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Home » Areas of Practice » Labor Laws » Job Hazards

Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of a female's evolution in which menstruation and fertility permanently come to an end. Although this is not considered a medical illness, menopause can make it difficult to sleep, make you feel less energized, and even promote feelings of despair.

Changes in hormone structure are responsible for the physical symptoms of menopause, but it is false information regarding the menopausal stage of life that can promote emotional distress. Many women associate menopause with an elderly period of their lives in which they are likely approaching death and have entered a downward spiral of deteriorating health and a loss of femininity and sexuality. However, there are many women who enjoy the idea that they can stop fussing over pregnancy and periods.

Even though menopause is not a sickness, if you are experiencing harsh symptoms, you should still seek treatment. Popular remedies include lifestyle adjustments and hormone therapy.

Causes

The transition into menopause starts when a woman's ovaries reduce their production of estrogen and progesterone, which both control menstruation. This process begins when the female turns 30, and at this point in her life, fewer fertile eggs ripen inside the ovaries on a monthly basis. After ovulation, there is a rise in progesterone, which prepares the body for pregnancy. But when menopause sets in, not as much progesterone is produced, and fertility declines. This may be partly a result of the hormone fluctuation.

All of these changes are more dramatic once the woman reaches her 40s, especially those related to the menstrual cycle. The duration of periods may become extended or shortened, heavier or lighter, and occur more or less often until finally, the ovaries stop functioning. Some women have been known to menstruate every month leading up to their final period, but normally, they occur with less and less frequency until they cease.

There is no way to predict when you will have your last period, but you will have to wait as long as a year to officially determine that they are over. The potential to get pregnant still remains during the waning months, but it is not very likely.

Since the process of menopause continues for years, it is split into two stages.
These include:

  • Perimenopause -- menopausal signs and symptoms begin as menstruation still occurs. Hormone levels vacillate, while hot flashes and other symptoms become noticeable. This phase can last up to five years.
  • Postmenopause -- estrogen output declines, and progesterone production stops altogether. The ovaries stop releasing eggs as well. The subsequent years are referred to as postmenopause.

Symptoms

Menopause officially begins after 12 months have passed without a menstrual cycle. The approximate age that occurs is 51. Symptoms that take place in the time leading up to menopause include:

  • Sporadic periods.
  • Diminishing fertility.
  • Dryness of the vagina.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Poor sleep quality.
  • Mood swings.
  • Excess fat in the abdominal area.
  • Thinning hair.
  • Sagging breasts.
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