The main three stages of menopause are: perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. During the first stage, hormone levels decline and menstrual cycles become irregular and unpredictable. Menstrual periods also become shorter and lighter and less frequent. By the age of fifty-one, ovaries stop releasing eggs and the second stage begins. During post-menopause, bleeding can continue only if it is caused by polyps, uterine fibroids or endometrial cancer.
The main body systems impacted by menopause are the muscular, reproductive, immune, endocrine and nervous systems. The main symptoms include: amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods), dry skin, night sweats, tender breasts, irritability, weak bones, having trouble focusing on tasks at hand, weight gain around the midsection (menopause belly), impaired verbal learning, forgetfulness, delayed verbal processing, reduced verbal memory, dizziness, cold hands, fatigue, memory lapses, decreased wakefulness, mental fuzziness, lowered attention span, nausea, migraines, decreased ability to exercise, emotional ups and downs and low energy levels. Other symptoms entail: reduced collagen in the face, decreased skin elasticity, wrinkles, sagging, fine lines (around the cheeks, neck and jawline), decreased sex-hormone levels and low levels of B vitamins (especially vitamin B2 and B6) in the body.
During menopause, women are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome which includes: high blood pressure, aneurysms, high blood sugar, heart disease, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Menopause can also cause: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, mood changes, urinary tract infections and changes in quality of life. Moreover, it can also lead to: osteoporosis, vasomotor symptoms, sexual dysfunction, urogenital atrophy, cognitive decline, cancer, mental health issues and dangerously low levels of estrogen in the body. For help in Women’s health look to https://eccomedical.com/.