Menopause is the stage in a woman's life when her fertility period ends due to changes that stem from biological aging. Most women will reach this stage around their 50s. Beyond the fact that it is the period when a woman stops having her period, this period is often characterized by additional changes - physiological, social and psychological. So yes, it's nice when there is no longer any bleeding to worry about, but we all know that this is a broader change. To make it a little easier, we have compiled important information for you about menopause, the cessation of menstruation and the effects it has on our bodies.
When and why does menstruation stop?
The cessation of menstruation , also called menopause, is a natural process that occurs during menopause. The first thing you should know about menopause is that menstruation does not stop all at once. Although menopause is commonly defined as the period that begins a year after the last period, the cessation itself occurs gradually. Over time, the gaps between one period and the next become longer, until menstruation stops altogether.
The reason for this gradual cessation lies in the body's aging process. With age, less and less estrogen, the hormone responsible, among other things, for regulating the menstrual cycle, is secreted in the body. The ovarian follicles lose their function (like all parts of the body, in fact), and therefore no egg is released for fertilization. In other words, the first stage - ovulation - does not occur and therefore the bleeding stage does not arrive.
What happens to our vagina during menopause?
One of the processes that occurs during menopause is the thinning of the vaginal wall and the weakening of sensation in the area, and here too the reason for this is the decrease in estrogen levels. All the symptoms associated with this thinning are collectively called "vaginal atrophy" and include, among other things, dryness, pain during intercourse, itching and chafing that occurs easily. The hormonal changes may also lead to a different smell than usual, which many women will describe as strange. But it is not strange, it is just different, because we are changing.
How to deal with these phenomena?
It's important to remember that, like menstruation itself, the absence of menstruation affects each of us differently. Some of us will recognize different symptoms and some may not feel any difference at all. The main thing is to understand that many of these symptoms, and even the lack of symptoms of menopause, are all natural and normal. For example, hot flashes are a common symptom, but not all women experience them as they age. The same goes for insomnia, mood swings, and urinary incontinence.
Regarding vaginal atrophy, there are various ways to alleviate the symptoms, but not to stop them completely. For example, pain during intercourse and itching caused by vaginal dryness may be relieved by using lubricants and estrogen. Another equally important suggestion is to adapt your underwear to the new conditions, including preferring breathable fabrics such as organic cotton, comfortable cuts, and a minimum of chemical dyes, nylon, and plastics.
Can I bleed even though my period is over?
There are many common myths about menopause, such as that you can't get pregnant during it, that women gain weight during it, and that its symptoms are genetic. In addition, it is commonly believed that all women who go through menopause stop bleeding forever, but this is not accurate. Some women experience the symptoms of menopause but still get their periods. And this is also the main thing that is important for us to remember - every body is different, every woman is different, and each one may or may not prefer a particular treatment. The most important thing is to listen to your body and support it as it has supported you over the years.
* The article is not a substitute for consulting a doctor.
