Menopause…is it a blessing or a curse? Depending on one’s perspective, menopause can be viewed as a negative consequence of life or a positive aspect before death.
I know what you’re thinking,…what the hell does that morbid sh#t mean?
First of all, unless you are between the ages of 40-60, you are more than likely not experiencing the menopause dilemma.
Secondly, this particular stage of life is just another biological part of human life. So, if you were a natural female at birth this will be a life event you must be prepared for.
Now that we got that sh#t out of the way, let’s take a look at what menopause is and what it means for the women that will sooner or later experience its symptoms.
What Is Menopause…Is It A Blessing or A Curse
In a nutshell, menopause is the permanent cessation of one’s menstrual cycles, which means no more menstrual cramps or regular visits from aunt Flo.
The caveat to this is that conception will no longer be a possibility. So, if you’re planning on having a big family you may want to gain a good understanding of the menstrual cycle and the three stages of menopause.
The Menstrual Cycle & Ovulation
Whether it was God or the universe that created humans, the female species has to be one of the most intricate organisms on this planet. One of the most significant features of a woman that makes them intricate is the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle is the epitome of intricate, and its importance cannot be overstated. It lays the foundations of understanding a woman’s health as well as being the cornerstone of planning parenthood.
The task of conception is not as easy as most people think. Some women get pregnant without much planning at all, but the ovulation window is only open for about 10 days during the menstrual cycle. This means that couples should become well acquainted with the menstrual cycle and the ovulation windows to improve their chances of conception.
Three Stages of Menopause…Is It A Blessing or A Curse
The menstrual cycles ovulation windows are greatly affected by the natural occurrence of menopause. However, menopause is divided into three stages. The first stage is referred to as peri-menopause. During this stage, the ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, which hinders the production of mature eggs that can be fertilized. The symptoms of peri-menopause may vary from woman-to-woman, but physical and emotional changes usually occur due to changes in hormones. Nevertheless, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Night sweats – (Getting extremely hot at night while sleeping)
- Mood changes – (Unexplained sadness, irritability and/or depression)
- Hot flashes – (Sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body)
- Vaginal dryness – (A decrease of natural vaginal lubrication that may cause pain)
- Joint & Muscle aches – (The loss of estrogen can affect joints and connective tissues)
- Trouble sleeping – (This one speaks for itself)
The second stage is when menopause actually occurs. The menstrual cycle ends during this stage and the ovulation windows close forever. Thus, natural pregnancy is no longer a feasible option for building that huge family.
The symptoms of menopause are the same as peri-menopause. However, some women may experience an increase or decrease in the symptoms.
The third stage, post menopause, is when a woman has not had a menstrual period for more than 12 consecutive months. The symptoms of menopause usually decrease at this point, but during this stage women are at increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Treatments for Menopause
Menopause itself does not require medical treatment, but there are treatments for specific symptoms of menopause such as:
- Hormone therapy – proven to be an effective method to help replace the loss of estrogen. However, it also raises certain health risk such as heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.
- Vaginal estrogen – an at-home treatment; estrogen creams are applied directly inside of the vagina with an applicator. It is considered a very effective method to alleviate vaginal dryness, but can raise the risk of certain cancers.
- Low-dose antidepressants – helps mood swings and irrational thinking.
- Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis – used to help reduce bone loss or risk of fractures.
What is the best option for me:
Treating menopause symptoms is not a one-size fits all solution. Therefore, when trying to decide which treatment is best, one should always take into consideration family and medical history.
This is why it is important to consult your OBGYN doctor to make a well informed decision on which treatment is best for you. Nevertheless, always ensure to visit your doctor at least once a year to discuss any problems that may occur or changes that you may want to make to your treatment plan.
