Menopause is not an illness but a natural and inevitable phase that every woman encounters in her life. It is the stage when the ovaries cease to function, certain hormones stop being produced, and the menstrual cycle comes to an end.
The interruption of this cycle is characterized by significant changes in a woman’s body and does not always occur as if someone suddenly switched off a light: in some cases, it happens gradually, while in others, it may occur overnight. Not all women go through menopause in the same way. Some experience all the symptoms, some only a few, and others may go through menopause without even noticing anything.
The Center
To address these changes and prevent potential health issues, it is important for women to receive proper medical care. This is why the Paideia International Hospital has established the multidisciplinary Menopause Centre. A team of medical professionals comprising:
- Gynecologist
- Orthopedic specialist
- Urologist
- Physiotherapist
- Nutritionist
- Cardiologist
- Endocrinologist
- Aesthetic doctor
The multidisciplinary Menopause Centre at Paideia International Hospital offers a personalized path that begins with an initial gynecological visit where all the patients’ needs are assessed, and various therapies are proposed based on the identified issues.
For issues not strictly gynecological, the patient is guided through the continuation of the path and entrusted to highly specialized personnel depending on the identified problem.
The comprehensive and personalized assessment may include tests such as bone density measurement (BMD), specialized visits to allow an in-depth evaluation of specific issues, such as joint problems, cardiac or gynecological disorders, and provide targeted treatments and advice on health management.
Not all women go through menopause in the same way. That is why the approach to menopause cannot be the same for everyone but needs to be tailored, like a “made-to-measure” garment. It is important for women to know that they are not alone in facing this delicate moment but that there are professionals available who can offer support and appropriate care.
At what age does menopause occur?
The first signs of ovarian sluggishness can occur around the age of 40, often accompanied by premenstrual syndrome (mood swings/water retention-swelling/emotional hypersensitivity/breast tension/headache), and with gradually shorter menstrual cycles (usually every 24-26 days), with a lighter flow.
As we enter the actual pre-menopausal phase, where hormones begin to undergo significant changes, we may experience 2 cycles in a month or cycles that do not occur for months, along with either heavy or very light menstrual flows.
This phase requires gynecological monitoring as hormonal fluctuations can lead to an increased risk of developing endometrial polyps, ovarian formations, and breast hyperstimulation.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
This delicate phase is characterized by the onset of various symptoms — some bothersome yet temporary, while others may persist over time.
The decrease in estrogen levels leads to several physical and psychological changes: hot flashes, irritability, difficulty sleeping at night with typical nocturnal awakenings, emotional hypersensitivity, a feeling of accelerated heartbeat (especially in the evening), anxiety, depression, susceptibility to panic attacks, urinary incontinence, memory decline, a sense of a foggy mind, decreased concentration, night sweats, dryness and/or itching of the vulva and/or vagina, headaches, recurrent cystitis and/or vaginitis, joint and/or bone and/or muscle pain, fatigue and lethargy, decreased libido (particularly difficulty initiating intercourse), thinning, thinning, and/or hair loss, drastic thinning of the skin, accelerated aging, and nail fragility.
There is also a redistribution of body fat, with changes in physical appearance and a tendency towards weight gain. Weight gain of 5 to 10 kg, especially in the abdominal area, is very difficult to remove.
Attention should be paid to cardiovascular risk factors that may manifest: cholesterol, which was previously used to produce hormones, now remains in excess, and if the liver does not have a good ability to eliminate it (genetic predisposition), one may end up with higher cholesterol levels in the blood. It is necessary to monitor blood glucose levels, insulin levels, triglyceride levels, and thyroid hormones.
Moreover, especially for those with a family predisposition, the famous “typically female low blood pressure,” with the absence of “female” hormones, can begin to rise. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or other feelings of general discomfort indicate the need to check blood pressure.
