Symptoms and causes of menopause | Is menopause early in your 40s? Characteristics of women prone to menopause

Recently, there are many people who are not feeling well, and some people may be worried that this is menopause. As women approach their late 40s, more and more women are suffering from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, stiff shoulders, headaches, and irritability.

So this time we will introduce you to the symptoms and causes of menopause, how to relieve symptoms, and how to improve them. If you want to know if you are in menopause or if you want to know the symptoms of menopause, please refer to it.

Find out in this article

• Specific symptoms and causes of menopause
• menopausal age
• How to relieve and improve symptoms of menopause

What is menopause

Menopause refers to the five-year period before and after menopause. Generally, menopause occurs around the age of 50, so menopause occurs between the late 40s and early 50s . Menopause is a time when female hormones drop sharply, and many women experience various physical and mental disorders.

In general, the late 40s to early 50s is said to be menopause, but there are individual differences in the timing of menopause. In order to determine whether menopause has occurred, we will explain in detail the signs of the beginning of menopause later, so please refer to it.

specific symptoms of menopause

Menopause is accompanied by a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. These are called menopausal symptoms, and the main menopausal disorders are hot flashes, sweating, irritation, headaches, stiff shoulders, easy fatigue, and back pain . Symptoms vary widely from person to person, and severe symptoms can interfere with daily life.

Also, menopause is not only the symptoms of menopause, but it is also the time when gynecological diseases and lifestyle-related diseases increase. If you have severe symptoms, please consult a gynecologist because there is a possibility that an unexpected disease is hidden.

causes of menopause

The main cause of menopausal symptoms is the rapid decline of the female hormone (estrogen). During menopause, ovarian function declines due to aging, and female hormones decrease. A decrease in female hormones disrupts the hormone balance, and various physical and mental symptoms appear .

However, the decrease in female hormones is not the only cause of menopausal symptoms. Age, personality, work and home environment are all considered to be factors in menopausal symptoms. Menopausal symptoms occur due to the combination of these various factors, so it is said that there are individual differences in the type and intensity of symptoms.

menopausal age

Menopause usually occurs in the late 40s to early 50s. Also, although it is not a medically defined period, the period around the age of 35 is called pre-menopause. There are individual differences in the time when menopause begins, and some people start to experience physical and mental symptoms from pre-menopause .

What are the characteristics of women who are prone to menopause?

There are women who go through menopause early due to certain diseases, but do women who go through menopause early have anything in common? There seems to be no particular reason for this.

However, menopausal menopause tends to occur early in people who take cancer treatments such as anticancer drugs and radiation, who smoke, and who have low anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), which indicates the number of remaining eggs .

Is it possible to delay menopause?

Unfortunately, we do not yet know how to significantly delay menopause. However, lifestyle changes are thought to be the cause of premature menopause. Therefore, you may be able to delay menopause by leading a well-balanced diet, going to bed early, and avoiding smoking and alcohol.

In addition, data from overseas studies has been published that menopause was delayed in women who ate a lot of fish and legumes. In addition, higher intakes of vitamin B6 and zinc have also been linked to late menopause (1).

Are there signs of the onset of menopause?

A sign of the onset of menopause is irregular menstruation. When the number of female hormones decreases, the following symptoms appear.

• shorter or longer menstrual periods
• irregular menstrual cycle
• less or more menstrual flow

When these symptoms of menstrual disturbance appear, it is a sign that menopause begins . After menopause, you will begin to experience various menopausal symptoms.

Anyone can experience irregular menstruation as they age, but if you have irregular bleeding or other abnormalities, there is a possibility that another disease is hidden, so it is recommended that you see a gynecologist immediately.

Read the following articles together
When does pre-menopause start?

How to relieve and improve menopausal symptoms

The symptoms of menopause can be alleviated by changing lifestyle habits and using herbal medicines . So, here are some ways to relieve and improve the symptoms of menopause. If you are suffering from menopausal symptoms, please refer to it.

Change your lifestyle to live a healthy life both physically and mentally

Unhealthy lifestyle habits are said to be one of the causes of exacerbating menopausal symptoms. Therefore, in order to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, let's review your lifestyle and be conscious of living a healthy life both physically and mentally .

A well-balanced diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables is recommended. Eating vegetables and fruits can be expected to reduce symptoms of depression and stress2). Also, be conscious of consuming soy products that contain a lot of isoflavones that act like female hormones.

Also, moderate exercise can be expected to be effective in alleviating menopausal symptoms. Research data shows that depressive symptoms and QOL are improved by walking and yoga3).

Cool when hot, warm when cold

Hot flashes are the main symptom of menopause. If you experience symptoms of hot flashes, try cooling the neck and back of the head with ice packs. Also, many people feel cold symptoms during menopause. Warm up your body when you feel cold by taking a bath or covering yourself with a blanket.

In addition, during menopause, some women experience “cold hot flashes,” such as a hot face but a cold lower body. Disturbances in the autonomic nervous system are thought to be the cause, so please be conscious of resting your body slowly or taking a bath to adjust the autonomic nervous system .

get a prescription for herbal medicine

It is said that the use of Chinese herbal medicine is effective for the symptoms of menopause. Kamishoyosan is a herbal medicine that is often prescribed for menopausal symptoms. It can be expected to improve symptoms such as depression, irritation, hot flashes, and hot flashes.

In addition, Toki Shakuyakusan is recommended for those who have decreased physical strength and tend to be cold or anemic. Keishibukuryogan is often prescribed for people with hot flashes, headaches, lower abdominal pain, etc.

There are individual differences in menopausal symptoms, and it is necessary to take Chinese herbal medicine that matches the symptoms . Kampo medicine gradually improves the symptoms, so it is easy to incorporate it into your life, so if you want to alleviate the symptoms little by little, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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If symptoms are severe, consult a gynecologist

If menopausal symptoms are severe, do not worry alone and consult a gynecologist. In some cases, when you think that it is a symptom of menopause, another disease is actually hidden . In particular, gynecological diseases and lifestyle-related diseases are increasing at this age, so it is recommended that you see a gynecologist as soon as possible if you have any symptoms that you are concerned about.

Menopausal symptoms vary from person to person, so when you visit a gynecologist, it is a good idea to summarize the symptoms you are concerned about and the points you feel uneasy about.

summary

An increasing number of women in their late 40s and early 50s suffer from menopausal symptoms such as stiff shoulders, headaches, irritability, and hot flashes. There are individual differences in the age at which menopause symptoms begin, and some people start having symptoms as early as 35 years old, which is called pre-menopause.

The symptoms of menopause can be expected to improve by reviewing lifestyle habits and taking Chinese medicine. If the symptoms are severe, another disease may be hiding, so do not worry alone and consult a gynecologist .

References

1) Yashvee Dunneram, Darren Charles Greenwood, Victoria J Burley, Janet E Cade. Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women's Cohort Study. 2018. https://jech.bmj.com/content/72/8 /733

2) Liu, Zhao-min, Ho, Suzanne C., Xie, Yao Jie, Chen, Ya-jun, Chen, Yu-ming, Chen, Bailing, Wong, Samuel Yeung-shan, Chan, Dicken, Wong, Carmen Ka Man, He, Qiqiang, Tse, Lap Ah,Woo, Jean. associations between dietary patterns and psychological factors: a cross-sectional study among Chinese postmenopausal women. /12000/Associations_between_dietary_patterns_and.7.aspx

3) Steriani Elavsky, Edward McAuley. Physical activity and mental health outcomes during menopause: A randomized controlled trial. 2007. https://academic.oup.com/abm/article/33/2/132/4569352?login=true