Menopause and women's health

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of periods because of loss of ovarian function.

- DR. ANKITA MITTAL

It is a natural part of biological aging and most women undergo menopause between 45-55 years of age. The diagnosis of menopause is made when a woman has gone twelve consecutive months without a period which cannot be attributed to a reversible disease or medication.

Though it is nature's protective mechanism to free a woman from fertility and monthly cycles of bleeding & pain it comes with its own baggage of symptoms and bodily changes.

Almost 25% of women going through menopause experience severe symptoms and a similar proportion have a very smooth transition. The remaining 50% experience symptoms which are manageable and not so severe. These symptoms happen because of low levels of sex hormones- estrogen, progesterone & testosterone, which are predominantly produced by the ovaries. More than 66 symptoms of menopause have been defined, some of which are:

1) Vasomotor symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, fluctuation in BP

2) Physical symptoms: weight gain, new belly, bloating, facial hair, acne, hair loss, excessive fatigue & tiredness