Menopause, menopause, premenopause, postmenopause. Symptoms, diagnosis, effective treatment and prevention of menopause. What is postmenopause: symptoms, treatment and prevention after menopause What is postmenopause in women at 40

Postmenopause is a period of time that begins when menstruation ceases and lasts until age 65-69. This period in life is also called. In the first three years of postmenopause, single follicles may still appear in the ovaries, but over time they completely disappear. So, what is postmenopause and how to deal with it?

Postmenopausal problems

As a result of the fact that there is a lack of female hormones in the body during postmenopause, a woman may experience serious disorders. They are usually divided into early, manifesting themselves in the premenopausal period, mid-term and late. The average postmenopausal period begins 4 years after the cessation of menstruation and is characterized by:

• from the skin and mucous membranes - dry skin, the appearance of wrinkles, increased fragility of hair and nails, dry mouth and respiratory tract;
• from the vaginal mucosa - pain that occurs during sexual intercourse, frequent inflammation of the mucous membrane, dryness and general discomfort;
• urethral disorders - frequent urination, urine discharge when coughing, laughing, runny nose, frequent inflammation of the kidneys and bladder.

Late postmenopausal symptoms appear 6-7 years after menstruation has stopped. Such manifestations often include cardiovascular diseases. Not everyone knows that the concept of postmenopause is associated with osteoporosis in women. During this period, the risk of developing this disease is quite high in women:

• fragile physique;
• those who have suffered fractures over the age of 50;
• smokers and alcohol abusers;
• with diseases of the thyroid gland, liver;
• leading a sedentary lifestyle.

If you fall into one of the risk groups, it is imperative that after the cessation of regular menstruation, regardless of how long postmenopause lasts, you must take preventive measures aimed at combating osteoporosis. Otherwise, after 5-7 years, 25-50% of bone mass may be lost.

Treatment during postmenopause

Before starting treatment for postmenopause, or rather the disorders that arise against its background, women are recommended to undergo examinations to identify all hormonal indicators, because they can fluctuate depending on the period of menopause. In postmenopause, the hormone norm is 9.3-100.6 FSH, the progesterone norm is less than 0.64, and the LH norm in the blood is 14.2-52.3; for other indicators, a gynecologist must prescribe individual hormone replacement therapy.

The main advice to every woman who feels that postmenopause is just around the corner is to accept that all hormonal changes occurring in the body are normal. Don’t be nervous and don’t associate it with something negative, but perceive it as a new period of life that has its advantages.

Most women are concerned with the questions: what is postmenopause and when does it occur, what symptoms will it occur, what is normal, and what signs may indicate the presence of pathology? You need to know in advance what to prepare for and what means to alleviate your condition.

Menopause is an inevitable process that occurs in a woman’s body. It is associated with the end of the reproductive period and a gradual reduction in the production of sex hormones. Many women equate menopause with aging, but this is far from true, because the menopause lasts three decades and does not occur instantly. If you recognize the onset of menopause in time, then by adjusting your lifestyle and diet, you can significantly reduce the symptoms of hormone deficiency.

Endocrine changes are mainly associated with a lack of estrogen production - these are the main female sex hormones. The peculiarity of estrogens is that they ensure not only the normal functioning of the genital organs, but also affect the entire body:

• skin condition worsens;
• psycho-emotional state is disturbed;
• obesity develops;
• estrogens prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques in the blood;
• participate in the liver's production of blood clotting factors.

It is because of the lack of estrogen that women experience rather unpleasant menopausal symptoms.

The main stages of menopause

Menopause cannot be identified with menopause - this is a long period that begins 5–7 years before the cessation of menstruation and ends 10–15 years after the last menstruation. The onset and duration of menopause varies from woman to woman. However, there are average time intervals that doctors measure by.

Premenopause

Premenopause – 45–50 years. During this period, a decrease in the production of sex hormones and disruption of the menstrual cycle are characteristic. At this time, a woman may feel:

• flushing of the face, fever, increased sweating. This occurs because the blood circulation in the body changes;
• psycho-emotional changes, which may manifest as increased excitability, uncontrolled aggression, frequent mood swings, tearfulness, emotional depression;
• weight gain occurs due to an increase in fat layers and muscle tissue atrophy.

Timely hormonal correction and lifestyle changes during this period will help alleviate the symptoms of menopause and prevent the occurrence of more serious problems during menopause.

If a woman does not menstruate for 12 months, this is evidence that menopause has occurred. At this time, the main symptoms characteristic of premenopause remain, and new ones may arise:

• decreased sexual desire;
• vaginal atrophy – dryness, burning appears, inflammation may occur;
• urinary disturbance. Urinary incontinence can occur at night, or under strong mechanical pressure, for example, during coughing attacks;
• obesity - tissues lose sensitivity to insulin, as a result the pancreas begins to produce it in greater volumes in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels. And insulin is the hormone that promotes the accumulation of fat, especially in the waist and abdomen.

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is a long period that begins after the final cessation of menstruation. The ovaries completely lose their functions, there is an acute deficiency of hormones, which leads to dysfunction of the estrogen-dependent genital organs:

• uterus;
• vagina;
• mammary glands;
• vulva.

As well as other systems:

• musculoskeletal;
• cardiovascular.

Main signs of postmenopause

How to understand when postmenopause occurs, what will happen to the body, what symptoms will appear? Such questions concern women after 40 years. The main sign that the postmenopausal period has begun is a prolonged, more than 12 months, absence of menstruation. The woman will not miss this stage; moreover, she will already be prepared both mentally and physically, since it was preceded by two periods of menopause.

Postmenopause is conventionally divided into two stages:

• early – up to 55 years;
• late – up to 65 years.

In the early period, there may be such manifestations of menopause as:

• urogenital disorders;
• changes in the skin.

Due to hormone deficiency, the mucous membrane of the vagina and vulva becomes thinner, it becomes vulnerable to infectious aggression and various mechanical injuries, so at this time a woman may develop:

• vaginitis;
• urethritis;
• cystitis.

The absence of normal microflora can provoke local dysbiotic disorders, which lead to inflammation of the mucous membrane. In this case, the woman will notice the appearance of atypical vaginal discharge, bleeding, and ichor.

In early postmenopause, patients are often diagnosed with benign neoplasms:

• polyps;
• uterine fibroids;
• serous cyst.

The occurrence of such diseases is caused by hyperplastic changes in the endometrium - this is the growth of the inner layer of the uterus locally or along the entire perimeter.

During postmenopause, a woman's appearance changes: the skin loses collagen fibers and ceases to retain fluid, deep wrinkles appear, the skin becomes dry, and elasticity decreases. In addition to the skin, nails also suffer, which become thin and brittle, and hair, which also thins and falls out.

Symptoms of the late stage of postmenopause

The most unpleasant consequences of menopause can occur in women after 55 years of age. As a result of endocrine changes, the following develops:

• osteoporosis - calcium is washed out of the bones, they become brittle, and the risk of fracture increases even from a minor bruise. The most vulnerable place in the skeleton is the femoral neck. And the resulting bone fractures heal for a long time and painfully;
• cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension and coronary heart disease can occur at a younger age, however, the peak of such incidence occurs precisely in postmenopause;
• atherosclerosis – excessive deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. A lack of estrogen leads to a buildup of cholesterol, which can accumulate into plaques and travel through the bloodstream. Due to the accumulation of plaques, internal organs do not receive enough oxygen, and their normal functioning is disrupted;
• Weight gain is the most common symptom of postmenopause and can lead to the development of diabetes;
• Impaired hearing, vision, memory and other neurological diseases arise from a lack of estrogen. On this basis, Alzheimer's disease may begin to develop.

It should be noted that in women who were attentive to their health and led a correct lifestyle, menopause passes without serious consequences. Pronounced symptoms are observed in only 35% of women.

Early onset of menopause

If a woman stops menstruating at the age of 40, then we can talk about the early onset of menopause. If you experience premature menopause before age 40, it is caused by genetic predisposition and autoimmune diseases. Such cases are extremely rare and difficult to correct.

Reasons for early onset of menopause:

• gynecological operations of the ovaries, uterus, tubes and other pelvic organs;
• removal of the ovaries due to abdominal trauma or cancer;
• radiation therapy treatment. If a woman is exposed to radiation with a dose of 6 Gray or more, then irreversible damage to her ovaries will occur;
• treatment with chemotherapy drugs, which are prescribed for the diagnosis of cancer of various organs. Such drugs interfere with the growth of cells, including follicles;
• autoimmune diseases, when the body perceives certain organs as foreign and directs all its forces to block their work.

Often the reasons for the early onset of menopause are:

• poor nutrition;
• obesity;
• smoking, taking alcoholic beverages and drugs;
• frequent stress;
• lack of healthy sleep.

For many women, the causes of early menopause remain unclear.

At the first signs of menopause, you should immediately contact a gynecologist-endocrinologist, who will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary tests to determine the causes of the early onset of menopause. If the cause is hormonal imbalance, then it can be easily corrected with replacement therapy and prolong a woman’s reproductive age.

Normal hormone levels during postmenopause

There are no clear hormone levels that should be observed in a postmenopausal woman. There is an acute deficiency of estrogen - they are now produced only by the adrenal glands and pituitary gland in small quantities. Hormones of the estrogen group are distinguished by their interconversion; this occurs in an extraglandular way - in various tissues of the body. For example, estradiol is converted to estrone or vice versa. The main source of estrogen in a postmenopausal woman is adipose tissue, which previously accumulated these hormones.

Since during menopause the ovaries have no follicles at all, the growth of FSH and LH increases significantly. The level of follicle-stimulating hormone increases by 15–25 times, and luteinizing hormone by 3–5 times. The uneven increase in these hormones is explained by different periods of elimination from the body, as well as the lack of inhibin, a peptide that suppresses FSH activity. The maximum content of FSH and LH in a woman’s blood is observed in the first three years of menopause, then their amount gradually decreases.

Table of normal levels of some hormones in postmenopause, necessary so that menopausal symptoms are not pronounced:

The level of male sex hormones - androgens - decreases slightly, by about 15%, and in some cases an increase may be observed. In this case, the woman will show signs of hirsutism:

• male-type hair growth on the body and face;
• deepening of the voice;
• increased sweating;
• sleep disturbance.

This disease can only be combated with the help of hormonal drugs.

Treatment during postmenopause

If the answer to the question of what postmenopause is is received, then you should next understand ways to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of menopause.

There are several ways to improve the general condition of the body:

• non-hormonal drugs that help restore the nervous system. These include neurotropic drugs and antidepressants;
• taking vitamin complexes. Vitamins of group B, as well as C, E, D and calcium are especially necessary during this period;

• taking phytohormones - these are drugs based on plant extracts, they promote the synthesis of estrogens, for example, Feminal, Estrovel, Klimaktoplan, Klimadinon, Remens;

• hormonal therapy. Treatment of the consequences of menopause with the help of replacement therapy is individual, the regimen is prescribed by an endocrinologist. Most often, Dermestril, Ovestin, Klimara, Divina, Livial, Klimonorm are used for therapy.

To relieve the symptoms of postmenopause, there are many folk recipes based on taking decoctions of herbs such as:

• St. John's wort (for strong and frequent hot flashes);
• ginseng (for severe stress and emotional stress);
• licorice (to stimulate the production of your own estrogens);
• meadow clover (contains many phytoestrogens);
• sage (to normalize heart rate);
• Turnera (natural aphrodisiac).

To eliminate the main symptoms of menopause, you need to spend more time in the fresh air, sleep at night, and eat right. Should be included in the diet:

• flax seeds, sesame seeds - they are rich in phytoestrogens;
• broccoli;
• green beans;
• wheat;
• pistachios;
• dried dates.

Excessive physical activity, even sports, helps reduce estrogen levels, so they need to be reduced.

All women experience menopause sooner or later. Many people think that after their periods stop they will have to suffer from hot flashes and mood swings for the rest of their days. However, such unpleasant symptoms of menopause will not last forever. About a year after the cessation of the last menstruation, the so-called postmenopausal period will begin.

Symptoms of the postmenopausal period

In order to understand what postmenopause is in women, it is necessary to understand the main stages of the decline of reproductive function. There are three main stages of menopause:

Premenopause.

It begins immediately several years before the cessation of menstruation. During this time, estrogen production slowly decreases.

Menopause.

This stage lasts about a year after your period stops.

Postmenopause.

This period lasts until the end of a woman's life and begins approximately 12-15 months after the end of her last menstrual period.

In most cases, along with the onset of postmenopause, all the unpleasant symptoms of menopause gradually disappear. In rare cases, in the first 2-3 years after the start of the final stage, rare hot flashes may appear.

Possible symptoms of postmenopause:

Depression.

Most women get used to the idea of ​​approaching old age during menopause. Depression that has lasted for several years should be a reason to consult a psychotherapist.

An insufficient amount of natural lubricant will accompany a woman for the rest of her life. You can change the situation with the help of special water-soluble lubricants.

The cessation of menstruation does not always mean a complete cessation of discharge. Due to the thinning of the vaginal walls, a woman may notice droplets of blood after having sex. But if heavy bleeding develops, you need to seek medical help.

Size of ovaries, uterus and hormone levels during postmenopause

As for physical symptoms, with the onset of postmenopause there is a significant decrease in the size of the uterus and ovaries. Normally, the height of the uterus is 4-6 centimeters, width: 5-6 cm, and the thickness of the endometrium is 12-14 mm.

With the onset of menopause, the uterus will gradually shrink. Approximately 5-6 years after diagnosis of postmenopause, the height of the uterus will be 3 centimeters and width: 1.5-2 centimeters. The thickness of the endometrium will decrease to 5 mm.

Ovaries.

Also during postmenopause, there is a significant reduction in ovarian volume. During the reproductive period, the volume of healthy glands is 5.5-5.7 cm3. But after the ovarian reserve is depleted, the ovaries will shrink by about half. The size can be 2.5-3.5 cm3.

Hormonal background.

Since menopause itself is the result of a sharp change in hormonal levels, it is necessary to know the norms for the main hormones. Monthly ovulation and menstruation are directly dependent on the production of three main hormones (estradiol, estrone and estriol), which are collectively called estrogens.

The most significant of the estrogen trio is estradiol. In a healthy woman, the normal estradiol level is in the range: 68-1655 pmol/l (depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle). Along with the onset of postmenopause, the amount of this hormone does not exceed 70 pmol/l.

The amount of progesterone is also checked. During menopause, the rate is consistently low and does not exceed 0.6 nmol/l. It is a sharp decrease in progesterone that leads to muscle weakness.

Along with a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, the amount of testosterone also decreases (0.5-1.2 nmol/l). Low testosterone levels can cause decreased libido.

But the level of follicle-stimulating hormone, on the contrary, increases. Depending on how long postmenopause lasts, the values ​​will be in the range of 19 - 100 mIU/ml.

What diseases can be accompanied by postmenopause?

After the onset of menopause, the body weakens. Hormonal imbalance and the natural process of wear and tear of the body leads to the development of various diseases. Most often, women over 50 are diagnosed with:

Osteoporosis.

This disease weakens bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fractures.

Constant surges in pressure, provoked by hormonal changes at the initial stage of menopause, can lead to the development of chronic hypertension. If, as a result of hormonal imbalance, weight has also increased, then the woman may additionally begin to suffer from varicose veins.

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Chronic hypertension leads to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Neuroses.

Nervous breakdowns, prolonged depression.

Infections of the genitourinary system.

In any case, the transition to postmenopause does not mean that a woman will develop all of the above diseases.

How to support the body during postmenopause?

Postmenopause in women may not manifest itself in any way. However, to avoid complications, you must adhere to certain rules. Women who want to relieve or even eliminate uncomfortable postmenopausal symptoms have several treatment options available.

Firstly, you need to radically change your daily lifestyle. It is recommended to regularly engage in active sports, including running, race walking, tennis and swimming. These will help maintain muscle tone and normalize blood pressure.

Secondly, it is necessary to reconsider the diet. The menu should consist of foods rich in a full spectrum of vitamins and nutrients. During the postmenopausal period, it is important to consume foods with a high content of phytoestrogens, including:

• Soybean sprouts;
• Flax seeds;
• Wheat, oat and barley flakes;
• Nuts;
• Pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Following these recommendations will help avoid complications. If postmenopause is accompanied by rare hot flashes, then you can resort to traditional medicine. Women are recommended to drink (ginseng, angelica, black cohosh). You can make decoctions yourself, or buy ready-made dietary supplements.

The main disadvantage of the above herbs is that their use for too long leads to a decrease in the production of natural estrogen. Phytoestrogens only compensate for the lack of hormones, but do not in any way affect the restoration of ovarian functionality.

At the very beginning of postmenopause, it is better to use herbs that stimulate the body to produce its own estrogen (fennel, basil). These herbs are very easy to purchase and incorporate into your daily diet.

But if lifestyle changes and folk remedies have no effect on a woman’s body, then it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist to prescribe medications.

Based on the results of the hormonogram, the specialist will select the optimal amount of synthetic hormones. The duration of the course of hormone replacement therapy depends on the woman’s age.

If unpleasant symptoms of postmenopause appear in a patient who has reached 75 years of age, then the introduction of synthetic hormones may be inappropriate. This is due to the fact that hormone replacement therapy significantly increases the risk of developing cancer. The weakened body of an elderly woman simply will not be able to adequately respond to the introduction of hormones.

Why is it important to regularly visit a gynecologist even during postmenopause?

Despite the fact that postmenopause means a complete decline in reproductive function, you should not cancel visits to the gynecologist. Only a doctor will be able to identify and prevent any deviations in time. Postmenopausal women must be prescribed:

• Physical examination (twice a year);
• Taking smears (once a year);
• Mammography (once a year).

If osteoporosis is suspected, a bone density scan (densitometry) is prescribed.

If postmenopause has already been determined, then you need to prepare for the fact that no treatment will be able to resume menstruation. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing medical examinations will help improve the overall health of the genitourinary system.

Women are emotional by nature. Beauty and sexual attractiveness are of great importance to them. Understanding that aging is associated not only with external changes and the end of the childbearing period, but also with a deterioration in overall well-being, many believe that postmenopause is a tragedy. This opinion is wrong. Aging means only one thing: you need to pay more attention to yourself and your health than before. Don't relax. Sports, memory training, disease prevention and treatment, and appearance care will help you enjoy life for many more years.

Menstruation most often disappears between the ages of 45 and 52. Premenopause is a transitional period that prepares a woman’s body for the completion of reproductive function. There are fewer and fewer eggs left in the ovaries, and the production of female sex hormones deteriorates. Therefore, menstruation occurs irregularly, breaks of up to 2 months are possible, and then, on the contrary, the cycle is shortened to 18-20 days. Cycles without ovulation are increasingly appearing, so the chances of getting pregnant are decreasing.

Postmenopause is the period after the complete cessation of menstruation. If there are no periods within 1 year, then menopause has ended. The onset of postmenopause is determined retroactively, based on the day on which the last menstruation ended.

There are “early” and “late” postmenopause. The early one lasts 2-3 years from the beginning, then the late one begins, lasting for 10 years or more.

Physiological changes during postmenopause

During postmenopause, a hormonal shift occurs in the body: the level of estrogen and progesterone decreases, and the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increases. A decrease in the content of female sex hormones in the body leads to an increase in the level of male hormones (androgens). This can lead to the appearance of hair on a woman's body and face, and a deepening of her voice.

During this period, due to a lack of sex hormones, cyclic changes in the endometrium stop: its excretion and renewal. The onset of menstruation becomes impossible. The uterus and ovaries decrease in size. The production of mucus, which protects the internal genital organs from infection, is reduced.

Changes in the vagina appear: it prolapses, the composition of the microflora is disrupted. The lack of sufficient mucus leads to a feeling of dryness in it, which causes discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Due to a disturbance in the composition of the microflora, infection occurs not only in the reproductive system, but also in the bladder, and cystitis occurs more often. The muscle tone of the walls decreases. This leads to the fact that the bladder does not close tightly, and urine may leak out when coughing or straining.

Metabolism slows down, absorption of beneficial components from food deteriorates. Lack of vitamins and minerals during postmenopause causes deterioration in appearance, skin and bone diseases. Due to a lack of calcium and magnesium, tooth enamel is destroyed. Changes in figure and stoop appear.

Symptoms of postmenopause and the reasons for their occurrence

During postmenopause, some symptoms of menopause are smoothed out. For example, hot flashes and their manifestations (fever, sweating, chills) do not occur as often or even go away. However, during postmenopause, the following symptoms persist and may progress:

1. Osteoporosis is brittle bones due to a lack of calcium in the body.
2. Hair loss, graying, changes in the structure and shape of nails.
3. Dry skin is a consequence of insufficient collagen production and impaired blood supply. Wrinkles and dark spots appear, and skin elasticity decreases.
4. Lack of normal blood supply to organs due to decreased elasticity and thinning of the walls of blood vessels. Impaired cerebral circulation leads to deterioration of memory, vision and hearing, and loss of coordination of movements.
5. Development of cardiovascular diseases. Improper metabolism causes the formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels. The blood supply to the heart muscle deteriorates, and conditions such as cardiac ischemia, angina pectoris, and cardiac arrhythmias occur.
6. Neuropsychic disorders: irritability, insomnia, absent-mindedness, suspiciousness, anxiety-depressive state.
7. Indigestion, tendency to constipation.
8. The formation of warts, changes in the condition of moles, up to malignant degeneration.

The risk of tumor formation in the mammary glands and genital organs increases. The occurrence of any bleeding during this period is a dangerous sign. You should immediately consult a doctor, as bleeding may be a symptom of the formation of polyps or a tumor.

Colorless, odorless discharge is normal. If a color change occurs or an unpleasant odor appears, this is a sign of a fungal disease (thrush) or inflammation of the genital organs (colpitis, vaginitis, endometritis).

Note: Symptoms of health problems are more pronounced in women who smoke, as well as in women who are too thin or obese. Such conditions are usually associated with abnormalities in the thyroid gland and liver. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the occurrence of diseases.

Not all women experience disorders and abnormalities. The degree of their manifestation depends on genetic predisposition, lifestyle, previous diseases, the state of the immune system and nervous system, and age.

Video: Hormone tests during menopause

What examinations are done during postmenopause?

If a woman is not sure that she has reached postmenopause (with early menopause, for example, when there is doubt about the reason for the absence of menstruation), hormone tests are carried out: FSH (its level at the onset of menopause will be constantly high), estrogen (level low), male sex hormones, or androgens (high levels). Ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries determines the absence of follicles, as well as the condition of the endometrium.

If there are signs of deterioration in health, the following diagnostic methods are prescribed:

• a general blood test to determine the content of leukocytes (the presence of inflammatory processes), blood clotting (for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, liver);
• blood test for calcium, potassium and other elements;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity to study the condition of the pelvic organs;
• hysteroscopy – examination of the cavity and cervix, allowing to determine the presence of fibroids and tumors;
• mammography - detection of diseases of the mammary glands (every woman should undergo such examination periodically, since during the postmenopausal period the likelihood of breast cancer increases);
• cytological analysis of the mucous membrane of the cervix for the presence of atypical cells that can degenerate into cancer;
• osteodensitometry - analysis of bone tissue to determine the presence of osteoporosis.

Treatment for postmenopause

Most of the symptoms during postmenopause are a consequence of hormonal changes, decreased body resistance, and insufficient absorption of nutrients. Therefore, the goal of treatment during this period is, first of all, to restore the level of missing hormones or reduce the content of those that are present in excess. For this purpose, replacement therapy is used.

Treatment does not always begin with taking hormonal drugs. In some cases, especially during early postmenopause, so-called phytohormones help a woman. These are plant-based drugs containing substances that are similar in their action to real hormones. In any case, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, since uncontrolled use of hormones or hormone-like substances can lead to the progression or appearance of tumors of the mammary glands, genital organs, pituitary gland, as well as the development of cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, and heart attack. Treatment with hormones is contraindicated if a woman has estrogen-dependent tumors (that is, those growing under the influence of estrogen).

Before starting to use hormones, a blood test is done for coagulation, and the condition of the veins is studied. Treatment is not prescribed for thrombophlebitis and other vascular diseases. In addition to hormonal therapy, vitamins, heart medications, medications that regulate blood pressure, and sedatives are also prescribed.

Video: What drugs are used for menopause

Prevention of complications in the presence of postmenopausal symptoms

Every six months it is necessary to undergo gynecological examinations, do a mammogram, and an ultrasound of the genital organs. Frequent self-examination of the breast will help to detect nodules, changes in the size of the glands, their color, the shape of the nipples, and consult a doctor in time.

You should adhere to a diet: limit the consumption of fatty, sweet, salty, spicy foods, strong coffee, alcoholic beverages, eat more dairy foods containing calcium. It is necessary to monitor the level of cholesterol in the blood and undergo tests periodically.

Advice: To eliminate the lack of vitamins and minerals, you can use vitamin-mineral complex preparations. They must be taken at the indicated dose, without exceeding it, as this is not always safe. For example, with an excess of vitamin A (useful for hemorrhoids, vascular and skin diseases), symptoms of poisoning may appear: itching, swelling. Excessive amounts of magnesium cause calcium to be displaced from the bones.

It is recommended to quit smoking, spend more time outdoors, walk, do physical exercises to strengthen muscles, and train ligaments. The main condition for maintaining vigor and health during the postmenopausal period is the awareness that there is nothing unusual or frightening in this condition. Ailments can occur at any age. It's just that older people have to spend a little more effort to overcome them. Activity, the desire to help your adult children, and mutual affection for your grandchildren are an incentive to keep your body in shape.

Video: Products beneficial for women over 50

Time is fleeting, and yesterday’s schoolgirl, bride and mother of grown-up children notices that her body does not work the same way as before. It is impossible to say exactly when the functions of the ovaries will begin to fade.

It takes place in several stages, each of which has its own characteristics. The final phase of menopause is postmenopause. What is postmenopause, when does it occur, how long does it last, what symptoms does it cause and how to improve well-being every woman should know.

Postmenopause is a long period after complete completion. It is impossible to name the exact age for the onset of the postmenopausal stage, because each woman’s body is individual. The onset of menopause and the rate of decline of reproductive function are influenced by heredity, previous diseases, the state of the immune system, age and lifestyle.

Postmenopause in women does not come suddenly.

There are specific stages of development in every woman's life.

This phase is the last stage of menopause.

There are 3 stages of menopause:

• premenopause;
• menopause;
• postmenopause.

For most women it comes after 40 years. This period is a preparatory stage for the completion of reproductive function.

The ovaries produce fewer and fewer eggs, and the production of sex hormones decreases. Your periods continue but become irregular. Increasingly, women's cycles pass without ovulation, which means that the chances of getting pregnant are reduced.

– when compared with other periods of menopause, this stage is the shortest. Characterized by the period of the last menstruation. The onset of menopause is indicated by the absence of menstruation for more than a year.

– the last stage of menopause, in which menstruation is completely absent. In most cases it comes after 55 years. The ovaries stop functioning, and there is an acute deficiency of hormones. This period can be early or late. The early stage lasts 2-3 years, after which late postmenopause occurs, lasting 10 years or more.

Menopause and postmenopause are a new phase in a woman’s life that will inevitably come, and the female body must be prepared for it. In order to properly prepare for this period, you need to know what changes will occur in a woman’s body at this time.

Timely recognition of menopause will help you adjust your lifestyle, diet, and select treatment to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

What changes occur in the female body?

Menopause is not a disease.

Having understood the question of what postmenopause is, it is necessary to find out what happens in the female body at this time. During postmenopause, hormonal disturbances occur in a woman's body: the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases, and the production of follicle-stimulating hormone increases.

During postmenopause, it is not excreted or renewed, which means that the onset of menstruation is impossible. The uterus and ovaries become smaller, and mucus production decreases.

During the postmenopausal period, a woman's vagina descends and the composition of the microflora changes. Changes in the composition of microflora lead to infections in the reproductive system and bladder. As a result, a woman more often suffers from cystitis. Decreased muscle tone can lead to urinary incontinence when coughing or straining.

Expert opinion

Alexandra Yurievna

General practitioner, associate professor, teacher of obstetrics, work experience 11 years.

Menopause helps slow down metabolism and the absorption of beneficial elements from food. Due to a deficiency of vitamins, a woman’s appearance deteriorates, as well as skin diseases and rashes.

Symptoms of the final period of menopause

The beginning of the postmenopausal period can be established no earlier than 12 months after the end of menstruation.

In addition to the absence of menstruation, there are other symptoms of postmenopause:

• brittle bones;
• hair loss;
• dryness and decreased elasticity of the skin, the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots;
• overweight;
• deterioration of memory, vision and hearing;
• possible development of cardiovascular diseases;
• the woman becomes irritable, absent-minded, suspicious, and is often bothered by insomnia;
• Digestion is disturbed, constipation occurs;
• age spots appear and moles change.

Postmenopause entails many changes in the female body, which are caused by a constantly decreasing level. During this period, the risk of tumors in the breasts and genitals increases.

The appearance of menstruation may indicate polyps or tumor formations. Therefore, if you have your period during this transition period, visit your doctor immediately.

During the postmenopausal period, the norm is colorless discharge in small quantities that is odorless. If the discharge has changed color or smells unpleasant, this means that the woman has thrush or an inflammatory process in the genitals.

Important! In women who smoke, who are too thin or too fat, the symptoms of deteriorating health are more pronounced. A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the occurrence of diseases.

It is impossible to get rid of all the unpleasant signs of postmenopause, but inaction can cause the development of many diseases. It will not be superfluous to visit a doctor to find out your current health status and select suitable medications to alleviate the condition.

Diagnosis of the last period of menopause

The reproductive system in women is complex. Not every woman, knowing the individual characteristics of her body, and having reached the appropriate age, understands what is happening to her.

The stage of life in which ovarian activity declines is quite long. Therefore, in order to confirm the naturalness of the process and exclude pathology, it is necessary to diagnose postmenopause.

About uterine bleeding.

If a woman has not had menstruation for more than a year, she needs to:

• get tested for follicle-stimulating hormone - it is elevated during postmenopause;
• get tested for estradiol - it will be low;
• take a test for male sex hormones - their level in the blood will increase;
• undergo an ultrasound of the pelvic organs - the study will confirm the absence of follicles.

By passing tests and performing an ultrasound examination, the doctor will be able to confirm the onset of the last period of menopause.

If there are signs of deterioration in health, as well as in order to assess what damage has already been done to the body, the attending physician may additionally prescribe:

• general blood analysis;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
• endoscopic examination of the uterine cavity;
• non-invasive examination of the mammary glands;
• cytological examination of the cervical mucosa;
• osteodensitometry.

Is it possible to get pregnant after menopause?

Complaint statistics.

It is difficult to say at what age a woman will no longer be able to get pregnant. Many cases have been described around the world where women, despite early symptoms of menopause, over 55 years of age naturally became mothers. Even more women of this age became pregnant after hormonal activation of the ovaries.

Even after the cessation of menstruation, a woman’s ovaries can form follicles within 2-3 years, so the possibility of pregnancy remains. Unfortunately, there are often cases when 45-50-year-old women, having consulted a specialist about a long absence of menstruation, are surprised when the doctor informs them about pregnancy.

Most women by this age already have adult children, so very often such pregnancies end in abortion. To avoid ending up in a similar situation, it is necessary to use protection for several years after the cessation of menstruation.

Optimal protection during postmenopause is hormonal contraception. It also provides prevention of diseases that can develop due to a decrease in the level of sex hormones in the blood.

Treatment during the final stage of menopause

Most of the signs of postmenopause are the result of hormonal changes in a woman’s body. The main goal of treatment during this period is to stabilize hormone levels. The attending physician does not always prescribe treatment with hormonal drugs. In some cases, phytohormones help alleviate a woman’s condition. These products are based on plant extracts that stimulate the production of estrogen.

A woman should adhere to the recommendations of doctors, since uncontrolled use of hormonal or hormone-like drugs can provoke the development of cancer or cardiovascular diseases. In addition to hormonal treatment, vitamins, calcium, cardiac and sedative medications are also prescribed.

You can also alleviate the condition with the help of folk recipes, which are based on taking decoctions of St. John's wort, ginseng, licorice, meadow clover and sage. To eliminate the unpleasant signs of menopause, you should spend more time in the fresh air and eat right.

Prevention of complications during postmenopause

After the decline of reproductive function, there is no need to give up on yourself and think that life has already passed. During the last phase of menopause, women often develop diseases of the cardiovascular system, tumors and osteoporosis. This can lead to disability or early death.

You should limit the consumption of pork, carbohydrate foods, sugar, salt, smoked, spicy, strong coffee and alcohol. During postmenopause, it is useful to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products, cereals, broccoli, legumes, soy, pistachios and dates.

To avoid complications during postmenopause, it is recommended:

1. Measure blood pressure in the morning and evening.
2. Visit a gynecologist twice a year, have a mammogram and undergo an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.
3. Check your blood cholesterol levels regularly.
4. Avoid strict diets and take vitamins.
5. To refuse from bad habits.
6. Stay outdoors more.
7. Do light exercise.

The sooner a woman starts leading a healthy lifestyle, the less likely she is to have health problems.

Summarize

Every woman learns what postmenopause is at a certain time. There is no need to be afraid of this new phase of life and think that it will last forever. This is not old age, but only a new stage in life. It is necessary to understand that all changes occurring in the body are a natural development of the female reproductive system.

Every woman needs to understand that her health must be protected long before the onset of postmenopause. Ailments can appear at any age, but over the years you need to spend more energy to overcome them.

In order not to encounter diseases, you should improve your lifestyle, give up bad habits, and also regularly undergo tests and examinations. How often do you visit doctors and get tested?