What is menopause?
Having a menstrual period every month is completely normal but so too is losing it.
Menopause is divided into three basic stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
When a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, she has reached the stage of life called menopause. Sometimes called the change of life, this stage signals the end of a woman's ability to have children. Many people use the term menopause to refer to the period of time when a woman's hormone levels start to change but menopause is actually when menstrual periods have stopped for one year.
The transition phase before menopause is often referred to as perimenopause. During this time the supply of mature eggs in a woman's ovaries diminishes and ovulation becomes irregular. At the same time, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases. It is the big drop in estrogen levels that causes most of the symptoms of menopause. Perimenopause usually lasts about 1 to 3 years.
The post-menopause stage signals the end of your reproductive years. While your ovaries will still produce low levels of estrogen and progesterone, you will no longer ovulate or menstruate.
Once you enter the post-menopause stage, you’re in it for the rest of your life. You may continue to have the same symptoms you experienced during the perimenopause and menopause stages for many years after your final menstrual cycle. Fortunately, these symptoms tend to dissipate over time.
When does menopause occur?
Although the average age of menopause is 51, any time between 45 to 55 years is normal.
Women who smoke and are underweight tend to have an earlier menopause, while women who are overweight often have a later menopause. Generally, a woman tends to have menopause at about the same age as her mother did.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
These are the most common symptoms of menopause. All women will experience symptoms differently. Some have next to no symptoms, while others have more frequent and stressful ones. The signs and symptoms of menopause may include:
- irregular periods
- hot flushes
- night sweats
- sleep problems
- sore breasts
- itchy, crawly or dry skin
- exhaustion and fatigue
- dry vagina
- loss of sex drive (libido)
- headaches or migraines
- more pronounced premenstrual syndrome
- aches and pains
- bloating
- urinary problems
- weight gain due to a slower metabolism
- mood swings
These symptoms usually last for about one to two years but some can last much longer.
Treatment for menopause
There is no cure for menopause it is permanent.
The good news is no matter which stage you find yourself in, menopause symptoms often can be managed by a healthy diet, regular exercise and lifestyle modifications.
Speak with your doctor about your symptoms if they start to become disruptive to your everyday life. Your doctor may recommend therapies that help to manage your menopause symptoms, these may include:
- Lifestyle and health changes
- Weight management
- Hormone therapy
- Alternative therapies
Here at Naked Passion we know and understand the struggles of going through menopause and trying to maintain a fun and healthy sex life.
Lubricants are number one on the must have list while experiencing menopause.
Because there tends to be less natural lubrication produced in the vagina, sex can be uncomfortable or painful. This is easily remedied by getting yourself a really good Lube.
Loss of libido is tough on a relationship, but spicing things up in the bedroom can help.
Some things to try may be as simple as getting a new vibrator, some new lingerie, arousal enhancing tablets or even just buying an X rated DVD to watch with your partner.
Talking to our caring team may be just what you need to get you back on track to a happy, healthy sex life.