Menopause FAQs

Menopause is the complete cessation of your periods for a period of at least one year. The ovaries are eventually depleted of all the follicles and therefore there is no production of egg and the hormones and therefore there are no periods. When a woman has not had a period for one year or more than that she is said to be menopausal.

The commonest symptoms are:

1. Hot flashes
2. Night Sweats
3. Mood Swings
4. Insomnia
5. Lack of Sleep
6. Vaginal Dryness
7. Loss of Sexual Desire
8. Urinary Frequency Urgency and Incontinence

Delayed periods, irregular periods or lack of periods for a period of 1 year suggest Menopause. Other symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, lack of sleep, lack of sexual desire, vaginal dryness.

All these symptoms can suggest that you are going through menopause

Menopause can start anytime from 45 years and can occur up to the age of 55. The average Indian age is about 51 years.

Women at birth have a limited number of follicles in the dormant stage. From menarche, every month a few follicles are recruited and a single egg is made. By the time of menopause, all the follicles in the ovary are depleted and therefore eggs are not made. As there are no eggs, therefore there are no hormones and therefore the lining of the uterus is not generated. Hence there are no periods. Once there is a complete cessation of periods it is called menopause.

During Menopause, there is a complete cessation of periods due to complete depletion of the follicles and lack of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

The absence of these hormones has an impact on various organs of the body thereby resulting in various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, urinary frequency urgency incontinence, vaginal dryness.

The lack of oestrogen and progesterone also has long-term effects on various organs such as the heart and therefore increases the risk of heart disease.

Oestrogen deficiency also affects calcium metabolism and therefore leads to osteoporosis. Oestrogen deficiency can have an impact on certain cancers and on Alzheimer’s.

There are some remedial measures such as good hydration, sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-ventilated room and wearing loose clothes.

Isoflavones in the form of tablets or supplements can be very effective.

Hormone replacement therapy for a short duration in the smallest possible dose can be very very effective in managing hot flashes.

In India, the average age is 51 years but the range is 45 to 55 years.

Yes, Menopause is a very important cause of vaginal dryness and it can be a very distressing symptom leading to difficulties in sexual life. The treatment is very simple and very effective.

Local lubricants and local hormonal creams can be very effective in managing the symptom.

Around the time of Menopause, many women complain of a sudden rise of a heatwave starting from the centre of the tummy and going through the body to the head and hands and legs.

Hot flashes result in the women feeling extremely hot and having sweats. These are usually common in the night and are responsible for fir sleepless nights.

They usually last for anything from six months to two years after Menopause. Hot flashes resolve and their role in most women but there are some for whom they will disrupt they are regular life and therefore they will need medical treatment to manage the hot flashes

Once Menopause set seen then it last forever once you stop having your periods they will not come back.

The symptoms of Menopause can last anything from 6 months to 2 years and up to 5 to 7 years.

Very occasionally for some patients last longer.

There is a center in the brain called the hypothalamus which regulates body temperature.

The fluctuating hormonal levels influence the hypothalamus and therefore Trigger of hot flashes.

Hot flashes will resolve over a period of 6 months in 40 to 60% of the patients spontaneously.

For some patients, hot flashes can interfere with their routine life and therefore they may need help.

Keep yourself very well hydrated.
Have a very healthy lifestyle and diet avoid cold and hot drinks such as tea and coffee in the night.
To sleep in a well-aerated room or in an air-conditioned room.
To sleep in loose-fitting clothes.
And to use thin blankets in multiple layers rather than use one thick blanket
Certain natural products such as soyabean flaxseed and alfalfa seeds have oestrogen activity and therefore can help the management of hot flashes.
A small percentage of women will need hormonal medication.

The entire phase of Menopause has 3 stages:

1. Perimenopause: Sets in 8 to 10 years before menopause.
2. Menopause is when you have not had a period for one whole year.
3. Postmenopause is time after menopause.

You will need blood tests, and sonography and then one can analyze the reason for the period again.