MENOPAUSE

PREMENOPAUSE

Occurs years before menopause Ovaries start producing less

estrogen Lasts up until menopause Signs and symptoms:

Fatigue Difficulty sleeping Dryness Tender breasts Mood swings More intense premenstrual

syndrome (PMS) Hot flashes

MENOPAUSE

Period at which women’s menstrual periods permanently end

Natural part of life, not a disease or disorder

Average age for menopause onset is 51, but may start as early as their 30s or as late as their 60s

Ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone Women cannot become pregnant anymore

POSTMENOPAUSE

Symptoms for most women ease or disappear completely

Women are at risk of a number of health conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease

May regain energy Women are considered to be in postmenopause if

they have not had their period for 12 months/a year

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Irregular periods: can be more often or less, last more

days or fewer, be lighter or heavier

Hot flashes: sudden feeling of heat

Trouble sleeping: difficulty sleeping at night

Vaginal and urinary problems

Mood changes

Changing feelings about sex: some women feel less aroused while others feel more comfortable after menopause

Osteoporosis: state in which your bones get thin and weak, can lead to loss of height and broken bones

Other changes: forgetfulness, difficulty focusing, waist might become larger, could lose muscle and gain fat and joints and muscles might feel stiff and achy

SIGNS &SYMPTOMS

• Depression and/or anxiety

• Memory loss

• Migraines

• Rapid heartbeat

• Itching

• Dryness

• Back, joint and muscle pain

• Breast tenderness and swelling

• Decreased elasticity of skin

• Irritability

• Skin thinning and becoming drier

• Intercourse maybe painful

• Trouble reaching orgasms

• Vaginal dryness

• Formication: itching, tingling, burning, pins, and needles, or sensation of ants crawling

CAUSES Ovaries run out of functioning eggs

The drop in estrogen is believed to be the cause for many of the symptoms since it is affects the blood vessels, heart, bone, breasts, uterus, urinary system, skin, and brain

There is also a drop in testosterone, the hormone that is involved with the sex drive

MANAGEMENTS & TREATMENTS Controlling Symptoms & Complications:

Regular exercise Healthy diet Stay at healthy weight Quit smoking (if you are smoking) Good mental health Get more sleep Decrease alcohol consumption Look for positive ways to ease daily stress Talk to friends and family

Therapy:Hormone Therapy Birth control pill Patches Sprays Creams Rings

MANAGEMENTS & TREATMENTS

Therapy: • Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Good Effects Bad Effects

Estrogen relieves hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular bleeding, and helps prevent osteoporosis

Progestin helps prevent cancer

Higher risk of developing endometrial cancer

gallbladder disease, blood clots, and maybe breast cancer

Other serious side effects

• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)

Pharmaceuticals: • Prescription medications (such as antidepressants, epilepsy medicine, and

blood pressure medicine)• Over-the-counter medicines (such as vaginal lubricants, vaginal moisturizer)

MANAGEMENTS &TREATMENTSFor specific symptoms

Hot flashes: • Avoid spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, stress and hot places • Take slow deep breaths• Dress in many layers and take some off when hot flashes start • If overweight try losing weight • MHT

Troubles Sleeping:• Be physically active, not before bedtime since it might make you more awake• Avoid large meals, smoking, working and caffeine before bedtime• Drink something warm before bed (caffeine free tea or warm milk, etc.)• Keep bedroom dark quiet and cool• Avoid napping

MANAGEMENTS AND TREATMENTS For specific symptoms

Mood Swings: • Getting enough sleep and staying physically active • Avoid taking on too many duties • Talk to doctor to look for signs of depression and/or anxiety• See therapist • Try support groups for women who are experiencing similar symptoms• MHT

Memory loss:• Women complain of memory loss or troubles focusing although studies suggest that

menopause has little affect on these functions • Physical exercises• Mental exercises

CONNECTIONS In the novel Evelyn Couch is going through

menopause

Evelyn is experiencing many of the symptoms

She does not know how to handle them

Evelyn becomes frustrated with herself

Evelyn thinks, like many women, there is something wrong with her

CONNECTIONS Evelyn develops throughout the novel learning how to cope

with the symptoms Evelyn seems to be a very emotional woman at the beginning

of the novel There seems to be no apparent reason for her mood swings One of the ways that helped Evelyn with her symptoms was

through listening stories of whistle stop Also talking to Mrs. Threadgood helped her ease her

symptoms

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www.medicinenet.com/menopause/article.htm>.

U.S Department on Health and Human Services. “Office on Women’s Health.” Menopause. Sept. 24, 2010. Web.

Oct. 26, 2013 <http://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/> .

“WebMD.” Premenopause.” Jun. 11, 2012. Web. Oct. 27, 2013 <http://

www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/guide-perimenopause?page=2>.

Watson, Stephanie. “Health Line.” Menopause. 2005-2013. Web. Oct. 26, 2013 <http://

www.healthline.com/health/menopause/causes-early>.

Help For Menopause." Pamphlet by: Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2000.

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WORKS CITED