Menopause And Hormone During Women Life Stages

Puberty, perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause ... The women life is physiological marked with different changes. While hormones play an important place in our daily lives, what do you know exactly about these substances?

If you thought that only teenagers are governed by their hormones, know that this influence continues throughout your life too.

The four stages of hormonal life

The female body changes with age and many of these changes are directly related to hormones influence, this rate varies during different stages of life. The influence of hormones is dormant during childhood and they start between 9 and 13 years.

Puberty: The breasts begin to form (breast bud). The pubic hair appear and between one and four years later, come the first period that mark the entrance into puberty. This period ends with the complete maturation of genitals.

Perimenopause: This transition reflects the approach of menopause. The period become less regular and the first symptoms of menopause may appear (hot flashes, night sweats ...). This period is between 2 and 4 years before the latest rules and is still one year after stopping them.

Menopause: Entering menopause is marked by the latest rules. Nobody knows with certainty that this is the last after a year without menstruation.

Post-menopause: the period after menopause and continues until the end of life. Pregnancies are impossible.

But what are the mysterious conductors that punctuate the lives of women?

The secrets circuits of hormonal system

Without claiming to explain all the hormonal mechanisms of our body, i will present some highlights. In this hormonal system, several bodies take the spotlight.

The ovaries are two small oval bodies located on both sides of the uterus. At birth, they contain 700 000 follicles. Only 400 to 500 of them will be matured and bond actually an egg during the menstrual cycle. The maturation of these follicles is linked to the production of estrogen.

But the real conductor of this system lies in the head. At the base of the brain, the hypothalamus is a small gland, this is the key to the whole system. Stimulated by the central nervous system, stimulates the hypothalamus, pituitary hormones through Gn RH. In turn, the front part of the pituitary hormone follicular stimulation product (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH). Acting together, these two hormones in turn stimulate the maturation of one of ovarian follicles, which will give an egg. As the maturation of the egg, the quantities of estrogen and progesterone increase. These hormones will cause the thickness of the uterine epithelium, which is preparing to welcome and nurture the fertilized egg after conception. The maximum rate of estrogen is reached a day before ovulation. It is the LH hormone that triggers ovulation around the 14th day. Caution, however, this can vary so contraceptive methods based on this schedule are not reliable. If there is no fertilization, the hormone levels fall, the uterine wall is necrosis, is off and the period are triggered while rebuilding the wall is being .

With the approach of perimenopause, the hormone levels fluctuate without following any rhythm. On the other hand, the pituitary gland release more FSH hormone to maintain the smooth functioning of ovaries, which themselves become resistant to this hormone. The period become unpredictable, both in pace and their volume. Your doctor can then prescribe you the FSH. But the rate of this hormone is very volatile during perimenopause. After the absence of your menstrual period for a year and with a high rate of FSH, it can diagnose menopause. Attention, less than a year after the last menstrual period, getting pregnant is always possible.

Hormonal Treatment Of Menopause

Risks demonstrated ... in 2002, the publication of a U.S. study called WHI (for Women's Health Initiative) was the effect of a thunderclap in the sky for the treatment of menopause. Since European and French, study have prompted health authorities to revise on downwards the guidance of hormonal treatment of menopause. But specifically, what attitude to adopt towards treatment when a woman is experiencing menopause

Tailor the treatment

"Today, treatment are reserved primarily for women suffering from climacteric, ie hot flashes, joint pain, from vaginal dryness, etc.. They take "sometime", time disturbances, generally 4 to 5 years. And the ideal combination of hormones is an estrogen administered through the skin (patch or gel) that adding natural progesterone (Utrogestan or the one of its generic tablets). " Another proposal experts, the tibolone (Livial), a hormone replacement therapy for menopause alone to estrogen and progestin effects at the same time, effective bursts of heat and the bone without the disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy ( TSH) "classic" on the breast.

What is the real risk?

The Strategy of HRT is based on the results of a number of studies. Thus, hormones surrogates are taking a risk of phlebitis and / or pulmonary embolism which we know are due to estrogen take tablets. Then heart disease, which are linked to the type of progestin: "The molecule chosen by the Americans is very little used in France for example"

Finally, the third risk is breast cancer, confirmed by all studies. But it seems that the TSH reveals cancer rather than creates it, and ultimately, the mortality rate is the same as taking HRT or not. Perhaps it would be even better prognosis when receiving HRT because their breast cancers are different and / or they are better used on ... What is certain is that women who don ' have not received progestin, because their uterus was removed in the past did not have breast cancer. And two hormones, natural progesterone and tibolone, have proved so far without any disadvantage for the breast. The second is also tested for 3 years in the "worst" conditions, in women who have had breast cancer.

Finally, if we analyse all recent work, the treatment of menopause would have a positive effects when it is given just after menopause, not after 60 years, as was the case in the WHI study TSH which was administered to prevent the consequences of aging.

Herbal Remedies For Your Menopause

Keep things simple and natural, this is what i will always repeat :D. In this first part of the post i will focus on some tips that will help you for your daily living, so let's begin.

Menopause is part of the natural, life-long process of female growth and development. The word menopause originates from the Greek words meaning "to cease" and "month." In essence, menopause refers to the stopping of menstruation. For most American women, menopause occurs at an average age of 51, but it can begin as early as 40 and end as late as 58.

One thing is for sure and that is every woman's experience of menopause will be different. Approximately 80% of all women will go through the "change of life" - as it is often referred to - with very few symptoms other than their periods coming to an end.

Menopause symptoms occur due to the physical changes a woman experiences as she gets older. In particular, it is due to the reduction in the levels of hormones - namely estrogen and progesterone - in her body. This decrease causes an irregularity in the menstrual cycle and the eventual end of the menstrual cycle all together.

The three early menopause symptoms that signify the start of the process are irregular monthly periods, vaginal dryness and hot flashes (or hot flushes). Probably the most common - or classic - symptom is hot flashes. Hot flash symptoms are when a woman experiences a sudden wave of heat rising through your body, in particular in the chest, neck and face, which can be (usually is) accompanied by a "blushing" sensation or flushed/reddening skin. The feeling can last for quite a few minutes and become quite uncomfortable.

A hot flash can make you perspire - in some cases profusely - and may bring on headaches, dizziness and an increased heart rate (though it's nothing to be overly concerned with - it's usually just your heart trying to cope with the increase in blood flow). An effective method for dealing with hot flashes (or hot flushes depending on what part of the world you live in) is to help control your temperature by wearing several layers of clothing. When you get hot, you can always take some layers off. A cool shower often works well, but depends if you're at home or have access to a shower. Drinking cool liquids (not necessarily cold, but nicely cool) usually has a very beneficial effect as well.

One of the other symptoms of menopause - that of vaginal dryness - are caused by the reduction in estrogen. This decrease in natural hormones makes the urinary tract a lot thinner, and can cause both the urinary tract and vagina to become more susceptible to infection. In certain cases, it can also make having sex quite a painful, or at least uncomfortable experience.

There are many natural herbs for menopause that you can take to ease the symptoms, but one of the best remedies for the dryness is to use natural creams and/or lubricants like ky jelly, apricot or vitamin E oil. All of these will make having sex a much more pleasurable experience again (but unfortunately can't account for the performance of a partner!). There are other over the counter or prescription creams that your physician may also recommend, many of which contain extra estrogen.

Next post will focus on herbal remedies for the menopause, so keep an eye on this blog.

What Causes Early Menopause

Normal menopause is a gradual process that starts between the ages of 45 and 55. It is defined as occurring in women who have at least one ovary, and takes 5 to 10 years, though it can take up to 13 years. Early menopause, on the other hand, can start in the 30's or early 40's, in women who have at least one ovary.

Premature menopause has the advantage that the whole process is usually quicker than regular menopause. 1% of women will have finished their mid life transition by the age of 40. On the whole, 1 to 3 years is shaved off.

There are a number of things that can lead to premature menopause. Sometimes these things are a result of lifestyle choices, that include:

* poor nutrition
* heavy smoking
* heavy drinking
* chronic stress to the body - this can include excessive athletic training

However, sometimes factors outside of a woman's control lead to early menopause. For example, autoimmune disorders can affect menopause as well. Mumps and other serious viral infections can damage a woman's eggs. Given that menopause is associated with fewer primary follicles being able to develop and ovulate, it is easy to see why a woman with fewer follicles, or damaged eggs unable to develop into an ovulatory egg, is prone to an earlier menopause.

If a woman has undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy, large numbers of eggs can be destroyed. With fewer eggs left, menopause will be earlier than in healthy women.

Some women are just born with fewer eggs. They will also experience premature menopause. When a woman's mother underwent menopause is a good guide to her own genetic predisposition.

Women who have had their ovaries removed before they experience a natural menopause will undergo what is called 'artificial menopause'. This is a very abrupt form of menopause, and hormone replacement therapy is usually recommended because the body has not had a chance to get used to the hormonal changes.

Women who have a hysterectomy, even with the preservation of their ovaries, may find themselves having menopausal symptoms. Any surgery to the pelvic area can disrupt blood flow and cause ovarian failure.

Ovarian failure does not necessarily mean that the ovaries have run out of eggs. There may be eggs present, but a woman's body does not respond to the hormonal signals they create.

Another ovarian disorder, called 'diminished ovarian reserve', is often a preamble of premature ovarian failure if it occurs in woman under the age of 40. In it, a woman may still have reasonably regular periods, but she begins to experience the symptoms of menopause.

Fertility And My Chance To Get Pregnant

What is fertility?
Fertility is the ability of a woman to get pregnant, and therefore to conceive a child. Women are fertile from the moment they have there menstrual cycle at the time of puberty, until the menstrual period disappear with menopause. Doctors believe that a disorder of fertility may be present when a couple fails to make a child after a year of testing.

What are the factors influencing fertility?

The first factor to consider is that of age, since fertility declines with him. Fertility in a woman begins to decline between 20 years and 30-35 years, then more seriously decreases from 35 years before being very low see zero between 45 years and the advent of menopause. The age occupies an important place on fertility because ovulation and uterine lining that fix itself in the embryo deteriorate over the years.

The fertility depends on your lifestyle: smoking, alcohol, cannabis or caffeine may affect the chances to conceive a child, women who do not use all of this have better chance to get pregnant from women who smoke or who drink daily.

Another very important factor is whether the contact with toxic substances (radiation, pesticides, solvents ...) which may lead to sterility.

Stress is also one of the elements influencing fertility: a woman relaxed and serene willing to make a child will be pregnant soon better than a woman undergoing stress in his daily work or in her everyday life.

The last factor affecting fertility is, of course, the frequency of sex: women who make love only a few months will not have the same chances to conceive a child than those who make love several times a week.

How to put all the chances of your side?
Clearly, if after several months of test you do not see a pregnancy symptom, sit and learn to relax in the evening while returning from work, or go get a massage.

Throw away all harmful products, whether cigarettes or alcohol, and replace the coffee with fruit juice. Be sure to have a balanced and varied diet (meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, dairy products ...) and regular (do not skip meals and avoid nibbling), and think of you moisturize. Finally, put yourself in regular physical activity and remember to make love!

What Happen Exactly During Irregular Menstrual Cycle?

Irregular menstrual cycles affect more women than previously thought. In most cases, this disorder in the system of ovulation suddenly appears before disappearing in the same way. Or it may also be linked to various diseases: diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease or a deficiency of estrogen or overweight or lack of female hormones. In these cases, weight loss, taking estrogen or medical monitoring, sufficient to restore order in the female cycle.

When the body refuses

However, for other women, things look more complicated and the difficulty of knowing and therefore to assess the period of ovulation, make it difficult to find the right moment to make a baby and it might even be a dream that is not feasible for some.

When amenorrhea occurs it's the lack of menstrual cycle for more than three months - there is a cause for concern. Indeed, the causes of a long absence of menstrual cycle could be more serious and have consequences on your fertility. The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (which affects 5% to 10% of women), endometriosis and osteoporosis are often the source of these problems.

For women suffering from ovarian syndrome (PCOS), there is a high risk of infertility. The follicles, where the eggs grow, turn into cysts, which prevent eggs to mature. This then causes a high risk of infertility and the risk of an endometriosis is greater, with the lining of the uterus bleeding with menstrual pain. Fertility is often invoked because there is a risk that the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the uterus may be damaged.

Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that all the problems of irregular menstrual cycle do not necessarily mean infertility or health problems. This irregularity in menstrual cycle may need medical attention for some women while for others the majority, it is not necessary

Menopausal Hot Flashes And Sweating

At the office for an appointment or a dinner between friends, without respite: hot flashes occur, without warning, and often ruin the lives of women. Depending on their intensity, they are not experienced or taken over in the same way.

The most common symptom of menopause

For most women, menopause occurs between 45 and 55 years. With it, functional disorders, called climacteric disorders, which can appear sometimes. Of these, hot flashes are one of the most characteristic and most early menopause symptoms in Western countries. The ovaries produce less and less hormones, the resulting deficiency can trigger hot flashes, sometimes exacerbated by stressful situations.

They usually appear before the judgment rules. Other events, such as fatigue, vaginal dryness and weight gain, are more insidious. If hot flashes are non-existent or very moderate in a woman in two, the other half suffers from these events sometimes very painful.

Cluttered by a feeling of intense heat that suddenly invades the chest, neck, and then climbs the face, hot flushes can also be accompanied by redness and sweating. They last between 30 seconds and a few minutes, and are often followed by cold sweat. These episodes are repeating sometimes up to 15 to 20 times per day may bother some women point to prevent them from working.

During the night, sweats take over, awakening women and forcing them to change the sheets, sometimes insomnia. These "mini-heat waves" passengers are not dangerous, but can become a real source of fatigue and depression.

However they vary widely from one woman to another, both in frequency and intensity, and often lived in a very different way as women. According to some studies, they also vary depending on the country, food and socio-cultural level. They can disappear spontaneously after 4 or 5 years on average, but it is estimated that half of women with real hot flushes keep them very long, up to ten years if they are not treated.