Health and medicine

Mini Research Paper

Menopause

Definition: Menopause is the end of fertility a change in every women's life, and is defined as one day in a women's' life , the day after she has not seen her menstrual period for twelve consecutive months , and no other biological or physiological reason is shown. Menopause occurs when the ovaries run out of eggs and decrease production of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and to a lower extent androgen. It is a unique and natural experience for every woman

Prevalence:          It affects all women at some time in their life menopause can occur as early as when a women is in her 30's or as late as

in her 60's. For unknown reasons ovaries gradually begin to change on hormone production during a women's mid 30's. In the women's late 40's the process speeds up and hormones fluctuate or change more causing irregular periods.

By her 50's, her menstrual cycle finally ends completely.

Symptoms/ Diagnosis: Every woman's body is unique therefore her menopause experience will be just as unique as her. 15-20% of women experience no physical symptoms at all during the end of their menstrual cycles. Some of the symptoms are developed in a stage prior to menopause.

        Hot flashes

        Urinary tract infections or painful urination

        Vaginal dryness

        Insomnia

        Heart palpitations

        Night sweats

        Anxiety and irritability

        Mood changes

        Stress

        Risk Factors : The majority of women experience natural menopause , some women may experience early menopause due to medical interventions such as :

        Surgically removing both ovaries known as " bilateral oophorectomy"

        If ovaries are damaged by radiation, chemotherapy, and certain drugs.

        Specific medical conditions.

What also influences the time of menopause are Genetics, and women who smoke cigarettes experience menopause 2 years earlier.

        Detection: Laboratory tests are done to...