Regardless of its symptoms (menopause) you may find it hard to believe just how many women wait in anticipation and welcome this major change to their bodies? Reasons of priority for why they feel this way is due to seeing no more periods, however in contrast we have those although they relish this thought find it hard to come to terms with the menopause and lapse into denial mode over the fact that their child bearing days are over thus believing they are now less of a woman. The menopause is a natural happening with no given specific date when it is to affect the woman. It is in the woman's best interest to accept the menopause rather than fight a losing cause in trying to prevent it from occurring. However, the symptoms can be treated to help calm the hot flushes, depression etc.



In the lead up to the menopause we have the peri-menopause which refers to one year before and one after the last show of blood, periods become erratic at this stage, i.e. Get heavier or lighter, last longer or shorter, they can start and stop, and adding to the confusion of having a regular monthly cycle - periods become unpredictable. Usually changes seem to happen about two years before the last menstrual sighting. Because of irregularity ovulation may still be happening so it is best to wait at least twelve months before encountering in a love in without using protection.

Understanding the menopause will certainly help you cope if you are going through the change of life. In the menstrual cycle there are three main players i.e. the brain, the ovaries and the uterus.

It is through the menopause that the ovaries no longer get to do their job; this then affects the brain, meaning, having to adjust to the non existence of ovary participation. The menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer respond to the controlling hormones released by the pituitary gland of the brain. As a result, the ovaries fail to release an egg every four weeks and to produce the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. If you are ever in doubt over a health issue you must always talk to your doctor because, treating what you believe may be a condition familiar to which you think you are suffering from - may just not be, hence causing threat to your well being.

The term 'menopause' is used in the technical sense referring to conclusion "no periods", but in general it encourages an assortment of symptoms while in the climacteric, or change of life. Time of expectancy for the menopause is usually around the age of 40 upwards, however it has been known to come earlier. The menopause is a time when the woman's ovaries stop producing eggs and reduces fertility levels.

Because we all differ in how we suffer will determine how a woman is treated for her menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes/Sweat attacks can happen throughout the night, during the day or both.

Loss of oestrogen can cause the above mentioned symptoms along with a reduction in vaginal fluid or having the need to use the toilet often. Approximately 70% of women suffer these symptoms in varying degrees, and it is because of this that treatments differ. Anxiety is another symptom of the menopause that can be disabling in more ways than one. For example, crying for no reason, not being able to drive a car, go on vacation or socialise in public. Suffering will differentiate greatly in the woman herself.