What is menopause?
Despite the differences regarding the definition of the various stages of menopause, here we establish the concepts that are currently being accepted in the medical environment.
Menopause is the last date of menstruation. Classic definition of menopause sets “date” of the last menstrual period. Only after after 1 year from this rule, we can ensure that women have menopause.
Elimination permanent cessation of menstruation reflects ovarian function and may be due to:
1. A physiological depletion of ovarian follicles, producing a natural menopause.
2. Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy or ovariectomy), with or without removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), the so-called “surgical menopause”.
3. Complete abolition of ovarian function through the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy to the pelvic area, which leads to a “chemical menopause” or “iatrogenic”.
When the ovaries stop working, there is a significant lack of sex hormones (estrogens, progestogens and androgens), because it is primarily produced by or
some, and the end of her reproductive capacity.
However, both in the medical environment as well as women, have perpetuated the use of the term “menopause” to name the “period” of life, in which a woman stops menstruating permanently. Even this period he should be called “historic”.
What is called the climacteric?
Climacteric is the transition in the lives of women, which, among others, menopause occurs, and this is the last date of menstruation.
In general, menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years, average age about 50 years. In Spain, according to a recent survey, the average age of menopause is 48 years old.
Menopausal age may be affected by certain factors. Genes are undeniable importance, because it has been observed that women tend to have menopause at the same age as their mothers.
In addition, smokers, including ex-smokers, often have menopause at a younger age than non-smokers, while female menopause is usually delayed in pill users
Early and late postmenopausal
When menopause occurs before the age of 40 years is called “premature menopause. Conversely, when a woman has a menstrual cycle until the age of 55 years, is believed to delay the menopause will be a” late menopause “.
Early menopause, both natural and surgical need hormone replacement therapy, effective immediately, because the symptoms can be quite significant and the consequences, especially long-term, dramatic.
The woman who was ordered after 55 years, we need strict monitoring of the uterus and breast, by a gynecologist, because there is increased risk that these bodies may arise because certain diseases prolonged estrogen stimulation.
However, in return, these women benefit from the positive effects of estrogen on their own for longer and so did the prevention of certain diseases naturally with an increased risk associated with estrogen hormone deficiency states.