Menopause disorders

Menopause disorders occur not only with the reproductive system and internal genital organs, but also with other organs and systems. This is primarily due to the specific hormonal background that a woman has throughout her life and which ensures the functioning of many systems. Therefore, menopause is, first of all, changes that do not pass without a trace for the entire body. Knowledge of the basic patterns of hormonal background regulation allows you to prevent the development of disorders at the onset of menopause.

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Causes menopausal disorders

When talking about the causes of menopause, it is necessary to understand the general hormonal changes in a woman's body during this period. Throughout her life, a woman has a specific hormonal background, which is determined by the concentration of the main female sex hormones - estrogens and gestagens (progesterone). These hormones do not immediately regulate the main processes of the body, because a woman undergoes changes throughout her life, and her entire body undergoes several successive stages of development. At first, the girl is in the neonatal period, when all systems and organs develop and begin to contact with the external environment. During this period, the ovaries already contain all the eggs, which are in a "dormant" position. Next is the period of childhood, then the period of sexual development, during which all secondary sexual characteristics develop and the girl matures to continue the race. Then the period of sexual maturity, which lasts about thirty years. Everything ends with menopause - the involution of the reproductive system. Menopause is a physiological process of changes in the female reproductive system, during which hormonal imbalances occur in the body and these changes affect many processes in the female body - the menstrual function, the activity of the nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract and the skeletal system, as well as the work of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, the most characteristic manifestations of hormonal imbalance are disruptions in the work of these organs. The process of menopause development should have its successive stages. The menopause period is conventionally divided into:

1. premenopause – the period from 45 years to the onset of menopause;
2. menopause – the period of the last menstruation, average age is about fifty years;
3. postmenopause – the period from the last menstruation until the end of a woman’s life.

All these periods are characterized by their own characteristics, which must be known in order to regulate the state of the body and know exactly when something is wrong.

Premenopause is a period characterized by a gradual decrease in the level of sex hormones. The pathogenesis of the development of disorders during menopause is associated with these initial changes. In this case, all changes occur at the level of the hypothalamus - the highest regulatory center. Involution of the hypothalamus is characterized by a gradual decrease in the sensitivity of the hypothalamus to the influence of estrogens, which disrupts its regulatory function according to the principle of feedback regulation. There is insufficient stimulation of the pituitary gland and the release of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones is disrupted, which leads to an anovulatory cycle without the release of an egg. At the same time, the level of pituitary hormones - follicle-stimulating and luteinizing - decreases, which disrupts their normal concentration and the first changes in menstruation can occur. The most specific changes occur in the ovaries in the form of follicle atresia, destruction of membranes, death of oocytes and preservation of only the stroma, which helps to reduce the amount of secreted estrogen. This in turn disrupts the feedback with the hypothalamus, which further increases the changes. Such disruptions of the hormonal function of the ovariomenstrual cycle are the main reason for the development of the following changes, which are continuously associated with the hormonal background.

Another cause of the development of disorders on the part of other organs is a violation of regulation. In this case, in the adrenal glands, as a compensatory reaction, the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline increases due to violations of the normal regulation of the function of peripheral organs by the hypothalamus. This contributes to the fact that disturbances in the functioning of the heart appear due to periods of release of catecholamines, which stimulate vasoconstriction and accelerate the heartbeat, which causes the corresponding symptoms. The processes of regulation of vascular tone are violated, which contributes to periods of spasm of peripheral vessels, an increase in peripheral resistance and an increase in arterial pressure.

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Pathogenesis

In the pathogenesis of disorders during menopause, disorders of the nervous system play a significant role. As is known, progesterone and estrogens ensure normal conduction of nerve impulses through the cell, and in a broader sense, they regulate the tone of the autonomic nervous system. Such regulation occurs at the level of all internal organs and ensures their normal functioning. In case of hormonal imbalances, the parasympathetic nervous system cannot inhibit the activity of the sympathetic, therefore, various disorders in the behavior and emotional activity of women during menopause are observed. Another mechanism of nervous activity disorders is the unevenness of excitation and inhibition processes in the central nervous system. Another system that suffers from hormonal imbalance is the digestive system, since the nervous regulation of digestive processes is disrupted and this is accompanied by diarrhea or constipation against the background of a labile nervous system. Secondary changes occur in the skeletal system, since a decrease in estrogen levels promotes the removal of calcium from the bones, disruption of its absorption in the intestines and the development of osteoporosis.

Thus, the only reason for the development of various disorders during menopause can be considered a sudden decrease in the level of estrogens, which entails other consequences. Therefore, in order to regulate and prevent any disorders during menopause, it is necessary for the hormonal decline to be gradual.

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Symptoms menopausal disorders

The symptoms of various disorders during menopause depend mainly on the rate of estrogen decline, so their severity may vary, which indicates the severity of menopause. Since a sharp hormonal decline disrupts the functioning of all internal organs and affects metabolism, symptoms can be observed from all sensitive organs and systems. Most often, the first signs of disorders during menopause are vasomotor and emotional-mental changes. A woman is concerned about irritability, mood swings, depression, decreased sexual desire, insomnia, fatigue. Also, vegetative manifestations can often be attacks of sweating, fever, headache and palpitations. These are, as a rule, the first clinical signs of the onset of premenopause. Such attacks can occur long before menstrual irregularities and are called "hot flashes". This can be considered the onset of menopause. Sleep disorders during menopause are also very often the first clinical symptoms. In this case, insomnia or a feeling of drowsiness in the morning may be observed.

Menstrual cycle disorders during menopause have the character of irregular menstruations - one month there are, and the next two are absent, and then they disappear altogether. There may also be heavy periods, and the next month there is no period. In this case, such a process from changes in menstruation to their complete disappearance takes about six months, no more.

Hormonal disorders during menopause also affect the development of symptoms from the cardiovascular system. The feeling of the heart stopping or, on the contrary, increased heartbeat, sweating, lability of blood pressure - all this is associated with estrogen deficiency, since the conduction of nerve impulses and the regulation of excitation and inhibition processes in the central nervous system are disrupted. The cardiovascular system also suffers due to hypercatecholaminemia, which is characterized by arrhythmias in the form of interruptions in the work of the heart, paroxysmal tachycardia. Arterial hypertension is promoted by sodium and water retention and an increase in the volume of circulating blood, which can cause symptoms in a woman in the form of annoying headaches, flickering midges before the eyes, nausea, and facial hyperemia.

Hormonal imbalance causes metabolic disorders during menopause in the form of hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia. This is an unfavorable sign and therefore ischemic heart disease and angina often develop during this period. In this case, symptoms appear in the form of pain in the heart area, behind the breastbone, which appear after physical exertion or stress and have a nagging, pressing character. Such symptoms require participation with correction of not only the hormonal background, but also with drug therapy of the pathology.

Another serious disorder occurs with bone tissue. A decrease in estrogen levels contributes to the removal of calcium from bones, disruption of its absorption in the intestines and the development of osteoporosis. This causes clinical manifestations in the form of pain in the legs, fatigue, muscle twitching.

Later changes in the internal organs during menopause are trophic changes in the urethra, which contribute to a burning sensation and frequent urination. Dry skin of the genitals, itching, and discomfort during sexual intercourse also occur. This contributes to the frequent development of urogenital infections, since the barrier function of vaginal mucus is disrupted.

The general condition of the body is suppressed, cell differentiation processes are reduced and skin aging occurs, wrinkles appear, nails and hair become dry and brittle, and hair loss occurs.

All these symptoms most often appear gradually, but it is necessary to monitor their dynamics, since it is necessary to correct hormonal levels in time and prescribe treatment.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of menopause disorders can be very serious and depend on the nature of the processes and symptoms that prevail. In the case of concomitant pathologies, complications of menopause disorders can be expressed in the form of stroke, myocardial infarction, hypertensive crisis. If the disorders of the skeletal system are very pronounced, pathological fractures are possible.

It is also important to note that hormonal imbalances can cause the development of such a process as uterine fibroids. This is a process that occurs when there is a discrepancy between the proliferative processes in the uterus under the influence of hormones. Therefore, regular preventive examinations are necessary to detect this disease.

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Diagnostics menopausal disorders

It is very important to establish a correct diagnosis of menopause disorders in a timely manner with timely treatment of the pathology. It is necessary to clearly differentiate the nature of functional disorders and their dependence on the onset of menopause, because for complex treatment it is necessary to take into account the correction of climacteric changes.

Often women do not know what to associate their condition with, so it is necessary to be attentive to this issue and not to exclude any symptoms as a manifestation of the climacteric period. First of all, it is necessary to begin diagnostics with a thorough collection of anamnesis. It is necessary to find out when such symptoms first appeared and whether this is associated with a delay in menstruation. It is necessary to find out what the nature of the symptoms is now, how the symptoms changed depending on the situation, and also to detail the patient's complaints. A feature of such disorders during menopause can be their multiple nature, that is, there can be symptoms from the heart and increased pressure with simultaneous changes in the nervous system, so it is important to collect anamnesis. If this is a routine examination by a gynecologist, then it is necessary to examine the woman on the chair, which allows identifying disorders in the form of dryness of the vaginal mucosa, pathological discharge, which can confirm the diagnosis. The tests that are necessary to clarify the diagnosis are general clinical and special. General ones are a blood test, a biochemical blood test with a lipidogram and kidney function indicators, a urine test. During menopause, due to the activation of the breakdown of fatty acids, an increase in triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins is possible. These substances can play a secondary role in the pathogenesis of various disorders during menopause and corresponding complaints about the heart or headaches, so it is important to determine this indicator. As for special tests, it is necessary to determine the level of the main female hormones in the blood. This is necessary not only for further treatment of menopause, but also to analyze the level of hormonal changes and the duration of the pathology. If a woman complains of pain in the muscles of the lower extremities or pain in the legs when walking, then it is necessary to determine the level of calcium and magnesium in the body, which will allow diagnosing bone tissue disorders during menopause in the form of osteoporosis.

Instrumental diagnostics of disorders during menopause is aimed at identifying the etiology and excluding other organic pathologies. Mandatory and special research methods are carried out. Among the mandatory methods is electrocardiography, which allows excluding cardiac pathology in case of concomitant symptoms from the heart. It is necessary to determine to what extent hormonal changes have affected the heart or whether the disorders are only at the functional level. Special methods are carried out to clarify the diagnosis for certain complaints. For example, in case of pronounced osteoporotic changes, densitometry can be carried out, and if high blood pressure prevails, a very informative method is daily monitoring of arterial pressure, which allows finding out the dependence of pressure lability on the release of hormones.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics of disorders during menopause should be carried out taking into account the conducting symptom and in order to exclude organic pathology. That is, first of all, it is necessary to establish a connection with menopause for successful treatment of pathology. If the main symptom is headaches and high blood pressure, then it is necessary to differentiate these changes from hypertension. With the help of differential diagnostics, it is necessary to establish the functional nature of such changes during menopause or hypertension. Then a simple measurement of blood pressure is not enough and it is necessary to conduct daily monitoring of blood pressure. In this case, each element of the increase in blood pressure is determined, which can be compared with possible etiological factors and episodes of headache. This method also allows you to exclude hypertension. Also, with hypertension, headaches have a slightly different character - they are localized in the occipital region and bother more in the morning, are well relieved by taking antihypertensive drugs, and changes in the anamnesis are also important.

Also, menopausal disorders need to be differentiated from coronary artery atherosclerosis in the case of cardiac symptoms.

Clear diagnostic tactics and careful differential diagnostics allow timely detection of any disorders during menopause and differentiation of this pathology from organic diseases for the purpose of timely treatment and improvement of the patient’s quality of life.

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Treatment menopausal disorders

Treatment of menopause disorders should also be preventive in nature to prevent the development of more serious symptoms. There are drug and non-drug treatments. Drug treatments are aimed at replacement therapy for hormone deficiency and at the same time at eliminating the patient's complaints and symptoms. Non-drug treatment is aimed at correcting hormonal imbalance on the one hand and at a preventive effect on the other. Therefore, the use of folk remedies is a priority only in the complex treatment of menopause and during remission.

First of all, in the treatment of any disorders during menopause, lifestyle correction plays a huge role, since the hormonal background depends on daily biorhythms and functionally affects the disorders.

1. It is necessary to eliminate bad habits, because smoking has a very negative effect on vascular tone, and nicotine further constricts blood vessels and can provoke problems such as headaches, palpitations, and shortness of breath.
2. Eliminate stress and tension, which lead to disruption of nervous activity and can increase functional disorders during menopause.
3. Normalization of sleep by means of a regimen of rest – it is necessary to go to bed at about the same time, to sleep at least 8-9 hours a day. It is necessary to carry out hygienic measures in the room where the woman sleeps – wet cleaning, airing, fresh linen – all this promotes rest at night and improves blood circulation in the vessels of the brain. Thanks to this, the symptoms of sleep disorders may disappear and the general emotional state of the woman improves.
4. Correction of the daily routine with normalization of the period of rest and work. It is necessary to precisely establish the rest regime after each work. This will help the body to distribute forces correctly and relieve stress with the prevention of various pathologies.
5. It is important to organize proper nutrition with dietary elements. It is necessary to exclude fatty foods, which burden the internal organs and contribute to the disruption of the metabolism of essential nutrients. It is also necessary to organize frequent fractional meals in small portions with the exclusion of simple carbohydrates and with a predominance of vegetable protein. It is necessary to eat at least 300 grams of fruits and vegetables per day. Also, do not forget about the drinking regime and drink clean water at least 1.5 liters. Such dietary recommendations are aimed primarily at normalizing the digestive function, as well as preventing problems with excess weight and associated changes in the lipid spectrum.
6. It is necessary to properly organize leisure time with dosed physical activity in the form of light jogging, swimming or simple walking. This will help regulate the work of the nervous system and prevent the development of metabolic disorders.

These are the main non-drug remedies that significantly reduce the risk of developing disorders during menopause if these recommendations are regularly followed. But at the same time, if the disorders have already occurred, it is necessary to carry out hormone replacement therapy with drugs. For this, you can use:

1. Triziston is a complex hormone replacement drug. This drug is produced in the pharmacological form of dragees of three colors, which are used according to a special scheme for three weeks, then a break for a week. The course of treatment is at least three to six months. Contraindications for prescribing the drug are malignant tumors of any localization, vascular pathology in the form of thrombosis in the anamnesis, hepatitis. It is necessary to use with caution in diabetes mellitus, since the drug can change glucose tolerance, as well as in arterial hypertension. Side effects may appear in the form of cholestasis, liver dysfunction, embolism, as well as allergic and dyspeptic reactions.
2. Logest is a drug containing estradiol and gestagen, is a high-dose drug, due to which its preventive role is manifested not only in the correction of hormonal levels, but also in the prevention of oncological diseases of the female reproductive system. The drug helps to level out hormonal imbalances and due to this, disorders during menopause are less pronounced. Logest is available in the pharmacological form of capsules, containing 21 pieces per package. It is necessary to start taking it from the first day of the cycle. It is possible to start taking it from the fifth day of the menstrual cycle in case of menopause in a woman. The course of administration is one capsule per day for three weeks, then a break for seven days, then you need to resume taking it. Side effects are possible from the gastrointestinal tract in the form of stool disorders, nausea, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, vomiting. There may also be asthenovegetative reactions, manifestations of hormonal treatment from the chest in the form of engorgement of the mammary gland, pain, discharge, and an increase in the secretion of vaginal secretions. Contraindications to the use of the drug for treatment are problems with blood clotting and a history of heart attack or stroke, malignant neoplasms, severe liver damage, damage to the pancreas and diabetes.
3. Magnefar is a drug that contains magnesium and pyridoxine, which helps normalize the conduction of nerve impulses along fibers and regulates vascular tone. Due to this effect, the drug has calming properties and helps normalize the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system. In addition, magnesium takes part in the metabolism of cellular elements and promotes energy synthesis. Magnesium also takes part in the metabolism of hormones, which is of priority importance during menopause. Therefore, the use of Magnefar during menopause allows you to regulate disorders of the nervous system, and also allows you to restore the normal level of trace elements and can be prescribed in the complex therapy of osteoporosis during menopause. Pyridoxine takes part in protein and carbon metabolism and improves the absorption of magnesium in cells. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of tablets of 500 milligrams and is taken in a dose of one tablet three times a day. The course of treatment is usually seven days, then you can take a prophylactic dose. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions, as well as changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Cardiovascular manifestations are possible in the form of heart rhythm disturbances, decreased blood pressure. Contraindications to taking the drug are pathology of the muscular system, arterial hypotension, and increased levels of magnesium in the blood.
4. Supradin is a complex vitamin preparation, which is recommended as a preventive and therapeutic vitamin remedy. Given the rich composition, the drug replenishes the reserves of not only vitamins, but also microelements, which allows it to be used as a preventive agent during menopause. The composition of the drug includes vitamins - A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9 B12, C, D, E, H, as well as microelements - magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, zinc, iron, molybdenum. Due to the complex action of calcium and magnesium, and vitamin C, normal nutrition of the skin and mucous membranes is restored, which reduces the severity of unpleasant sensations in the genital area. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of dragees and effervescent tablets. Take one tablet once a day, dissolving in a small amount of water. Side effects are not detected if the dose is observed, a change in urine color is possible due to the composition of the drug. Contraindications to taking the drug are elevated levels of any hormones, serious kidney and liver dysfunction. Precautions - do not combine with other vitamins.

Surgical treatment of menopause disorders is not used, since there are no special indications for such intervention. Organic changes during menopause in the form of concomitant uterine myoma may be an indication for surgical treatment under certain conditions.

It is important to carry out physiotherapy treatment along with medications. Magnetic therapy, laser therapy, and electrophoresis give a very good effect.

As a complex therapy, it is recommended to use vitamins of group B, C, A, preferably in combination in complex vitamin preparations.

Traditional treatment of menopausal disorders

Sometimes folk treatment of various disorders during menopause is a priority, since the constant use of hormonal medications is a little scary for women. In general, folk treatment is possible in any case, but sometimes hormonal drugs are simply necessary, so before any treatment it is necessary to consult a doctor. The folk treatment methods that are used are aimed at correcting hormonal homeostasis and the main ones are:

1. An effective way to normalize hormonal levels is to use walnut shells. Walnut tincture is prepared as follows: the membranes or shells are boiled for about five minutes in hot water, then the water is drained and half a glass of alcohol is poured in. This solution needs to be infused for about five to seven days, after which it can be taken one teaspoon twice a day, pre-diluted with boiled water in equal proportions. The course of treatment is twenty-one days.
2. Herbal decoction of currant leaves, nettle, burdock and meadowsweet - take a tablespoon of each herb, steam it in hot water and leave it for 20 minutes. It is necessary to take such a decoction half a glass on an empty stomach every day for at least two months to get the effect. Such a drink reduces the effect of reduced estrogen levels and regulates the normal functioning of internal organs.
3. Hop cones, valerian, linden, coriander, motherwort and oregano should be poured with a liter of hot water and after infusion, drink 2 teaspoons in the morning and evening. This solution calms the nervous system and improves neuromuscular conduction in the ganglia. This prevents disorders of the nervous system during menopause, which relieves the symptoms of vegetative-emotional manifestations and prevents vascular tone disorders.
4. Honey, as a natural source of nutrients and microelements that increase local immunity and stimulate regeneration, is widely used to treat pathologies of the female genital organs, including menopause. To create a medicine from honey, you need to make a solution of three tablespoons of honey, five drops of flaxseed oil and three tablespoons of boiled water and take a teaspoon twice a day, the course is 10 days. This remedy helps to normalize hormonal levels, which is also aimed at preventing disorders of local immunity and the development of vulvar candidiasis.

Homeopathic remedies are capable of not only correcting hormonal imbalance, but they can also be taken for preventive purposes, even if menopause does not have any special manifestations. It is also necessary to include these drugs in complex therapy, because the body responds well to such remedies.

1. Remens is a homeopathic drug that helps regulate hormonal imbalance during menopause by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary zone, and also has protective properties on myocardial cells and blood vessels. This prevents the development of cardiac dysfunction during menopause. The drug is available in the form of a solution and tablets. The medicine is used on the first and second day in an increased dose - one tablet or ten drops eight times a day, and then for three months in the same dose, but only three times a day. No side effects have been identified. Contraindications to taking Remens are hypersensitivity to individual components of the drug.
2. Ginekohel is a combined homeopathic remedy that has an effect on menopause disorders by normalizing the synthesis of estrogen and progesterone, which helps reduce the effects of deficiency of these hormones. The drug is available in drops and is dosed ten drops three times a day, can be dissolved in water or taken as a pure solution. Side effects are rare, but stool disorders, dyspeptic phenomena and allergic reactions may occur. No contraindications have been identified.
3. Klimakthel is a homeopathic remedy that has a composition similar to phytoestrogenic drugs and helps to normalize hormonal levels during menopause. The drug also reduces proliferative processes at the cellular level. Klimakthel is used in tablets, one tablet before meals or an hour after three times a day. The course of treatment with the drug is long - about two months. No side effects have been identified. Contraindications to taking Klimakthel are hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
4. Sigetin is a drug that is a synthetic analogue of the natural hormone estrogen, and allows you to replenish its supply during menopause. It has properties of both a tonic and a sedative. It has a good effect on the psychosomatic manifestations of menopause, as well as on the vegetative and psychological symptoms of menopause. Therefore, it can be used as an initial therapy at the first signs of the onset of disorders during menopause.
5. Cyclodinone is a combined homeopathic remedy that affects hormonal imbalances and restores estrogen deficiency. This drug is available in the pharmacological form of drops and tablets. You need to take one tablet per day, preferably in the morning, or 40 drops with the same frequency. The duration of treatment is about three months. Contraindications to taking the drug are acute infectious processes in the body.

Such a wide range of medications, not only medicinal, but also folk remedies, as well as homeopathic drugs, allows you to choose the necessary treatment and successfully correct changes in hormonal levels during menopause with the prevention of further disorders.

Forecast

The prognosis of menopause disorders depends on the moment of detection of the main symptoms and timely correction of the pathology. In general, with proper diagnosis and preventive measures, the menopause period can pass calmly without any special disorders. Therefore, it is important to adhere to preventive measures, which in this case may be non-specific. It is necessary to properly organize your daily routine with alternating periods of rest and work. You need to eat right, excluding all harmful foods and eating fruits and vegetables. Sleep is a necessary measure for health, its duration should be at least 8-9 hours. It is necessary to exclude stress in life and play sports, at least in the walking mode. It is also necessary to exclude bad habits and treat concomitant pathologies in the form of hypertension, because blood pressure control is very important for the prevention of complications during menopause, even if it is not accompanied by any other symptoms. Specific prevention can be carried out in the event of the first symptoms of menopause, then you can begin prophylactic intake of homeopathic remedies in order to regulate hormonal levels.

Menopause disorders can be expressed to varying degrees. Since this is a stage in the life of every woman that you just need to survive, you need to know the main features of this period in order to know when to take action. It is important to undergo preventive examinations with a doctor in order to diagnose pathology in a timely manner. If you want to survive this period without problems, you need to discuss with your doctor the issue of preventing the development of menopause disorders, because this is always better than treatment with medications.

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