Understanding Menopause

Women are different from place to place, culture to culture; but no matter where we live or who we are, we share common ground when it comes to our gender. One such commonality is menopause – the permanent ending of our reproductive lives as evidenced by the cessation of our menstrual cycles. Menopause can occur naturally – as it often does – or be brought on by a surgical procedure, but the results are the same.

Menopause generally occurs during a woman's late forties to mid-fifties and is defined by the ending of egg production by the ovaries. In addition to the cessation of egg production, the ovaries will also cease to produce estrogen – the hormone responsible for keeping the intricate processes of a woman' body in balance. The end to egg production results in the end of the menstrual cycle. And the elimination of estrogen results in a number of menopause-related symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, disruption in sleep, memory loss, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual desire, and mood swings. However, not every woman experiences every symptom. And when symptoms are experienced, the severity with which they are experienced differs greatly from woman to woman.

Menopause does not suddenly happen. It is a gradual process that normally occurs over the course of several years. However, there is also medically-induced menopause that occurs as a result of a surgical procedure.

While it is true that menopause is a physical event and manifests itself through physical symptoms, it can also have a bevy of emotional manifestations. The ending of a woman's reproductive life can be enormously sad for some women and marks the closing of a whole chapter of life. And when you are feeling a host of symptoms – some of which can be disruptive to your every day routine – it can have emotional consequences as well.

However, the experience of menopause doesn't have to be a difficult one; today's medical advancements offer a host of therapy plans designed to minimize the effects of menopause. If you find that you are having difficulties through menopause, consult your doctor to see what treatment options are available to you.