Menopause is a natural biological process, not a medical illness. Although it's associated with hormonal, physical and psychosocial changes in your life, menopause isn't the end of your youth or your sexuality. Several generations ago, few women lived beyond menopause. Today, you may spend as much as half of your life after menopause. You may think of menopause as the time when your menstrual periods stop permanently. But doctors define menopause as the time after 12 months have passed since your last period. Although your mother or grandmother may have called menopause the change, it isn't a single event. Instead, it's a series of changes that can start in your 30s or 40s and last into your 50s or even 60s.

Fortunately, much more is known about menopause now than was known when your mother and grandmother experienced it. You can do more to relieve bothersome symptoms, avoid complications and improve your health and vigor during this important phase of your life.  

Menopausal Syndrome progress

Menopause, is a normal consequence of the ageing process. 
Ovaries gradually become less active and produce smaller amounts 
of estrogen and progesterone. More then 8 in 10 women experience mild problems or none at all, but some women have severe symptoms. 

Symptoms of Menopausal Syndrome

• The symptoms are

• Hot flushes: head, chest, and arms become red and feel hot, lasting from a couple of minutes to as long as an hour.

• Heavy sweating,.

• Feelings of anxiety, panic, or depression

• Drying and wrinkling of the skin.

• Vaginal dryness and discomfort 

• Urinary stress incontinence

• Cystitis like symptoms 

• Insomnia

• Irritability

• Memory loss.

Related signs

 The related signs are

• Vaginal atrophy.

• Osteoporosis 

Investigations

The tests conducted are

• FSH levels

• Estradiol levels

• LH levels

• Endometrial biopsy 

Treatment measures

Generally followed measures are 

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the form of pills, implants under the skin and skin patches. 

• Estrogen creams

• Combination therapy

• Calcium tablets

• Symptomatic treatment 

Follow-up of Menopausal Syndrome

 Follow-up is especially recommended for people on HRT.

• Regular check on BP

• Regular clinical breast examination

• Regular mammograms. 

• Endometrial biopsy in case of abnormal bleeding.

Important things one should know about Menopausal Syndrome

One needs to follow a regular weight bearing exercise regime and regular breast self-examination, especially, patients on HRT. 

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