Dr. Cristina Bianchi brings information on menopause and climacteric and their effects on the woman’s body
From the first menstruation, known as menarche, to the last, women experience certain rites of passage that involve hormonal changes, such as pregnancies, climacteric and menopause. By the time you cross the 40-year line, many are already starting to prepare for menopause and are faced with the many physical and emotional changes that occur as the female body prepares for the end of reproductive capacity. But that doesn’t mean it’s something complex or problematic in a woman’s life. Therefore, to remove the main doubts about this issue, the doctor
Cristina Bianchi*
bring more information. Keep reading!
What is the difference between menopause and climacteric?
Menopause is nothing more than a woman’s last menstrual period, while the climacteric is a longer period that begins, on average, 2 years before menopause and is characterized by the onset of symptoms – menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, insomnia, joint pain -, and which lasts, on average, more than 2 years after the definitive cessation of menstruation.
“The climacteric begins when the number of eggs is already very low and with this the body has difficulty maintaining ovulations. The levels of ovarian hormones gradually decrease until the end of ovarian activity, marked by menopause”explains Dr. Cristina Bianchi.
With the impact of symptoms experienced daily by women entering the climacteric phase, many are looking for solutions that can alleviate this period.
How do I know if I’m already in climacteric?
There is no certain age for the manifestation of the first symptoms of this change, but it appears between 45 and 55 years and, in some cases, can appear before or after this age range. But how can you identify that you are starting at this stage? Below are some common symptoms to help you in the identification process, but it’s worth noting that only a trained doctor can make the correct diagnosis.
1. Menstrual cycle changes
As menopause approaches, we first notice a shortening of the cycles – that is, women with 28 day cycles start to have 26-24 day cycles – and, as the years go by, failures and irregularities appear, and finally menopause. . .
2. Hot flashes – Hot flashes
The hot flash is the most specific symptom of the climacteric and is caused by the lack or low production of the hormone estrogen by the ovaries. It is a vascular phenomenon in which the woman feels suddenly and for a few minutes a sensation of intense heat, sweating and, sometimes, dizziness.
Image by Canva
3. Insomnia
Sleep disturbances are very common in menopause, both difficulty falling asleep and waking up early.
4. Decreased libido and discouragement
Along with fluctuations in female hormones, we can also experience fluctuations in male hormones such as testosterone. What contributes to the fall of sexual libido and discouragement.
5. Behavioral Changes
The climacteric period is one of the great changes that take place in a woman’s life and can change the mood and, many times, the immediate personality traits of the individual. For example, it is possible that irritability is marked, emotionally unstable, among others.
How to deal with the symptoms?
The initial resource used by doctors is hormone replacement. However, not all patients are willing or even able to use hormones. For this reason, it must be emphasized that there are alternatives such as:
- medicinal herbs;
- acupuncture;
- non-hormonal drugs.
In addition to all the options available, Dr. Cristina Bianchi also points out one essential thing for women who want to relieve the symptoms of this stage.
“Without a doubt, a healthy lifestyle, healthy eating and regular exercise are the foundation for addressing symptoms [do climatério]”
, share. It is always important to make an appointment with your doctor to study the most suitable alternatives for your body and your reality.
Can the climacteric lead to sexual dysfunctions such as vaginismus?
Another factor that can accompany climacteric is the occurrence of sexual dysfunction, which affects the sex life of some women. This happens because of the Urogenital Syndrome, which affects about 50% of women after the arrival of the climacteric.
“What happens is a loss of vitality in the intimate region. Symptoms such as dryness, itching and vaginal burning set in and generate pain and difficulty in sexual intercourse” alert the expert
When a woman begins to feel discomfort during sexual intercourse, a feeling of fear and apprehension naturally arises in future sexual intercourse: the fear of experiencing pain causes an involuntary contraction of the perineal muscles, which significantly worsens the penetration pain and leads this woman to stop a vicious circle – FEAR OF PAIN – CONTRACTION OF THE PERINEAL MUSCLES – MORE PAIN IN THE RELATIONSHIP – MORE FEAR – MORE CONTRACTION. Given this context, many women end up facing a decline in libido during this period, which can also occur through a number of factors, involving both the biological part and psychological and even social issues. In the biological case, sexual desire can be affected by the decrease in estrogen and testosterone, as well as by the decrease in vaginal lubrication, which causes the problems seen above. However, even if the climacteric is inevitable, it is important to know that the sooner the symptoms are treated, with the correct medical follow-up, the less discomfort you will feel, especially in the sexual part, allowing for greater control of the condition. In addition, consultations with specialists are also necessary, as the entire body of the woman can experience the impacts of this period.
What is the relationship between menopausal transition and cardiovascular disease?
The symptoms of the transition period between climacteric and menopause are the result of hormonal changes that the female body faces, including changes in the levels of estradiol, progesterone and thyroid hormones, which regulate some vital functions of the human body. In this phase, the regularity of gynecological visits is very important both to treat the symptoms caused by the climacteric and to monitor the possibility of developing certain pathologies, such as breast cancer, the most common among women, as well as cardiovascular problems. In changes related to the heart, the main impact is due to the decrease in the levels of estrogen, a hormone that has a protective action on the arteries and the heart, stimulating the flexibility and dilation of the vessels that facilitate the blood flow to the muscle cardiac. With the definitive stop of menstruation, the woman loses this protection, exposing herself more to the possibility of the risk of heart problems. Among them it is possible to mention coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. After 10 years of menopause, in a woman without hormone replacement, the cardiovascular risk is equal to that of a man of the same age group. Importantly, menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease. However, the hormonal changes experienced during this time can trigger or increase the chances of heart problems. Therefore, it is extremely important that women follow up with a specialist who is aware of the specific needs of each patient and who indicates appropriate treatments for each case.
*Dr. Cristina Bianchi is a USP trained gynecologist. Medical residency in gynecology and obstetrics at FMUSP. Title of Specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics from FEBRASGO. Postgraduate in Aesthetic Medicine from BWS. Intimate laser and prevention of Urogenital Syndrome since 2014
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
