Causes of menopausal conditions: uterine bleeding, discharge and ointment, hot flashes

Every woman in her life experiences a period of age-related changes in the reproductive system, as a result of which the reproductive function fades and the menstrual cycle ceases.

This process is called menopause or climax, and this phenomenon is considered a normal condition during which a woman's body is transformed and changes its functioning.

Causes of the onset of menopause

The main reason for the onset of menopause can be called a change in the hormonal background and endocrine system of a woman's body, which can be caused by a strong moral and psychological shock.

Let's highlight the main causes of menopause, which include:

1. Genetic predisposition. Heredity has a strong influence on the occurrence of menopause in its early stages;
2. Geographical factor. Exposure of the body to strong sunlight can provoke the appearance of menstruation at an early age and menopause later in life;
3. Chronic diseases. These include diseases of the endocrine system, such as pathological deviations of the thyroid gland, hormonal imbalance, diabetes;
4. Violation of the mental state of the body. Frequent worries, stress, and depression can provoke early menopause;
5. Healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, no bad habits and regular sex – all these factors have a positive effect on the development of menopause at a later age;
6. Socioeconomic factor. In women who are engaged in active loads and heavy physical labor, menopause occurs at a later stage, while women who are engaged in mental work are subject to early hormonal changes

All of the above reasons can affect the female body and speed up or stop the menopause process. Menopause is not a disease and should not be treated, and in no case should any dysfunction of the body be added to it. Experts believe that menopause can be delayed if desired, but specific methods of therapy have not yet been developed.

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Causes of early menopause

According to medical statistics, the average age of menopause is 48 years, however, the time of menopause onset is strictly individual. Often there are situations when it occurs at the age of 35-40 years. In medical practice, this phenomenon is called early menopause, the symptoms of which are long-lasting and especially severe.

Doctors consider early menopause to be a pathological phenomenon that requires targeted therapeutic treatment, since hormonal imbalances can be the cause of many diseases, including cancer.

The causes of early menopause in women can be:

• surgical intervention to remove the ovaries in case of ectopic pregnancy;
• taking hormonal medications;
• autoimmune diseases;
• the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of malignant tumors;
• endocrine system diseases;
• perverted immunological reactions, resulting in the production of antibodies to ovarian tissue.

According to the latest medical research, it has been proven that the following factors can bring on early menopause:

• unfavorable ecology;
• poor nutrition;
• excess weight or, conversely, too much thinness;
• taking hormonal contraceptives;
• abuse of smoking and alcohol.

It is possible that the cause of early menopause may also be a hereditary factor.

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Causes of uterine bleeding during menopause

After the menstrual cycle stops, bloody discharge may resume. Some women consider this to be normal, however, this opinion is erroneous, since uterine bleeding after menopause can be caused by various reasons associated with pathological disorders of the genital organs. It can also be associated with blood clotting disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, systemic atherosclerosis and other extragenital diseases.

Let's highlight the main causes of uterine bleeding during menopause. These may be:

• oncological diseases of the body and cervix of the uterus;
• benign formations such as polyps, fibroids, which have been removed or have undergone necrosis (local tissue death);
• hormonally active ovarian neoplasms (thecoma, ovarian sex cord tumor, Brenner tumor, etc.);
• prolonged functioning of ovarian tissue, even after the cessation of the menstrual cycle, and inadequate functional changes in the endometrium;
• pathological disorders of the thyroid gland and other diseases of the endocrine system. If there is insufficient production of hormones, bleeding will begin. It is appropriate to note that excess or deficiency of hormones can provoke a violation of the menstrual cycle at any time.

Bleeding during menopause may not always be caused by uterine origin. It is often caused by changes in the mucous membrane of the vulvovaginal area, and in some cases, it is caused by bleeding from the vaginal veins, which have varicose changes.

The appearance of even scanty bleeding after menopause is an alarming symptom, and if it appears, you should immediately contact a women's clinic and undergo an examination.

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Causes of discharge and spotting during menopause

Many women associate poor health with menopause, which occurs against the background of hormonal changes and the cessation of menstruation. In some cases, the discharge that appears after menopause does not stop. They can be different and quite often cause panic in women. In such cases, you should not worry, but rather seek help from a doctor.

Depending on the composition and appearance, vaginal discharge is divided into the following groups:

• mucous, transparent or having a yellowish tint;
• purulent, white or yellow in color, similar in consistency to thick cream;
• curdy, with a sour smell, similar to cottage cheese;
• Bloody or serous discharge may be spotting or obvious bleeding of a red color, like during menstruation.

All types of discharge in gynecology are considered pathological.

Bloody discharge should be especially noted and should be treated with special attention. The main reason for this phenomenon can be associated with partial functionality of the ovaries, but when the discharge becomes abundant and prolonged, it cannot be considered natural. Here, the cause should be sought in serious hormonal or oncological diseases.

Particular attention should be paid to bloody discharge that appears after the complete cessation of menstruation. This may be associated with such dangerous diseases as:

• fibromas and polyps, the main symptoms of which are serous, bloody and watery discharge, which are accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen;
• hyperplasia, in which the uterus can respond to a decrease in female hormones by growing its own tissues, which can cause not only blood but also blood clots in the form of lumps. Such symptoms occur in women suffering from obesity, hypertension or diabetes.

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Causes of hot flashes during menopause

One of the most pronounced symptoms of menopause in women is hot flashes, which worsen the quality of life, negatively affect the general condition and cause a lot of unpleasant sensations.

The duration of hot flashes and their intensity are individual. Some women may not even notice these changes, since the decrease in estrogen synthesis in their body has weak symptoms, while other women experience debilitating hot flashes in an acute form several times a day. In this case, it is better to seek help from a doctor.

Let's highlight the main symptoms that cause hot flashes:

• a sudden feeling of heat, especially in the face and neck, as well as in the chest, in some cases even an increase in body temperature is observed;
• profuse sweating;
• facial flushing;
• shortness of breath
• dizziness.

The duration of such a condition can be observed from a few seconds to two or three minutes. If the tide recedes, the woman may feel chills.

In some cases, in addition to the above symptoms, nausea, headache, general weakness of the body, a sharp change in emotional state, increased blood pressure and increased heart rate may be observed.

Usually, after the body has been rebuilt, when the hormonal background and general condition are stabilized, hot flashes stop. However, in some cases, they accompany a woman from the beginning of menopause until the end of her life, and their intensity gradually decreases.

A pronounced character of hot flashes is observed after operations to remove female genital organs, as well as after chemotherapy. Women often confuse hot flashes with heart attacks, since their symptoms are very similar.

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Causes of excessive sweating in women during menopause

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) during menopause is considered a harmless, but very unpleasant symptom that causes constant discomfort.

The cause of excessive sweating can be considered menopause, during which the body produces female hormones in small quantities. Such a disorder immediately "sends" false signals to the brain, and the body unconditionally obeys them.

In a normal situation, when a woman is hot, the blood vessels dilate, and the sweat glands produce more fluid to cool the body. During menopause, approximately the same situation occurs, only the brain signals are false and not related to heat. By executing the wrong command, the female body tries to free itself from a non-existent threat, the woman experiences a strong heat (hot flash), the face becomes red, the blood vessels dilate, and heavy sweating appears, especially in the armpits. Such hot flashes mainly occur during the day and can be repeated up to 15 times a day.

There is also night hyperhidrosis, when a woman feels a strong rush of heat in her sleep and wakes up from a cold, cool sweat. Night hot flashes are not only unpleasant, but also dangerous. Frequently waking up at night from the cold or an uncomfortable state of heat, a woman suffers from lack of sleep. On this basis, she cannot have insomnia, which leads to depression and chronic fatigue. The immune system suffers the most, the body quickly weakens and provokes various diseases, most often of the cardiovascular system.

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Causes of bloating during menopause

One of the most unpleasant causes of menopause is bloating, which creates a feeling of discomfort, fullness and distension. Many women during menopause complain of flatulence, which causes a lot of emotional and physical suffering.

Usually the problem starts after eating, especially if the diet contains salty and dairy products. In addition to bloating, there may be unpleasant belching, large amounts of gas, loss of appetite, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, and other symptoms.

The main cause of bloating during menopause is hormonal fluctuations, namely sudden surges of estrogen that retain fluid in the body and promote gas formation. Low estrogen levels can affect the reduction of bile production, which in turn leads to a disruption of the balanced composition of bile acids and the production of normal cholesterol. Such actions stimulate intestinal peristalsis, resulting in constipation.

Bloating during menopause is also influenced by other factors, such as poor nutrition, drinking carbonated drinks, and in some cases, symptoms are provoked by chronic diseases - diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and others.

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Causes of high blood pressure during menopause

Even women who have never suffered from cardiovascular diseases in their lives sometimes experience sharp changes in blood pressure during menopause. In fact, blood pressure surges occur in almost half of women in menopause, and if symptoms are not addressed, the problem can lead to stroke, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.

The main reason for changes in blood pressure is a lack of sex hormones, which provide many vital processes in the body. They especially have a strong effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Moreover, a reduced concentration of hormones leads to other malfunctions in the body. This can be:

• a violation of the water-salt balance, in which the fluid cannot function normally and stagnates in the tissues. Sodium particles remain in the body's cells, which increases the volume of blood and negatively affects the functioning of the heart, which causes an increase in blood pressure during menopause;
• unstable functioning of the nervous system, when a woman is in constant emotional stress, and sometimes in depression. It is very easy to upset her, make her worry, she quickly breaks down in tears, is often in a state of anxiety and fear. This condition causes a malfunction in the body, therefore, blood pressure increases;
• weakened state of blood vessels leads to a decrease in the volume of estrogen and progesterone. The walls of blood vessels become inelastic, they narrow, the blood becomes thick and viscous and it is difficult for it to move. Moreover, the level of cholesterol in the blood increases, which further aggravates the process. These reasons affect the increase in blood pressure;
• a tumor of the adrenal glands, which begin to produce an increased release of corticosteroids into the blood, resulting in increased blood pressure. The disease can be triggered by menopause;
• uncontrolled intake of hormonal drugs used during menopause. Synthetic hormones have a negative effect on blood vessels. In this case, the drug and its dose should be prescribed by a doctor;
• sleep disturbance, a symptom typical of menopause, which entails emotional instability. Lack of adequate rest leads to increased blood pressure;
• Obesity, excess weight and poor nutrition lead to a decrease in the concentration of sex hormones, increasing their sharp growth, the heart and blood vessels begin to work harder, therefore, the pressure rises sharply.

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Causes of headaches during menopause

Headache is one of the main symptoms of menopause and accompanies a woman throughout the entire period until the body is rebuilt. The main reason for its appearance is changes in hormones, which reduce the level of estrogens, however, there are other reasons.

Menopause occurs in parallel with a special psycho-emotional state, often with depression, fear and anxiety. These manifestations cause muscle tension, which can provoke a headache attack. Such attacks are difficult to relieve with analgesics or antispasmodics.

The headache comes unexpectedly, especially felt in the temples and frontal part of the head, there is a strong feeling of pressure and heaviness, sometimes it can temporarily darken in the eyes. This condition depresses the woman, she feels hopelessness, and the impossibility of getting rid of severe pain.

Headaches can also occur due to muscle strain, shoulder girdle strain, and sudden narrowing or dilation of the neck vessels. These symptoms can be confused with the onset of hypertension attacks, when the head hurts in the morning, there is a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head, and the face swells. In this case, it is necessary to monitor blood pressure.

There are other causes of headaches during menopause. This is a lack of oxygen (hypoxia), which causes shortness of breath and sleep problems. Sometimes menopause is accompanied by migraines.

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Causes of swelling of legs in women during menopause

All diseases that occur during menopause are pathologies of the organs and the first symptoms are swelling of the legs, dizziness, pain in the lower abdomen and back.

Swollen legs during or after menopause can “signal” to the body that there is a disruption in sodium-potassium metabolism, which can cause the following diseases:

• varicose veins;
• kidney pathology;
• hypothyroidism;
• excess fluid in the body.

In some cases, leg swelling can be caused by uncontrolled use of hormonal, anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs.

Sometimes, during menopause, swelling of the legs is not associated with serious diseases. For example, if you press on very swollen legs with your finger and a dimple remains in this place, then this may be a disease of the veins of the lower extremities or obesity.

Before starting treatment, you need to find out the cause of swelling in the legs. In addition to replacing hormonal drugs, you should take diuretics, which help remove excess fluid from the body. You can also take sedatives, and stop or significantly reduce salt intake.

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Causes of breast swelling during menopause

During menopause, women may experience swelling of the mammary glands, and their original shape changes. This is a normal process, during which the glandular tissue of the breast is replaced by fatty and fibrous tissue. The replacement of the tissue pattern in the mammary gland occurs under the influence of hormonal changes in the body, and this is a completely physiological process.

However, during this period there is a high risk of developing mastopathy or oncological breast pathologies, so during menopause women should undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist, mammologist and oncologist.

Breasts can also swell for other, completely natural reasons, such as:

• high fluid intake, especially coffee and caffeinated products;
• incorrectly selected underwear that squeezes the breasts and causes swelling;
• eating large amounts of salt and salty foods.

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Reasons for weight loss during menopause

During menopause, many women begin to quickly gain weight, which is explained by metabolic disorders and changes in hormonal levels. But there are situations when the situation changes in the opposite direction and weight decreases sharply. Let's highlight the main reasons for losing weight during menopause:

• the development of oncological diseases is the main reason that a woman should pay special attention to during menopause. In order to exclude the pathology of gynecological diseases, as well as to detect oncology at an early stage, it is necessary to visit a women's consultation at least once a year;
• thyroid dysfunction. It is necessary to undergo a full examination by an endocrinologist and take hormone tests;
• diabetes mellitus. During the development of the disease after menopause, a woman may not immediately attach importance to weight loss, a feeling of thirst, or dizziness. Then more serious symptoms appear, such as the taste or smell of acetone, severe irritability. Only a specialist and laboratory tests of urine and blood can confirm the diagnosis.
• improper nutrition. The diet of women during or after menopause should be different from the previous one. The fact is that the body at this age needs protein food more, it needs vitamins and microelements. Therefore, an improperly composed diet can lead to sudden weight loss
• changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. During menopause, women may experience prolonged constipation, stomach pain, and bloating. In this case, you need to undergo a full examination of the internal organs.
• helminthic invasion (parasitic diseases associated with the penetration of parasitic worms into the body). For some reason, it is generally accepted that the presence of parasites in the body is inherent only to children. If symptoms of rapid fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, discomfort in the stomach area appear, it is better to undergo an analysis for the presence of parasites in the body.
• mental disorder and central nervous system function. Frequent stress, nervous strain negatively affects health, therefore, older women are more susceptible to depressive states than young people. Such a situation can be reflected in sudden weight loss. You should seek help from a psychologist or psychotherapist.

This is far from a complete list of diseases that cause sudden weight loss during menopause; only the main, most common causes are listed here. In conclusion, we can say with confidence that with sudden weight loss during menopause in women, a thorough medical examination is required.

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