THE MENOPAUSE (WHEN WOMEN STOP HAVING PERIOD)

THE MENOPAUSE (WHEN WOMEN STOP HAVING PERIOD)     

The menopause or climacteric is the time in a woman’s life when the menstrual periods stop coming. After menopause, she can no longer bear children. In general, this ‘change of life’ happens between the ages of 40 and 50. The periods often become irregular for several months before they stop completely.

There is no reason to stop having sex during or after the menopause. But a woman can still become pregnant during this time. If she does not want to have more children, she should continue to use birth control for twelve months after her periods stop.

When menopause begins, a woman may think she is pregnant. And when she bleeds again after three or four months, she may think she is having a miscarriage. If a woman of 40 or 50 starts bleeding again after some months without, explain to her that it may be menopause.

During menopause, it is normal to feel many discomforts, anxiety, distress, ‘hot flashes’ (suddenly feeling uncomfortably hot), pains that travel all over the body, sadness, etc. After menopause is over, most women feel better again.

Women who have severe bleeding or a lot of pain in the belly during menopause, or who begins to bleed again after the bleeding has stopped for months or years, should seek medical help. An examination is needed to make sure they do not have cancer or another serious problem.

After menopause, a woman’s bones may become weaker and break more easily. To prevent this, it helps to eat foods with calcium.

Because she will not have any more children, a woman may be more free now to spend time with her grandchildren or to become more active in the society.