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Just as each pregnancy is different, the experience of menopause and the premenopausal period vary for each woman. For some women, the transition through menopause is easy, while for a small percentage, it is difficult. The most important thing here is to understand that menopause is not a disease. In women who have a positive attitude towards menopause and aging, symptoms are mild or may not occur at all.<\/p>\n
Women who receive medical information and support during the premenopausal period, the period when menopausal symptoms start, tend to go through this period more comfortably.<\/p>\n
Women using birth control pills experience fewer symptoms associated with hormonal fluctuations during the premenopausal period. Additionally, having high societal roles and expectations can make this period more challenging.<\/p>\n
Women who receive support from their spouses, children, and the people around them find it easier to go through this process. Also, women who are happy with their work experience milder and shorter duration of these symptoms in natural menopause.<\/p>\n
Women who have had their ovaries surgically removed for a reason experience more severe menopausal and premenopausal symptoms. Symptoms are more severe in women with low education and socioeconomic levels, smokers, those who do not exercise, those with health problems, those without a partner, and those who cannot establish a healthy relationship with their environment.<\/p>\n
What percentage of women experience the common symptoms of menopause? Which of these symptoms is most commonly complained about?<\/strong><\/p>\n Almost every woman feels menopausal symptoms to some degree, whether mild or severe. Seventy percent of all menopausal women endure symptoms that cause changes in their daily lives, while for 30 percent of women, these symptoms are quite mild. In 80% of women, these symptoms may resolve within 5 years, but for 20%, these symptoms may persist. The reason for this is not known; just as every woman is different, the recovery process of menopausal symptoms also varies from woman to woman.<\/p>\n The most common symptom is hot flashes in menopause. Seventy-five percent of menopausal patients have this symptom. It is described as a sudden heat or temperature increase in the body. The body temperature measured during this time is normal. Often excessive sweating accompanies this symptom, whether at night or during the day. Nausea, dizziness, and feeling unwell may sometimes accompany this symptom. During menopause, this symptom can affect the whole body, but it most commonly affects the head and neck. It can occur for a few seconds or a few minutes at any time of the day. The exact cause of hot flashes is not fully understood. The part of the brain where body temperature is perceived and controlled is the hypothalamus. Researchers suggest that the decrease in estrogen levels causes a malfunction in temperature perception in the hypothalamus. Increased temperature perception attempts to lower body temperature by causing sweating and reddening of the skin, which are control mechanisms in the body. Sudden temperature changes, anxiety, stress, and even consuming overly spicy foods can activate hot flashes. Treatment is necessary during menopause.<\/p>\n What is the biggest risk during menopause?<\/strong><\/p>\n The risk of heart disease increases with age. However, in women, this risk becomes more apparent with the onset of menopause. With menopause, a woman’s risk of heart disease becomes equal to that of men. Menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease. However, with menopause, the presence of hypertension, high blood fats, diabetes, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition increases the risk of heart disease.<\/p>\n During the menopausal period, what health risks are women more exposed to due to what reason?<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the body structures most affected due to decreased estrogen levels is the bones during menopause. The risk of bone loss or osteoporosis increases during menopause. Estrogen is an important hormone for bone formation. Along with decreased estrogen; a history of bone loss in the family, previous history of bone fracture, surgical or early menopause, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and calcium-poor nutrition further increase this risk.<\/p>\n Also, due to decreased estrogen, urinary leakage may occur due to the loss of elasticity in the vagina and urethra, and sagging may occur due to the relaxation of the ligaments that hold the uterus and bladder in place. Additionally, gallbladder stones and diseases may increase during menopause due to the same reason. A relationship has been shown between Alzheimer’s disease and weight gain during menopause.<\/p>\n What changes occur in a woman’s appearance during menopause?<\/p>\n The thickening and elasticity loss of the skin, collagen loss, increased sagging, and wrinkling. Signs of aging of the skin are sagging, reduced pigmentation, increased vascularity in the skin, dryness, and hardening. The main culprits accelerating this process are prolonged exposure to the sun and smoking.<\/p>\n An increase in male hormones in the blood, resulting from a decrease in estrogen hormone, can cause hair loss, increased facial hair, and male pattern baldness on the face. Due to the decrease in tear production in the tear gland, dry eyes can be observed. Decreased estrogen levels reduce metabolism rate, also reducing the use of sugar and starch, leading to weight gain.<\/p>\n Why does a person gain weight during this period, and why does weight gain occur especially in the waist and abdomen?<\/strong><\/p>\n Many women gain weight during the menopausal period. However, it is not inevitable for menopause to cause weight gain. Aging and changes in lifestyle are seen as culprits for weight gain during menopause. Aging is accompanied by a decrease in the body’s metabolic rate. The body mass index decreases after adolescence. After the 40s, women reduce their physical activities, resulting in a decrease in muscle mass.<\/p>\n Although menopause is not directly related to weight gain, it is related to changes in body shape and fat distribution. Many studies have shown that, regardless of age in the premenopausal period, there is a decrease in body mass, but an increase in abdominal fat. As menopause approaches, a transition from a pear-shaped body (wide hips and thighs) to an apple-shaped body (large abdomen and upper body) occurs. It is stated that the increasing male hormones in menopause are the cause of this weight gain tendency. In patients with a tendency to gain weight in this way, it increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease risk, rheumatism risk, and some cancers.<\/p>\n Is menopause a new and positive period leading to comfort in life?<\/strong><\/p>\n When encountering menopause, it is important to realize “yes, a certain period of my life has ended, now a new page has opened.” Many women experience emotional challenges during menopause. They perceive menopause as the end of fertility and a sign of aging. However, this newly started period provides many advantages in life. Women typically experience menopause between the ages of 47-53. They have long years ahead of them, up to 80 or even 90 years. Within these years, you can focus on productive living, interests, desires, and dreams.<\/p>\n You bid farewell to uncomfortable conditions such as bloating, stress, and pain before and during your normal menstrual cycles. You no longer need to think about your menstrual time when planning your travels. You have a more liberated sexual life without the fear of getting pregnant. Many women spend their lives focusing on their spouses and children, worrying. After menopause, you can dedicate more time to yourself and focus on yourself.<\/p>\n Throughout your life, you have experienced changes in your body. Your body went through many changes during adolescence, and you learned to adapt to it. Being pregnant is exciting, but your belly swells, your stomach feels nauseous and sour, and your feet swell. The same is true for menopause. While going through menopause, it is important to accept that there will be uncomfortable symptoms. If you see this change as a healthy and normal process, it will be easier to cope with and see its positive aspects.<\/p>\n What are the misconceptions about menopause?<\/strong><\/p>\n Women know the age of menopause as 50. When experiencing discomfort such as hot flashes, fatigue, and a decrease in the duration and amount of menstruation, they immediately think they are entering menopause. The premenopausal period, which we call the premenopausal period, can vary between a few months and 13 years. In fact, due to fluctuations in hormone secretion, these complaints may be felt more severely in the premenopausal period.<\/p>\n Weight gain during menopause is inevitable! Menopause does not necessarily allow weight gain. Aging and changes in lifestyle are seen as guilty elements for weight gain during menopause. Aging is accompanied by a decrease in the body’s metabolic rate. After adolescence, the body mass index decreases. Women reduce their physical activities after their 40s, resulting in a decrease in muscle mass.<\/p>\n There is no difference between natural menopause and surgical menopause! In surgical menopause, a woman is exposed to sudden hormonal changes. In natural menopause, this process occurs slowly. In women who have entered menopause surgically, menopausal symptoms are more severe. Due to low testosterone levels, sexual life may be more affected in women who experience surgical menopause.<\/p>\n Menopause will decrease a woman’s sexual life! Sex can be fun and healthy at any age. A decrease in sexual desire is a natural part of aging. The real problem here is the decrease in sexual desire due to painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness. After preventing this, a healthy sexual life can be provided.<\/p>\n The first symptom of menopause is hot flashes! Hot flashes are an inevitable part of menopause. Correct. However, it may not be the first symptom for many. Complaints such as fatigue, anxiety, irregular menstrual periods, irritability are often the first symptoms.<\/p>\n After menopause, your body does not produce hormones! A portion of estrogen and progesterone produced in our body is produced from our adrenal glands. However, this hormone level is not sufficient for the continuation of our reproductive cycle. Perhaps the decrease in some of our complaints after the menopausal period is due to these hormones.<\/p>\n The later you have your period, the later you will enter menopause! For many women, the opposite is true.<\/p>\n Menopause only causes physical symptoms! Menopause and premenopausal conditions cause emotional fluctuations and lead to mental changes. Therefore, menopause is called the reverse adolescence.<\/p>\n The best way to navigate menopause correctly is to take hormones or not! Although hormone replacement therapy is widely used for menopause worldwide, the decision on which woman needs hormones is made by consulting your doctor.<\/p>\n Did you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes there may be irregular ovulations in the early stages of menopause. This can lead to unintended pregnancies. If you are over 50 and have entered menopause, protection for 1 year, if you have entered menopause under the age of 50, for 2 years, will help prevent unintended pregnancies.<\/p>\n Is the perception of menopause as the end of femininity influenced by the male perception of this?<\/strong><\/p>\n The position of women in society and within the family determines their health. In our society, women and men, especially women, have very little opportunity to learn about their bodies. Many women already feel the anxiety that their body image will be disrupted, their feminine functions will end, and they will age when they experience menopause. In society, men express that they like young, beautiful, and fit women. Beginning with the menopausal period, the physical and mental changes that start negatively affect the most important thing in sexuality, which is body image. It leads to a loss of self-confidence in women.<\/p>\n In places like our country where men’s sexual problems are not discussed and questioned, men’s problems are shown as the woman’s fault. In a study conducted, it was found that 70% of men over 40 in Turkey have an erection problem. Since painful sexual intercourse due to vaginal dryness already caused by menopause is accompanied by an erection problem, it disrupts the relationship between women and men. For a woman to adapt to her new life, her spouse needs to be sensitive, thoughtful, and understanding. Instead of blaming sexual problems on women, solutions should be found together and, if necessary, a specialist should be consulted.<\/p>\n How is the perception of menopause different between Western women and Turkish women?<\/strong><\/p>\n Life expectancy has increased throughout the world. This situation is valid for Turkey as well. The average life expectancy for women in Turkey is 76.1. Therefore, the period a woman spends during menopause has lengthened and will continue to do so. The age of menopause remains unchanged. Women have a longer duration to adapt to menopause and their ability to accept menopause, women’s perspective on sexuality, and evaluating women’s sexual functions increase with higher socioeconomic and education levels.<\/p>\n Is menopause the cause of forgetfulness and depression?<\/strong><\/p>\n Temporary forgetfulness and depression may be observed during menopause. Memory changes begin between the ages of 40-50, and they improve after the menopausal period. The forgetfulness symptom is more pronounced within 1 year following the last menstruation. Memory improvement occurs in the early stages of menopause. Mood changes such as depression and anxiety can be observed during menopause. Depression is more common in women who have previously experienced mood disorders. However, when looking at the overall population, there is no increase in the rate of depression. Insomnia, weakness, fatigue, anxiety, panic, inattention, and crying attacks may be seen during menopause.<\/p>\n Does a woman’s sexual life end when she enters menopause?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sexuality is an important part of health and identity. Most of society finds it disturbing that elderly people have sex and enjoy it. Therefore, sexuality is not discussed much during menopause.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”cs-1″][\/vc_column][vc_column last=”yes” width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] What You Wonder About Menopause [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In which personality types do women navigate the menopausal process more easily? Just as each pregnancy is different, the experience of menopause and the premenopausal period vary for each woman. For some women, the transition through menopause is easy, while for a small percentage, it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":450,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n