Menopause, also known as climacteric refers to the time when menstrual cycle in a woman stops permanently. It means a woman is incapable of giving birth anymore. Menopause in most women occurs at the age of 45. However, certain medical conditions influence menopause timing. Such conditions include the removal of ovaries, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and premature ovary failure. Some medical researchers say that the chances of menopause are high in a woman that has not had any vaginal bleeding for a full year. It happens when ovaries stop producing progesterones and estrogen. It is a unique experience and signs and symptoms vary from one woman to another one next door.
The following are the typical symptoms of menopause at 45.
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Night Sweats and hot flashes
Hot flashes and night sweats are some severe symptoms of menopause in most women at the age of45. The symptoms are bothersome and can adversely affect a woman’s overall wellbeing. Hot flashes refer to a situation when a woman feels flustered even on cold weather. Scientists refer to such a state as vasomotor symptoms. Hot flashes occur surprisingly and from nowhere. They last for 1-5 minutes, and its severity varies from one woman to another.
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Sleeping problems or insomnia as symptoms of menopause at 45
Hormonal changes, hot flashes among other social issues lead to sleeping problems. Estrogen and progesterone (sleep-promoting hormone) production declines when a woman reaches 45 years. It also makes one susceptible to external stressors and other environmental factors that disturb sleeping.
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Mood swings and depression
During the same time frame when estrogen level drops, about 20% of women experience depression. However, this is not the only cause as other life stressors and menopausal history increase chances of a woman getting depressed.
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Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a typical symptom of menopause and about 1 in every three women experiences the condition. Vaginal dryness results from the drop in estrogen which causes lack of vaginal moisture. The condition can impact negatively on a woman’s sexual life.
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Bone loss
It I another severe menopause symptom that occurs at the age of 45. Estrogen plays a plethora of roles in the body and one of them is giving a woman a feminine look and enhancing bone strength. Signs that show bone loss include a small frame, thinness and being Asian or white. Bone density testing can be done to determine the condition. Other common symptoms include lack of concentration, urinary incontinence, mild depression, fatigue and headaches and migraines.
The severity of the above symptoms of menopause at 45 varies from one woman to another. There are various treatments used to curb the symptoms. Some of the commonly used ones are selective estrogen receptor modulators, hormone replacement therapy, among other medications.