Menopause

= = toc = Definition: = The cessation of menstruation, occurring between ages 45 and 55 and signifying the end of reproductive capacity. Gen Psych, Ch 8, pp. 266

= Examples: = Symptoms associated with menopause and the sharp decrease in the level of estrogen: __#|Hot flashes__( sudden feelings of being uncomfortably hot) Anxiety Irritability Mood Swings 10% may experience __#|depression__ media type="custom" key="23539578"

= Analogies: =

Lets examine, for example, an analogy to the hormonal shifts in menopause. Think of normal healthy female function as the onset of spring. Think of the sun as your brain, its heat as the signal of FSH and LH, and the seeds as the ovaries, with the flowers representing estrogen and progesterone.

The sun releases heat as a signal for the earth to warm. This warming allows flowers to blossom. Once all the flowers have blossomed and the optimum temperature is reached, the signal stops, the flowers perform their intended role and then wither as the temperature drops to wait for the next cycle of warming.

Now imagine if the seeds would not respond to the heat – the heat would just build and build but there would never be any flowers. This is similar to the transition of menopause.

= Mnemonics: = = = = MEN-NO-PAUSE = MEN DONT GET A PAUSE FROM MENOPAUSE=


 * M**ood swing
 * E**strogen levels decrease
 * N**ight sweats
 * O**varies decrease production
 * P**eriods become irregular
 * A**nxiety
 * U**rinary __[#|incontinence]__
 * S**leep problems
 * E**xtra weight gain

=In the News:=

[|Nutrition and Menopause] Good nutrition minimizes __#|menopause symptoms__, making life more enjoyable for you.

media type="custom" key="22679812"media type="custom" key="22679824"

=Discussion Area:=

I have heard of so many women being so miserable with menopause, __#|Hot flashes__ that never goes away and do not want to take any medication because they are afraid that may cause them breast cancer.

So I ask my mother and older sister, how was those changes for them,my mother said she did not even notices. My sister said she only remember being moody. Although they both are very active and always outgoing I hope is the same way for me. But she also have told me that some women had become sexually active were they had left their husband for younger men ja, I dont now if that is the case. what do you think. Other women she said they were almost schizophrenic, because they stared to talk by them selves, and this are perfectly mentaly healthy women. so people though that the women were loosin it. So they come to the conclusion that must to been menopause because they were normal after.

what do you think I defenetely rather put up with just hot flahes.

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