Climacteric (human)

The climacteric ( gr klimaktér " scale, critical stage in life " ) refers to the woman's years of hormonal changes before and after menopause with the transition from the reproductive to postmenopausal phase. This period is called trivial as menopause.

The menopause is like puberty is a natural phase in the life of a woman and not a disease. It usually requires no treatment, unless severe symptoms occur which are caused by the hormonal changes.

Beginning

In some women, already begins at 40 years, the menopause, others not until the mid 50th At age 58, most women have menopause behind. If the ovaries are surgically removed, the menopause begins immediately.

The climacteric is divided into

  • Premenopausal period between the age of 40 and occurrence of irregular, occasional lack of cycles
  • Menopause, the time of the last menstrual controlled ovarian
  • Perimenopause, the period between the pre-and post -menopausal
  • Postmenopausal period twelve months from the last spontaneous menstrual
  • Praecox menopause, premature (<40 years) onset of the menopause

The menopause often leads to changes in the menstrual cycle: the bleeding be stronger or weaker, the distances between them smaller or larger, it may occur every few months, until the bleeding stops then. Thus, a woman's fertility is completed.

The most important hormonal change is the decline of estrogen that is produced in the ovaries and regulates the menstrual cycle. When inserting the menopause the estrogen level drops drastically.

Discomfort

The numerous complaints that may occur during menopause can be summarized under the term climacteric syndrome.

The most common complaints during menopause are hot flashes, sweats, loss of libido, atrophy of the vaginal skin with appropriate dryness, which can cause pain during intercourse to vaginal inflammation and bleeding. In particular, the nightly flashes and sweats can lead to sleep disturbances, which in turn may have mental changes result.

Other symptoms that may occur during menopause, are dizziness, increased fatigability, lethargy, palpitations, irritability, aggressiveness, nervousness, increased psychological vulnerability, mood swings to depression, decreased self-esteem, impaired memory, poor concentration, urinary incontinence, urethritis, cystitis, constipation, diarrhea, dry skin, dry mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes and nose, heart problems, weight gain, joint and muscle pain, hair loss on the head and increased hair growth on the face, prolonged menstruation ( up to four weeks). Many of these complaints disappear after menopause again.

Treatment

To alleviate the vegetative symptoms such as hot flashes, sufficient in many cases, treatment with plant preparations such as black cohosh, chasteberry, red clover or Siberian rhubarb, regular physical activity or relaxation techniques such as yoga.

There are scientific studies that suggest that melatonin may correct the neurovegetative complaints in the climacteric.

Benefits and harms of a local or systemic hormone treatment are controversial. Generally no indication other than a short-term symptomatic relief is seen for hormone treatment.

Ovary Major depressive disorder Hormone replacement therapy (menopause) Progesterone
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