Category: Menopause

Irregular menstruation basically refers to menstrual cycles that aren’t considered ‘normal’. This means that your menstrual cycles can either be longer or shorter than usual, heavier or lighter than usual, or spaced more time apart or less time apart. They are also usually considered the very first signs that menopause is almost upon you.

Although seen as a menopausal symptom, irregular menstruation is actually a part of perimenopause, which occurs a few years before menopause itself. Still, because some women have a few years of irregular menstruation to look forward to before the actual dreaded phase, it would help to know what can be expected when this happens. Read on.

How Does Menopause Affect Menstruation?

Irregular menstruation during menopause happens because of the drop in female hormone levels, including progesterone and estrogen. As they drop, the pituitary glands will then send out more hormones to stimulate the follicles. However, as the hormone levels try to balance out, menstruation can start going all over the place.

Heavy And Watery Menstruation During Menopause

Progesterone and estrogen happen to be in charge of uterus lining regulation. Since the uterus will shed its lining every month during the female menstrual cycle, the uterus lining will get thicker and result in more bleeding when the hormone levels go out of line. This can go on for up to six years before complete menstrual cessation.

One menopausal symptom that women usually find disturbing is watery menstruation. This usually happens to women who go through heavier menstrual cycles. Fortunately, watery menstruation isn’t something to worry about unless it comes with abdominal pain.

Frequent And Missing Menstruation During Menopause

It is quite common for women to skip periods completely during menopause. In fact, this could happen for a few months straight, though some women will only experience it every other month. Conversely, there are also women who experience more frequent menstrual cycles during this stage. It really just depends the individual.

Shorter Or Longer Menstrual Cycles During Menopause

A lot of women also experience longer menstrual cycles with minimal flow that last for three weeks. Other women have it much easier and end up with menstrual cycles that only last a couple of days.

How To Treat Irregular Menstruation During Menopause

One easy way to keep your menstrual cycle in check would be to ensure that you get enough magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins in your daily diet. These nutrients happen to be great at regulating menstruation. If you would prefer to try out herbs, though, chasteberry tree and black cohosh would be the best choices for you. You can also take natural estrogen sources into consideration like estrogenic foods or natural supplements. A lot of women actually turn to these supplements nowadays because they are completely safe and don’t come with any side effects.

In general, irregular menstruation is just another annoying part of menopause. However, you can keep your mind at ease because it will pass in a couple of years and is definitely nothing to worry about.

There are many women who suffer from a common misconception that they are having abnormal periods, even though they actually have a normal monthly cycle. There are many reasons why women may think this and it is typically not their fault as they are generally not fully aware of what a normal period is. When it comes to the question of your menstrual cycle, whether it is normal or not, there are many women who find this question difficult to answer. The following are some helpful points that will help you learn whether your period is normal or not:

– If you see blood clots you should not panic. These clots are actually the clots of tissue in your menstruation. It is a quite common occurrence and there is also no cause for alarm as these blood clots are generally caused by the shredding of the lining of the uterus.

– Normal menstrual bleeding lasts around 5 days, but can be as little as 3 days and as much as 8 days.

– If you are actively involved in sports and other activities you may often skip your periods. This again is a very normal phenomenon and you do not need to worry if it occurs.

– Menstrual cramps are normal and they can range from mild to severe. There are some women who do not experience menstrual cramps at all. If you experience painful and severe menstrual cramps or unusual cramping from your normal period, you should consult a doctor.

The above symptoms indicate that you have a normal period. With the following symptoms, you should consult with a doctor, preferably a gynecologist to make sure there is not a problem:

– If you are a female under eleven or in the post menopausal state you should consult your doctor if you face vaginal bleeding.

– If menstrual bleeding exceeds over 8 days you should consult your doctor.

– If you are over 16 and have not yet experienced your first period yet, you should consult your doctor. There is a possibility that you are suffering a syndrome called polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS.

– You need to change sanitary napkins or pads every one to two hours, this is quite a lot of flow and should be checked out.

– You experience heavy bleeding than normal. If its different than your previous periods, then have it checked out, just in case.

– You get bouts of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, bloodshot eyes, muscle aches or other unusual symptoms during your periods.

Changing hormone levels in the female reproductive system is the real cause of the irritating menopause symptoms. 70% of women have to take care of these symptoms while getting close to menopause. In many instances, menopause symptoms begin to appear during pre-menopause stage or at around the age of 40. The symptoms progressively get more extreme as a woman gets closer to menopause.

Here are some of the common menopause symptoms:ms:

1. Hot and cold flashes – These are surprising attacks of heat or warmth which can cause redness on face and upper body.

2. Night sweating – So called as it is generally encountered through the night where one perspires to a great extent while asleep.

3. Vaginal dryness – Another symptom connected with menopause causing deterioration of genitals which makes it rough and thin. This kind of symptom could also make genital area susceptible to yeast and bacterial infections.

4. Irregular menstrual cycle – A typical symptom of menopause in which one has very quick period of bleeding and could have significant bleeding on another cycle. There are also periods where a woman doesn’t have any bleeding on date.

5. Mood swings – Temporary mood changes that are quite evident as a woman draws near menopause therefore making the behaviour of a female really unpredictable.

Some other symptoms incorporate hair loss, loss of concentration, memory lapses, fatigue, dizziness, weight gain, and brittle nails. These signs and symptoms can happen to anyone and of many health concerns yet are also experienced by women on menopausal stage. Severe headaches, breast pain or softness, aching joints and change in body color are also menopause related symptoms which have been not clearly evident unless of course accompanied by various other symptoms.

There are a lot of menopause symptoms that differ from one woman to the other. Sadly, many women tolerate these symptoms acidly being not completely knowledgeable that there happen to be natural remedies which could control and make these symptoms acceptable without any unwanted effect. Addition of soybeans and isoflavones on your diet could be beneficial in minimizing several symptoms of menopause. The soy proteins give estrogen to the body which gets scarce when a woman approaches menopause. Furthermore, chaste berry can regulate mood swings and breast pain because it prevents prolactin hormone in the body.

You may also wish to take into account a natural menopause treatment which can truly minimize the impact of pain and soreness. A couple of clicks on your mouse provide you wonderful health breakthroughs that may alleviate menopause symptoms.

Becoming Aware Of Menopause Symptoms

James Shortridge is a medical professional. He is committed to provide helpful information about natural menopause treatments and natural ways to ease menopause symptoms. He agrees that understanding menopause will enable every woman to enjoy a comfortable life.

For years, many have dismissed the changes that middle-aged men experience both mentally and physically and simply attributed them to mid-life crises. However, we now know these changes are more than just circumstance or because of other extraneous factors, but instead, are largely due to an inevitable decline in male hormones, resulting in andropause, the male equivalent of menopause.

Unfortunately, andropause is often misdiagnosed, or never treated or addressed at all due to the vagueness and wide variety of its symptoms. During the middle-age or mid-life years, most men are settled, have established themselves and have reached a point of stability that instead of being comforting, may cause some to question choices theyve made, reevaluating their lives and accomplishments.

This mid-way point through ones life also causes many to think about an end to their youth, growing older, retirement, and their own mortality. Also, during this period of time, parents are aging, or needing our care at the same time our children are growing up and leaving the nest. All of these events and situations that are seemingly causing classic signs of mid-life crisis may actually be directly related to a decrease in hormones such as androgen and testosterone.

Unlike their female counterparts, men are able to reproduce well past andropause, although sperm quality and production may still be seriously affected. Testosterone, necessary for the production of healthy sperm, usually begins to naturally diminish after a man reaches the age of 40.

Symptoms of andropause may surface as early as the mid 30s, or in some men, as late as their 60s, but are most common during the 40s and 50s, and include the following:

– Difficulties with memory, alertness or concentration.

– Decreased muscle tone, weight gain, and an increase in body fat.

– Changes in urinary function or habits.

– Lack of energy or strength, decreased desire for physical activity.

– Mild to moderate depression and or irritability.

– A diminished sex drive coupled with a decrease in sexual function or ability.

– Changes in hair growth or loss, as well as noticeable changes in skin quality.

– Hot flashes, similar to those experienced by females during menopause.

Treatment for andropause may involve the use of hormone replacement therapy, known as HRT, for men who are experiencing more severe symptoms of the condition. HRT may be useful for improving mood, relieving depression, increasing energy, and reducing anger or irritability. Many men who have received hormone replacement therapy including testosterone also report an increase in their libido as well as a decrease in insomnia or sleep problems.

For most men, a holistic or natural approach such as lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are usually all that is necessary to control symptoms of andropause. Experts recommend a diet rich with fiber, vitamins and minerals, particularly C, D, E, and zinc, which can be found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, or through supplements.

These small changes not only help to reduce signs of andropause, but also offer many physical benefits for the body in general. A regular exercise program, at least three times per week, helps to reduce stress, increase heart rate and blood circulation, and also boosts the bodys natural immune system.

Male menopause may sound like a gimmick, but it exists. Named Andropause, it is caused by a decrease in testosterone levels in men, just like menopause is caused by a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels in women.

Andropause (male menopause) and menopause are both caused by a drop in hormone levels, and both affect men and women in their 40s and 50s. However, men may start experiencing the symptoms of andropause in their late 20s, when testosterone levels begin to decline. In contrast, menopause symptoms usually start in women in the early to mid-forties and menopause occurs when women stop menstruating, which occurs when women are around 51 years old.

Men and women experience many of the same symptoms during andropause and menopause, although the symptoms of andropause are generally much less intense and less noticeable. The symptoms shared among men and women are listed below.

Symptoms Common in Both Andropause and Menopause:
– Hot flashes–a sudden sensation of intense heat
– Decreased sex drive
– Depression
– Fatigue
– Memory problems
– Muscle and joint aches
– Mood swings

How Estrogen Levels Affect Andropause:
Like menopause, andropause is related to estrogen levels. While menopause is caused by a decrease in estrogen levels in women, men may experience an increase in estrogen levels during andropause.

Maintaining a healthy balance of estrogen is important in men. Small quantities of estrogen helps improve brain function, protect the heart, maintain strong bones, and increase male sex drive. However, men may experience a spike in estrogen levels during andropause, causing negative side effects.

For example, high estrogen levels can reduce sex drive and cause fatigue, loss of muscle tone, and increased body fat (especially around the middle). Excess estrogen can also reduce levels of testosterone, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. To prevent testosterone from converting to estrogen, some men are treated with an estrogen blocker.

Andropause Affects Men in Less Noticeable Ways:
Andropause can affect the way men feel about themselves on a daily basis. Men with andropause have reported feeling more irritable and depressed, less motivated, and more fatigued.

In the past, people have attributed male menopause symptoms to the midlife crisis, depression, or aging, but low testosterone levels can affect a mans mood and his sense of well-being. Low testosterone levels can also decrease energy levels and cause insomnia.

The symptoms of andropause vary from man to man, and many of the symptoms may go unnoticed for years. To help you identify andropause, the most common symptoms of andropause are listed below:

Symptoms of Andropause:
– Body fat gain, particularly abdominal weight gain
– Decrease sex drive and inability to achieve or maintain an erection
– Reduced motivation (depression)
– Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
– Poor sleep quality or insomnia

Next Steps:
Now that you better understand male menopause (andropause), it is your responsibility to raise awareness. The next time you hear about andropause in conversation, remember the information youve just learned. Most importantly, if you think you have the male andropause symptoms, take action. Contact professionals that specialize in low testosterone treatment as a method of treating andropause. The sooner you speak with a physician and get checked for low testosterone levels, the sooner you can begin feeling like yourself again.