[toc]The ovaries of women releases eggs after every menstrual period. Menopause is a stage when menstrual periods get stopped and no more eggs or ova are released. Ideally it occurs in every woman around the age of 50, although it may be quite normal for some people to reach this stage between the age of 40 and 60. The concluding few periods may be a little irregular with lesser or irregular bleeding. Menopause may be either normal or due to some other factors. A woman reaches a non-reproductive stage from a potential reproductive or fertile stage, along with menopause.
This reduces or stops the production of hormones by the ovaries. The whole transition can bring about a lot of biological and psychological changes in women which can also create complications at times. If the complications are not serious, the body usually adapts to the transition, after sometime.
Causes Of Menopauses
Premature Menopause Or Menopause Due To Hormonal Issues
Premature ovarian failure or premature menopause is a situation when the ovaries fail to function normally, before attaining the age of 40. In ovarian failure, the ovaries are unable to produce sufficient amount of estrogen and progesterone.
The symptoms of premature menopause are more or less similar to that of normal menopause except for the fact that the symptoms appear much earlier. Premature menopause reduces the fertility period of a woman. It becomes a hindrance for those women who want or try to conceive, a little late.
Normal Menopause Or Menopause Due To Aging
Just like puberty and menstrual cycles, menopause is also a part of the reproductive process. It is a natural part of the aging process which occurs normally when a woman reaches her middle age. The pituitary gland secretes follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH) which are responsible for monthly menstrual cycle.
These hormones helps in producing estrogen and progesterone hormones which induces the ovaries to ovulate or release eggs. However, the production of estrogen and progesterone comes down with age and the ovaries gradually ceases to respond to FSH and LH.
Symptoms Of Menopauses
An woman reaching the stage of menopause may experience a number of symptoms which may be complicated at times. However, these symptoms and complications differ from person to person. Experiencing hot flashes is one of the most common symptoms.
Apart from this, the major symptoms are night sweats, tenderness of breasts, urinary track infection, vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, nervousness, fatigue, pain in hips and backbone and loss of libido. Some other signs ans symptoms are irregular heart beat, mood swings, anxiety and depression, weight gain, indigestion, changes in body odor, itchy skin, mental confusion, insomnia, abdominal bloating, etc.
Induced Menopause Or Menopause Resulting From Medical Treatments
Induced menopause is different from normal menopause. When menstrual period is stopped due to some medical treatment, it is a case of induced menopause. Removal of the ovaries, intake of certain drugs, radiation therapies, and some other types of cancer treatments, can interfere with the menstrual cycles and stop them permanently.
However, hysterectomy or removal of the uterus without removing the ovaries does not stop menstruation. Induced menopause is usually abrupt and sudden. The gradual transition of the body that leads to the final menstrual period is absent in induced menopause.