Menopause in women

Any woman with fear and foreboding expects menopause. Many believe that this is almost the end of his life. In fact, menopause is a certain stage of life, and it will have to overcome each. If you look, the menopause in women is not such a terrible event in the life, on the contrary, it opens up new possibilities that previously women were denied. Adult children, equipped facilities, beloved and dear husband, and most importantly, the absence of fear of unwanted pregnancy. At this age, a woman has plenty of spare time she can spend on yourself and your hobbies. And let's say that menopause - is aging, but then, how much more time ahead, it is important to be able to overcome the possible troubles associated with this period.

Menopause

In fact, menopause and menopause (menopause) are synonymous. But in terms of gynecologists, menopause is one of the stages of menopause. When they say "menopause" refers to the last menstrual period, which took place a year ago. Accordingly, menopause sets in retrospect. The average age of menopause is in the range of 48-52 years, that is about it for 50 years. If menopause began 45 years earlier, talking about early menopause, in the case of cessation of menstruation before 40 years - on premature menopause. The main characteristic of the menopause is a complete cessation of production of female sex hormones, thus causing the characteristic symptoms of menopause. Time menopause is quite difficult to predict, but this process is influenced by several factors:

• the number of births and abortions;
• chronic physical illness;
• the presence of stress;
• transferred gynecological surgery;
• heredity;
• ecology;
• infectious diseases in puberty Puberty child - stages of a complex path ;
• Chemotherapy and more.

Symptoms of Menopause

All the symptoms that occur during menopause are associated with a lack of estrogen. The reproductive period of a woman's life is constantly estrogens affect various organs and tissues, interacts with specific estrogen receptors. These receptors are located in the uterus and breast, and in the urethra in the bladder, vagina and the cells in the muscles of the pelvic floor, in the brain, heart and arteries, bone and skin and so on. Accordingly, the deficit on the background of the female genital organs in the menopause can occur pathological conditions mentioned organs and tissues. By the nature of all manifestations of symptoms can be divided into three groups:

• The first group

In this group there are neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular symptoms. The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flushes to the head and upper body, excessive sweating, and irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease?   And so on. In addition, developing such disease states as senile (age) colpitis Colpitis - take a lot of trouble , Urethrocystitis, kraurosis and atrophy of the vulva. Later, as a result of metabolic changes align osteoporosis, "dry" conjunctivitis, pain in the bladder and in the joints. By the number of hot flashes in menopause are three forms. Easy form is characterized by the presence of up to ten hot flashes per day. The average form - tides up to 10-20 times a day, and expressed other symptoms: headache, dizziness, chest pain, worsening of general condition. Severe expressed in very frequent hot (more than 20 times a day) with the addition of the symptoms that lead to significant disability.

• The second group

This disorder, which occur in two to five years after the last menstrual period. These include changes in the urogenital system, skin and its appendages (hair, nails). Urogenital disorders are manifested by itching of the vulva, burning and dryness of the vagina, pain during intercourse. Often, atrophy of muscles of the pelvic floor, which leads to a prolapse of genitals and stress urinary incontinence. Deficiency of collagen in the connective tissue promotes the appearance of wrinkles on the skin. Hair and nails become brittle and fade.

• The third group

It later metabolic disorders, such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is associated with increased excretion of calcium in the urine, causing the bones to become brittle, increasing the risk of fractures.

Menopause in men

When talking about menopause imply problems associated with it, which occur only in females. But lately, more and more scientists are engaged in menopause and men are trying to find ways to overcome it. Many men do not know or do not want to recognize the onset of their menopause. Certain stereotypes in society, do not allow men to see a doctor, to overcome the so-called mid-life crisis. Men brought up as a strong floor, they need to be healthy to support a family, a career, and to procreate children. And few men, as in other matters, and women know that timely access to andrologu help avoid many of the hassles associated with menopause.

What is male menopause

Male menopause, or andropause - a decrease in production of male sex hormones, particularly testosterone. If menopausal women is associated with the cessation of menstruation due to a sharp decline in estrogen production by the ovaries, the male menopause is shown a gradual decrease in testosterone synthesis. Testosterone increases sharply in adolescence, but after 25 years it begins to decrease the synthesis. And reduces lifelong. Male menopause starts between the ages of 55-60 years and can last up to 70. If menopausal symptoms occur in men 55 years earlier, talking about early andropause if symptoms occur after 60 - a late andropause. Also highlights the pathological and physiological andropause. Pathological andropause is characterized by disruption of the cardiovascular and urogenital systems.

The causes of andropause

The main cause of male menopause is associated with physiological aging. But there are several factors that trigger the onset of andropause, and at an earlier age. These include:

• inflammatory diseases of the genital organs (orchitis, epididymitis);
• tumors and vascular sclerosis of the testicles;
• radiation;
• alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking and poor diet;
• chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension);
• constant stress and depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood ;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• irregular sexual life;
• surgical castration.

Clinical manifestations of menopause in men

The main complaint of men with the andropause - a decrease in sexual desire and sexual activity, which is associated with a decrease in testosterone production. Often, the male menopause develops BPH, which manifests itself in violation of urination and ejaculation. Irregular and rare sexuality aggravates symptoms of menopause in men. In severe cases, may develop erectile dysfunction (impotence). In some men, there is rapid ejaculation, and shortening of the coitus. The volume of ejaculate and sperm count decreases. There is also a manifestation of male menopause include disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system: fatigue, depression, irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Weakening of attention, insomnia, decreased performance and increased sweating. Often there are hot flushes, pain in the heart, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. Men celebrate muscle weakness due to loss of muscle mass. Appearance is also changing: there is laxity of the skin and muscles in the buttocks and thighs begins to store fat, possibly breast enlargement (gynecomastia).

Diagnosis of menopause in men

The doctor-andrologist collects complaints and finds history (presence of diseases and operations on the genitals). If necessary, the consultations shall urologist, internist, neurologist and psychiatrist. After inspection appointed additional studies (ultrasound of the prostate, the determination of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects   and testosterone Five myths about testosterone , Blood sugar).

Treatment of male menopause

First the doctor will recommend a specific diet (rich in fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products), avoiding harmful habits and physical exercises. Not least in the treatment of menopause in men engage in regular sexual activity with direct stimulation of the genitals. If necessary, appointed sedatives and tranquilizers. Good effect has androgen hormone replacement therapy.