Age-related hormonal changes in the female body are manifested not only by the gradual extinction of reproductive functions. This restructuring affects all organs and systems, forcing them to adapt to a different quantity and quality of hormones produced. Often, women during the period of manifestation of the first symptoms of an incipient menopause are lost in their diversity and are ready to build the most terrible forecasts against the background of their poor health, not realizing that a gynecologist can help them. estet-portal.com reminds that with the approach of menopause in a patient, the doctor should be especially attentive to her ailments and provide timely medical support that will improve the quality of life of a woman.
The essence of the processes in the body, manifested as symptoms of the onset of menopause
Climacteric syndrome develops against the background of an age-related decrease in the production of estrogen hormones and changes in the work of the hypothalamus. At the same time, the work of the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems is disrupted, metabolic and psycho-emotional disorders develop. Due to estrogen deficiency, gradual atrophy of the tissues of the genitourinary system occurs, osteoporosis develops, atherosclerosis progresses, and the functional state of the autonomic nervous system changes. Finally, menstruation gradually stops, reproductive function fades.
When the climacteric syndrome appears and how hard it will proceed depends on many factors:
• presence of gynecological diseases (endometriosis, uterine fibroids);
• existing cardiovascular problems, arterial hypertension;
• level of adaptive systems of the body;
• psychosocial factors – stress, problems in personal life and at work, emotional and physical overstrain.
Often, the first symptoms of a beginning menopause appear due to stress. Climacteric syndrome may have seasonal exacerbations – most often in spring and autumn.
What are the typical manifestations of the symptoms of the onset of menopause
All manifestations of the climacteric syndrome are usually divided into three groups. The most common of them – neurovegetative symptoms.
Most often:
• flushes of heat to face and head;
• excessive sweating;
• appearance of red spots on the chest and neck;
• bouts of severe headache;
• vasomotor rhinitis.
Neurovegetative symptoms can be manifested by changes in blood pressure up to a hypertensive crisis, convulsions and numbness in the limbs, increased excitability or, conversely, drowsiness. Sometimes women complain of asthma attacks and panic attacks. Due to neurovegetative disorders, the sensitivity of the nervous system increases, and it seems to the patient that everything in her body hurts in different parts of the body.
Psycho-neurotic symptoms are manifested by a decrease in memory and attention, a deterioration in working capacity. Patients complain of rapidly onset fatigue, irritability, sudden intolerance to odors.
Approximately one in ten menopausal women suffers from persistent depression that is difficult to treat.
Somatic symptoms include inflammation of the vaginal walls, dystrophic changes in the vulva, itching in the genital area, and involuntary and often painful urination. Against the background of a decrease in collagen production, flabbiness of the skin increases, wrinkles appear. Approximately half of women gain weight.
What questions will help the patient to identify the symptoms of the onset of menopause
The climacteric syndrome can manifest itself in different ways, and if the patient at the gynecologist's appointment denies hot flashes or sweating, menstrual disorders and other clear signs of it, but at the same time complains of feeling unwell, she should be asked about the following symptoms:
• periodic fluctuations in pressure and changes in heart rate;
• sudden dizziness;
• sleep disorders;
• fatigue;
• occasional feeling of lack of air;
• occurrence of obsessions;
• increased appetite;
• frequent mood swings;
• the appearance of "goose bumps", increased dryness of the skin and mucous membranes;
• a feeling of tingling, discomfort in some parts of the body.
Positive answers to at least some of these questions will enable the doctor to timely diagnose menopausal syndrome and choose treatment tactics. For a woman, the establishment of such a diagnosis often becomes a relief, since many people mistakenly attribute nonspecific signs of the syndrome to serious illnesses. However, if in doubt, an additional consultation with an endocrinologist or other specialized specialists should be recommended.
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