Menopause: How to Age Beautifully
 Midlife or middle adulthood is a normal developmental stage in life. It covers the 40 to 65 years of life and is considered as the rite of passage. During this period, many issues contribute to anxiety and depression. Biologically, men and women alike experience a series of bodily changes associated with the natural phenomenon called menopause (or andropause for men). To successfully maneuver through the issues associated with menopause, there is a need for self-awareness to understand the changes that happen to our body.
Menopause begins when menstruation ceases. Typically women reach menopause at age 45 to 55. Contrary to popular belief, there has been no link established between the age of one’s first menstruation to her age of menopause. There appears to be no association either with the onset of menopause to the weight, height, childbearing, or use of oral contraceptives. We may be unaware but changes leading to menopause happen in a course of ten years of more.
Physical changes associated with menopause include: thinner and luster-less hair, loosened teeth and receding gums, drooping and flattened breasts, nipples become flattened and smaller, skin becomes rough and dry, increased dryness in mucous membranes, loss of tone in the muscles of the abdomen, development of urge or stress incontinence, loss of bone mass, and vaginal itching and dryness. Menopausal women are also at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, more prone to backaches and brittle bones, and commonly complain of hot flashes and headache.
Most of these changes are associated with the hormonal changes, specifically the decrease in estrogen. Decreasing estrogen levels is the culprit behind the ageing process and the change in the texture of the skin. The skin’s loss of elasticity and moisture results from the decline in estrogen. As a consequence, skin begins to fold loosely and wrinkle. Also, the aging decreases melanin production thereby making the skin more prone to the harmful effects of UV rays. To effectively delay the aging process, it is recommended to limit sun exposure and to lather on sunscreen as a protective barrier against harmful UV rays.
The decrease in estrogen levels is also blamed for the decrease in vaginal secretions that makes menopausal women more prone to vaginal infections, discomforts such as itching, and painful intercourse.
It is very important to follow an exercise regimen to help tone muscles and decrease the occurrence of fractures by increasing bone strength. A healthy and balanced diet is essential to ensure continuous supply of all essential vitamins and minerals that help fight of diseases commonly affecting aging women.
It is not true that menopausal women are depressed and unhappy. It just helps to be aware and prepared for what is to come to age beautifully and gracefully.
 December 23, 2009
 Tags: age for menopause, average age of menopause, hormones after menopause, menopause, menopause age Posted in: earlysymptoms
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