Abnormal menopause

Menopause is a natural age period in the life of not only women, but also men. This physiological period usually lasts three to five years. Male menopause manifests itself much later (at the age of 55-60 years), passes practically without symptoms, but lasts longer. Pathological menopause is characterized by pronounced symptoms that interfere with the normal life of a woman or a man.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Causes menopause

The ovaries stop developing follicles, so the eggs no longer mature and ovulate. Endocrine activity decreases. The ovaries decrease in size, as their follicles are replaced by connective tissue.

The amount of some hormones (gonadotropic) increases, which leads to a decrease in the amount of estrogens. The amount of estrogenic hormones decreases due to the predominance of estrone and the cessation of estradiol synthesis. It is estrogens that affect the mammary glands, uterus, vagina, bladder, urethra, brain cells, bones, arteries, skin, and mucous membranes in the body. It is their deficiency that forms the clinical picture of pathological menopause.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Pathogenesis

Today, there are three main types of menopause:

1. Physiological.
2. Early.
3. Late.

In women, this period usually occurs at the age of 45-47. If we talk about early menopause, it usually comes at 40 years, and late - after fifty-five. Too early pathological menopause occurs for various reasons, but most often it is heredity, infectious diseases, nervous thinning, heavy physical labor, improper functioning of the ovaries.

The menopause period is a difficult time in the life of almost every woman, as it is often accompanied by nervous disorders, depressive states and poor sleep.

[ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Symptoms menopause

Many patients experience menopause smoothly, without any unpleasant symptoms, but some experience the so-called "climatic syndrome". It is a pathological course of menopause. During this period, depressive states are exacerbated (especially in autumn and winter), which are usually associated with a lack of sunlight, hypovitaminosis and fatigue.

The most unpleasant symptom of menopause is hot flashes. They can last from half a minute to five minutes and appear at any time of the day or night. At first, a woman feels a strong heat in the upper part of the body, the skin may turn red first in the chest area, and then on the arms and shoulders. Then there is a strong feeling of cold and sweating. Such hot flashes are considered to be a consequence of disturbances in the activity of the autonomic nervous system.

Another unpleasant symptom that often appears during menopause is uterine bleeding. It can cause anemic syndrome. Such blood loss can be caused by hormonal imbalance.

Hormonal imbalances can cause unpleasant, often painful, sensations in the mammary glands. Small nodules can appear, which disappear over time and reappear.

Women often have headaches, develop migraines, and also experience dizziness. Some women may develop osteoporosis due to the development of hypocalcemia. Urogenital problems may also occur. They are caused by the loss of elasticity of the vagina and urinary tract, dryness of the mucous membrane. When laughing or coughing, urinary incontinence may occur.

During menopause, blood pressure constantly increases. This can cause nausea with vomiting, frequent dizziness and weakness.

First signs

Early signs of pathological menopause include the following symptoms:

1. Vasomotor symptoms – headache, hot flashes, heavy sweating, increased heart rate, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, chills.
2. Mental and emotional symptoms – anxiety, depression, drowsiness or insomnia, increased irritability, forgetfulness, inattention, decreased self-esteem.

The first signs during menopause always cover the first two years of postmenopause and premenopause. To improve their own condition, women often turn to a therapist or neurologist.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Complications and consequences

Estrogens are very important hormones in the human body. They improve the functional activity of the heart and blood vessels, nervous system, liver, skin, bones, bladder, female organs.

Due to the decrease in the amount of these hormones during menopause, a woman's menstruation stops, and the risk of developing osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease (including acute myocardial infarction) increases. Metabolism is also disrupted, which leads to rapid weight gain. The skin becomes less elastic and firm.

[ 16 ]

Diagnostics menopause

First of all, diagnostics of pathological menopause is carried out on the basis of complaints received from patients, especially if they have already entered the age of menopause or are close to it. Diagnostics is often complicated by the onset of exacerbation of some concomitant diseases, especially with an atypical course. If a woman develops concomitant diseases, she should seek help from a neurologist, gynecologist, cardiologist or endocrinologist.

To make a correct diagnosis, a specialist can conduct laboratory tests to determine hormones in the blood serum (luteinizing and follicle-stimulating). To clarify the condition of the internal genital organs, the doctor can conduct a histological analysis. In this case, a scraping from the endometrium and a smear from the vagina are taken. A basal temperature chart is also plotted.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]

Treatment menopause

When a woman has entered menopause, from that moment on she must visit a doctor at least once a year. This will allow diagnosing serious gynecological diseases at an early stage.

If the patient has severe vaginal dryness, she is prescribed popular hormonal agents. They help solve not only the problems associated with menopause, but also the general well-being of the woman. By taking drugs with estrogens, it is possible to prevent osteoporosis, vascular and heart problems, which often worsen during menopause. Recently, subcutaneous administration of hormones (prosterogens and estrogens) has been used.

Despite the rather positive effect of hormonal therapy, it should not be abused. It can lead to serious consequences and complications, up to the development of cancerous tumors. Estrogen can be replaced with vitamin E, which helps prevent the destruction of sex hormones.

If a woman is diagnosed with a lack of nutrients, this can negatively affect the functioning of the adrenal glands. In this case, it is necessary to prescribe vitamin complexes with vitamins B3, B2, B6 and B12.

It is very important to constantly get enough calcium so that bones and teeth do not deteriorate. It is recommended to use various medicinal herbs, which also help to calm the nerves. Physiotherapy procedures may also be prescribed: hydrotherapy, mud therapy, massage.

Medicines

Today, pharmacies offer a huge number of drugs that are designed to relieve the main symptoms of pathological menopause. Among them, the following medications stand out.

Estrovel. A new product among herbal preparations for the treatment of menopause. Helps eliminate the deficiency of estrogen hormones and reduce the number of hot flashes. The product also helps to correct the emotional and psychological state of the patient, reduce the risk of developing cancerous tumors, improve immunity, and prevent osteoporosis.

The medicine contains the following active ingredients: soy extract, black cohosh, indole-3-carbinol, wild maize root, folic acid, vitamins B6 and E, amino acids.

Take one or two tablets every 24 hours. The therapy lasts for at least two months.

Bonisan. A dietary supplement that is actively used by women during menopause. The preparation contains soy isoflavone extract. Due to this, it helps improve the appearance of the skin, alleviate the main symptoms of menopause, and prevents the development of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Bonisan is taken one capsule once every 24 hours. The duration of therapy does not exceed a month. It can be taken again a week after the end of the first course. Do not use more than twice a year.

Inoklim. A herbal remedy with an estrogen-like effect. Helps reduce the intensity and frequency of menopause symptoms. Also improves the patient's general condition and relieves insomnia.

The medicine contains soybeans, fish gelatin, soy lecithin, sunflower oil, soybean oil, glycerin, corn starch, iron oxide, titanium dioxide.

Take one or two capsules per 24 hours. The duration of therapy is at least three months.

Klimadinon. A popular herbal remedy used to improve the patient's condition during menopause, makes hot flashes less intense and frequent, and eliminates estrogen deficiency.

The active ingredient in the medicine is the extract of black cohosh. The medicine is used once every 24 hours (it is important to always drink it at the same time) 30 drops or one tablet. The course is quite long (three months). The patient's condition should be monitored by a qualified doctor during this time.

Traditional and herbal medicine

1. Dill water is often used to relieve the symptoms of pathological menopause. It helps not only to get rid of insomnia, but also to reduce the number of hot flashes. Take three tablespoons of dill seeds (dry) and pour boiling water over them. Let the decoction brew for one hour. Then dilute it with more water to make one liter. Drink 100 ml after meals three to four times in 24 hours. The course lasts up to four weeks.
2. Red clover, which contains phytoestrogens, is considered a fairly popular medicinal plant for menopause. To make a tincture based on this plant, take two tablespoons of dried red clover and pour it into a glass of boiling water. The decoction is infused for up to eight hours, and then filtered. Drink a quarter of a glass once every 24 hours before meals.
3. Royal jelly also helps to relieve the symptoms of pathological menopause. To make the unpleasant symptoms disappear, you need to take 20 g of pollen with honey every day.
4. For severe hot flashes, a special herbal tea will help: take two tablespoons of dry oregano and place in a thermos with two glasses of boiling water. Leave for four hours and drink three times a day until the symptoms disappear.
5. Freshly squeezed juices from carrots, celery, parsley, spinach, kiwi, cucumbers, and beets are excellent for helping during menopause.
6. Peony tincture helps to overcome the main symptoms (hot flashes, sweating, dizziness) of menopause.

[ 20 ], [ 21 ]

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are also actively used during menopause.

Klimaxan. Helps eliminate the deficiency of estrogen hormones and also strengthens the patient's body.

The preparation contains the following active components: lachesis, cimicifuga racemosa, honey bee. Drink five granules of the product twice a day, fifteen minutes before meals. The course duration is not less than one month and not more than two months. Can be repeated if necessary four weeks after the end of the course.

Klimakt-Hel. Helps prevent the development of osteoporosis, and also reduces the strength of hot flashes. The drug contains the following active components: Canadian sanguinaria, ignatia, sepia, cedron, lachesis, sulfur, metallic tin.

At the beginning of menopause, when hot flashes appear, immediately take 1 tablet. However, do not exceed the maximum daily dose (15 tablets). As soon as the condition improves, take one tablet two to three times in 24 hours.

Remens. A popular homeopathic remedy that eliminates estrogen hormone deficiency, reduces the strength and frequency of hot flashes, and improves overall well-being.

The preparation contains the following active ingredients: Canadian sanguinaria, black cohosh, sepia, pilocarpus and lachesis.

Take ten drops or one tablet three times a day for at least six months to achieve positive results.

Prevention

Hormone replacement therapy is used to prevent early pathological menopause, but it should only be carried out under the careful supervision of a specialist, as it has many side effects and contraindications. The most common side effects of such therapy are: uterine bleeding, weight gain, increased blood pressure, increased risk of developing malignant tumors.

An alternative and safer option for prevention is the use of various herbal preparations. It is important that the remedy is prescribed by a doctor.

To prevent menopause, you need to carefully monitor your health: eat right, exercise, and spend more time outdoors.

[ 22 ], [ 23 ], [ 24 ], [ 25 ], [ 26 ], [ 27 ], [ 28 ]

Forecast

If you follow all the recommendations given to you by your doctor, then the symptoms of menopause pass very quickly and no longer bother the patient. With the right treatment for possible concomitant diseases and osteoporosis, the prognosis is also favorable.

[ 29 ], [ 30 ]