During menopause, there is a significant reduction in the production of female sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal decrease can cause several physical and hormonal changes that have an impact on women’s libido and sexual satisfaction. On this World Menopause Day, October 18th, the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO) reinforces the importance of medical monitoring during this period of women’s lives.
In general, Menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 55, marking the end of the female reproductive phase. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), it is estimated that Brazil has approximately 29 million women who are in climacteric or menopause, representing 7.9% of the country’s female population.
“Women spend a third or more of their lives in the postmenopausal phase. Menopause is the definitive cessation of menstruation, representing a milestone: the last menstruation”, says Dr. Luciano de Melo, president of the FEBRASGO Climacteric Committee.
The specialist explains that there is the menopausal transition phase and that the climacteric encompasses the entire transition from the reproductive to the non-reproductive period, up to the last menstruation. “At this stage, the woman already experiences menstrual changes and often begins to experience menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. However, she still has (irregular) menstrual cycles, but she does,” adds Melo.
Early menopause
Also known as premature ovarian failure, early menopause is when the ovary stops producing hormones and the woman goes into menopause, stopping menstruating completely before the age of 40.
The doctor explains that most of the time it is difficult to determine a cause, which medicine calls idiopathic. “Of course, there must be a cause behind idiopathic early menopause, but there are still no tests that can detect what this cause is. However, in many cases it is possible to detect what causes early menopause, for example, autoimmune diseases, when the body produces antibodies against the organism itself; oncological treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy; genetic and chromosomal factors”, highlights the gynecologist.
Causes
Gynecologist Lucia Helena Simões, vice-president of the FEBRASGO Climacteric Committee, explains that the main symptoms of menopause are actually many, for example vasomotor symptoms which are called hot flashes and are often accompanied by sweating, palpitations, awakening nocturnal. “A woman may have a hot flash and end up waking up several times at night, having difficulty falling asleep again, which leads to insomnia, tiredness, indisposition, psychological changes, anxiety, irritability, a more depressed mood or worsening of a depression she may already have. Vaginal problems, vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, urinary incontinence, memory changes can also be other examples of consequences”, explains the specialist.
Mood change
The FEBRASGO doctor talks about how this is a time of mood changes in women’s lives: “There are other conditions that occur during this period of a woman’s life that can worsen the mood, such as psychological problems. For example, the empty nest syndrome, in which children reach adulthood and leave home, and the woman soon finds herself alone or only with her partner, and this can lead to mood changes. From a work career point of view, there may also be some commitment, and these are other social issues that involve this period.”
Treatment
Dr. Lúcia says that to alleviate symptoms, women can resort to hormonal therapy. Menopause treatment is based on dietary guidance, physical activity, necessary psychological support and manual replacement therapy to control symptoms, in addition to other non-hormonal medications when the woman cannot or does not wish to use hormone replacement therapy. “The therapy is carried out on an individual basis, taking into account the woman’s needs and the risks that each woman presents”, adds the specialist.
During menopause, there is a significant reduction in the production of female sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal decrease can cause several physical and hormonal changes that have an impact on women’s libido and sexual satisfaction. On this World Menopause Day, October 18th, the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO) reinforces the importance of medical monitoring during this period of women’s lives.
In general, Menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 55, marking the end of the female reproductive phase. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), it is estimated that Brazil has approximately 29 million women who are in climacteric or menopause, representing 7.9% of the country’s female population.
“Women spend a third or more of their lives in the postmenopausal phase. Menopause is the definitive cessation of menstruation, representing a milestone: the last menstruation”, says Dr. Luciano de Melo, president of the FEBRASGO Climacteric Committee.
The specialist explains that there is the menopausal transition phase and that the climacteric encompasses the entire transition from the reproductive to the non-reproductive period, up to the last menstruation. “At this stage, the woman already experiences menstrual changes and often begins to experience menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. However, she still has (irregular) menstrual cycles, but she does,” adds Melo.
Early menopause
Also known as premature ovarian failure, early menopause is when the ovary stops producing hormones and the woman goes into menopause, stopping menstruating completely before the age of 40.
The doctor explains that most of the time it is difficult to determine a cause, which medicine calls idiopathic. “Of course, there must be a cause behind idiopathic early menopause, but there are still no tests that can detect what this cause is. However, in many cases it is possible to detect what causes early menopause, for example, autoimmune diseases, when the body produces antibodies against the organism itself; oncological treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy; genetic and chromosomal factors”, highlights the gynecologist.
Causes
Gynecologist Lucia Helena Simões, vice-president of the FEBRASGO Climacteric Committee, explains that the main symptoms of menopause are actually many, for example vasomotor symptoms which are called hot flashes and are often accompanied by sweating, palpitations, awakening nocturnal. “A woman may have a hot flash and end up waking up several times at night, having difficulty falling asleep again, which leads to insomnia, tiredness, indisposition, psychological changes, anxiety, irritability, a more depressed mood or worsening of a depression she may already have. Vaginal problems, vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, urinary incontinence, memory changes can also be other examples of consequences”, explains the specialist.
Mood change
The FEBRASGO doctor talks about how this is a time of mood changes in women’s lives: “There are other conditions that occur during this period of a woman’s life that can worsen the mood, such as psychological problems. For example, the empty nest syndrome, in which children reach adulthood and leave home, and the woman soon finds herself alone or only with her partner, and this can lead to mood changes. From a work career point of view, there may also be some commitment, and these are other social issues that involve this period.”
Treatment
Dr. Lúcia says that to alleviate symptoms, women can resort to hormonal therapy. Menopause treatment is based on dietary guidance, physical activity, necessary psychological support and manual replacement therapy to control symptoms, in addition to other non-hormonal medications when the woman cannot or does not wish to use hormone replacement therapy. “The therapy is carried out on an individual basis, taking into account the woman’s needs and the risks that each woman presents”, adds the specialist.
