Menopause is a rite of passage that many women either mourn or celebrate. The reasons behind the emotions are as varied as the women that have them. Most women are not truly prepared for the changes that take place during menopause; and some women are not aware of the magnitude of the changes to come. Unlike the rite of passage for young women into puberty, where the changes in her body are openly explained and celebrated; that kind of conversation and celebration does not happen for most women transitioning into midlife. Sadly, that lack of communication leaves some women in the dark about the emotional and physiological changes their bodies will experience. Unfortunately, during menopause, some women will experience additional life …show more content…
The first stage, perimenopause, begins around 40 years old or as early as 30years old; it’s at this point hormones begin to fluctuate and a woman’s menstrual cycle becomes erratic and irregular. The condition of menses may change in duration and volume of blood flow, also decreased fertility will begin with fluctuating ovulation, pregnancy may still be possible if menstruation has not stopped for twelve months. The cessation of the menstrual cycle for twelve months is known as menopause, which is the next stage; this stage usually begins between 45 - 55 years old. Menopause is characterized by physiological changes in decreased estrogen, leading to vaginal dryness, thinning, and elasticity. Hot flashes are different for each woman, they start in the chest, and rise to the head, and the fluctuations in estrogen cause the blood vessels to dilate quickly, bringing about a rise in body temperature. Night sweats, and chills, which are caused by hot flashes are another symptom of menopause as well as weight gain, thinning hair, coarse facial hair, lack of focus, anxiety, sleep disturbances, joint aches and pain, mood swings, and depression are other symptoms of menopause. Post menopause is the final stage in menopause, checking the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is a way of determining post menopause. In this stage a woman’s energy may return as the symptoms of menopause fade …show more content…
During midlife, metabolism decreases as well a muscle mass, without weight training to maintain muscle the body does not burn calories efficiently. The tendency to be less active during midlife while taking on more calories leads to weight gain and lethargy. Exercising increases the cardio and respiratory function, therefore regular exercise may reduce the physiologic responses to waning estrogen. It will reduce LDL, triglycerides, and fibrinogen, and increases HDL, further benefits include lowered risk of blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. Low impact exercise and strength training may increase bone density and help prevent osteoporosis. Increased movement may offset joint aches and pains, and improve mood
Medcohealth. Women and Aging: Our lives due change (2002). Retrieved November 18, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.medcohealth.com
Menopause, also know as “the change” is a normal stage in the life cycle of aging women. During menopause a women’s body slowly produces less of the two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen promotes the normal development of the female breast and uterus, controls the ovulation cycle, and affects women’s physical and emotional health, while progesterone controls menstruation and prepares the lining of the uterus to receive the fertilized egg.
Although Osteoporosis cannot be cured, treatments to prevent Osteoporosis, such as exercising, may be taken into consideration. “Exercise during the age when bone growth is occurring increases bone density, while increased weight-bearing exercise after the age of peak bone density acts mainly by reducing expected bone loss.” Because both younger and older adults should always be exercising, the result for increased bone mass varies between these two different age groups (young and old).
14- Dutt. P, Chaudhary SR, et al. Oral health and menopause: a comprehensive review on current knowledge and associated dental management. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research (2013); 3(3): 320-323.
The menstrual cycle occurs in the uterus and the ovary as a part of making sexual reproduction possible. The menstrual cycle is a monthly occurrence and happens so the ovary can produce eggs and the uterus can get ready for an egg becoming fertilized. (Wikipedia) The menstrual cycle is a complex cycle and is controlled by hormones produced by many different glands. The hypothalamus causes the pituitary gland to produces chemicals which then cause the ovaries to produce the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Each gland and structure is affected by the activity of another which is a biofeedback . The menstrual cycle has been assumed to last around 28 days and happens in four stages, the menstrual phase (day 1-5), follicular phase (day 1-13), ovulation phase (day 14) and the luteal phase (day 15-28). The day count for the menstrual cycle starts on the first day that the blood comes out of the vagina. (Women’s Health)
Some women have real issues with age, and menopause is a landmark time that typically marks the end of middle age.
Many women in midlife feel that they have hit their stride and they feel confident and assertive, but often women can feel less attractive sometimes too. Physical development in midlife is a continuation of the gradual changes already underway in early adulthood. Middle age adults do beome much more aware of aging and there's more that can be done to promote physical valor and good health during midlife. 57 year old Janet teaches dance for children and adults. She has been teaching dance for the past 40 years now. Janet reflects on the aging process in her interview and states that she is very aware that her body has changed. Janet says when she was very young, she was more limber and she could bend all the way back and put her head against her rear end. She says she has lost some of her flexibility and it really makes her mad. she says, ''you see young dancers that can do all the jumps and I can't do the same anymore. It bothers me.'' She doesn't want to lose her physical and mental abilities and she says it's a fear that she is fighting. To stay healthy and maintain her good health, she says she reads Prevention magazing, does Chinese herbs, tries to eat healthy, doesn't drink coffee and she doesn't smoke or drink alcohol neither. She says, ''facing the reality of aging is difficult, but you have
Most people can live their near-normal life span or die. Women tend to have a better outlook than men, but 20% undergoes rapid progression and another 20% still experience symptoms. There are different treatment options available, which include 10 FDA-approved disease-modifying drugs that slow the progression of the disease by reducing the number of ne...
Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.
Ageing is a continuing life cycle, it is an ongoing developmental event that brings certain changes in one’s own psychological and physical state. It is a time in one's own life where an elderly individual reminisce and reflect, to bask and live on previous accomplishments and begin to finish his life cycle. There is a significant amount of adjusting that requires an elderly individual to be flexible and develop new coping skills to adapt in the changes that are common in their new life. (Dhara & Jogsan, 2013).
Some health concerns come with aging into middle adulthood. Physical changes that one might see is that of gray and thinning hair, wrinkles,
Gremeaux, Vincent, Mathieu Gayda, Romuald Lepers, Philippe Sosner, Martin Juneau, and Anil Nigam. "Exercise and Longevity." Maturitas 73.4 (2012): 312-17.ScienceDirect. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
One of the best ways in how people can improve their overall mood, keep their bones healthy and even live longer, is by being an active person. Fred DeVito stated that “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn 't change you”; however most people just want exercise just to have a fit body and be healthier without knowing great results. Other effects that exercise has into the body are normalization of glucose, insulin and leptin levels. In other words not only will it make the appearance in a person’s life to look great, but their entire body will have an extraordinary response. In order to have a more fulfilling and enjoyable life, those who are out of shape should participate in regular fitness schedule reginert.
Another thing exercise does to help your body is combats health conditions and diseases. Exercising, no matter what your current weight is, makes the HDL or High- Density Lipoprotein, which is the cholesterol in your body that is good, increase. Also the unhealthy triglycerides decrease when you exercise. These things help the blood run more smooth and in turn, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise also helps reduce heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and many other diseases found in the body. (mayoclinic.com)