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The Onset Of Menopause
Physiologically, menopause is simply a biologic marker of the end
of fertility and menstruation. It occurs at the age of approximately
50 years; but that's only an approximation; it happens earlier for
some women and later for others. And it is the direct result of a
decrease in levels of the hormone oestrogen, which occurs when the
ovaries stop functioning fully.
One of the first signs of declining oestrogen levels most women
experience is a change in their menstrual cycle. Menstrual periods
may come less frequently or more frequently, until they finally stop
altogether. In hysterectomized women, oestrogen deficiency is not
marked by changes in menstruation. However, the presence of typical
discomforts is a reliable method of diagnosis.
Hot flushes and night sweats are comon early symptoms of oestrogen
deficiency. For some women, thay are just a mildly uncomfortable
nuisance. For others, though, these symptoms can be so severe and
occur so frequently that they intefere with their daily lives and
make getting a good night's sleep difficult.
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