From the onset of menstruation, excluding pregnancy, women will experience menstruation for up to forty years. As their bodies age, women will enter menopause, which will cause a series of physiological and psychological problems.
01
What is the normal age for menopause?
Menopause is the period when a woman stops menstruating. Menopause is divided into natural menopause and artificial menopause . Natural menopause is caused by the decline of ovarian function, which leads to the depletion of follicles in the ovaries. When the level of estrogen secreted decreases, it can no longer cause the endometrium to proliferate and shed, resulting in bleeding. Artificial menopause is caused by certain diseases that damage ovarian function, resulting in the inability to menstruate normally.
Normally, women experience menopause around age 50. However, the timing can vary depending on individual circumstances, but it generally falls between 45 and 55 years old . If menopause occurs before age 40, it's crucial to consult a doctor as soon as possible, as it may be due to premature ovarian failure. If menopause occurs after age 55, it indicates abnormal hormone levels, which could be caused by conditions such as breast disease or endometrial cancer.
02
What changes occur in a woman's body before and after menopause?
Before and after menopause, a woman's internal environment undergoes certain changes, which naturally lead to some unusual physical symptoms.
1. Changes in menstrual cycle . Before menopause, some women experience longer intervals between menstrual periods, while others fall between menopause and normal menstrual cycles, and still others experience short cycles and frequent menstruation.
2. Abnormal menstrual symptoms . Changes in the color and amount of menstrual flow can occur around menopause. Some women experience lighter, pinkish menstrual blood, while others have darker blood with small clots; some experience reduced menstrual flow, while others experience increased flow or even heavy bleeding.
3. Facial flushing and heat . Due to hormonal changes, some people may experience obvious symptoms of vasodilation, redness, and sweating, accompanied by dizziness, vertigo, and flushing, but these symptoms are generally limited to the face and neck.
03
Can postmenopausal women have sex?
Menopause brings more than just symptoms; some people also worry that they will be unable to have sex after menopause.
Although the ovaries and uterus shrink after menopause, and libido may decrease, intercourse is still possible. However, intercourse after menopause may cause discomfort, such as significant pain or dryness. The husband should be understanding and can engage in more foreplay to promote lubrication; lubricants can also be used as an aid.
04
How can women navigate menopause comfortably?
Menopause brings many changes. To navigate it smoothly, it's essential to first adjust your mindset , pay attention to your own changes, maintain a positive mood, and actively participate in physical exercise. Secondly, it's important to manage insomnia , as menopausal women are prone to headaches and insomnia; therefore, it's crucial to maintain a regular sleep schedule and relax as much as possible. Finally, if symptoms are severe, hormone therapy under a doctor's guidance can help improve menopausal symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Menopause is an important period for women, and many women even experience psychological problems. Therefore, it is important to take care of yourself before menopause and seek the love and support of your family in order to get through menopause smoothly.
References:
[1] Lü Bin. When is menopause considered normal for women? [J]. Family Health: Medical Science Popularization, 2017: 44-44.
[2] Qi Yanhong, Wen Youfeng. Analysis of body shape changes and related factors in women before and after menopause [J]. Journal of Anatomy, 2017
