic area •Surgery to remove ovaries and womb •Turner's syndrome What symptoms may you experience/How can you know having menopause? By experiencing some changes or signs in your body, you can identify that you are in a menopausal phase. The menopause symptoms that you can have are no frequent menstruation, lighter/heavier periods, hot flashes, flushing, and night sweats. Other typical signs that you can have are as follows: •Anxiety •Depression •Difficulty concentrating •Dry eyes, mouth, and skin •Insomnia •Memory problems •Low sex drive •Reduced libido •Weight gain •Vaginal dryness You may also experience Increased urination, Sore or tender breasts, Headaches, Racing heart, Urinary tract infections (utis), Reduced muscle mass, Painful joints, Reduced bone mass, and less fullness in breasts. What complications can you have? If you do not regulate or lower your menopause symptoms, you may have health complications like cataracts, periodontal disease, urinary incontinence, and heart or blood vessel disease. Further, you may have pain during intercourse, mood swings, slower metabolic function, and vulvovaginal atrophy.

3. How is menopause diagnosed? You should consult a gynaecologist when you notice obstruction in your normal life due to the symptoms of this natural process. No doctor can stop you from it, but an expert can help you lower the associated symptoms and enable you to live a normal life. Your gynaecologist will converse with you to know your menstrual patterns and the issues you are facing. Based on the held interaction, the expert can advise you to have blood tests to know the levels of •Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) •Thyroid hormones •Estradiol What medications should you take to manage your menopause? No drug can help you prevent this natural break in your reproduction process. And you should avoid self-medication. Your gynaecologist may prescribe several menopause medications to help you lower different symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal, and osteoporosis. The drugs can be Vivelle Dot (Estradiol-17B), Vagifem (Estradiol), and Premarin (Conjugated Estrogens). The lifestyle changes and home remedies you can consider To lower your menopausal symptoms, you should avoid having anxiety/stress and be sexually active to lower your vaginal dryness. Keep yourself cool and stay comfortable. You can stop wearing tight outfits and try to have layered clothes. Further, you should exercise to manage your weight and try to have plenty of rest. Furthermore, you can follow these tips to have a comfortable feeling: •Maintain your bedroom temperature to avoid night sweats •Stop or limit your intake of spicy foods and control or say no to alcoholic and caffeinated drinks •Supplement your diet and practise relaxation techniques •Take care of your body and skin •Stop smoking and having alcoholic beverages •Manage your sleeping issues Conclusion Menopause is a natural break on your reproduction ability and menstrual cycle. There is a huge difference in the ideal age, but you may experience it somewhere between 35 and 50. You feel several changes in your body when you start experiencing it. To deal with it in a better way, getting in touch with an experienced gynaecologist and following her/him instructions, along with self-management, will be beneficial for you.