The obstetrician-gynecologist named the symptoms accompanying menopause

Menopause is the last independent menstruation. This period is characterized by a gradual decrease and then "shutdown" of ovarian function. An obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, and a leading specialist in the Semeynaya clinic network, Maria Bakhmetyeva, told Izvestia on March 2 about the specifics of this process.

The average age of menopause is 49-51 years. At the same time, about 75% of women aged 45-55 years may experience symptoms of menopausal syndrome: most often these are hot flashes, sleep disorders, sweating. Such complaints are most pronounced in the early years of postmenopause, the expert added.

"In different women, the individual stages of this process may vary in duration and are accompanied by various symptoms, such as vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, chills, sweating), bone loss (osteoporosis), genitourinary menopausal syndrome, and risks of cardiovascular diseases," said Bakhmetyeva.

Speaking about osteoporosis, she noted that this symptom is most often associated with estrogen deficiency. Estrogens are the main hormone that is produced in the follicles in the ovaries.

"The lack of estrogen leads to changes in bone metabolism, and the process of bone destruction begins: estrogens activate bone synthesis, peaking at age 30, and processes that contribute to bone destruction are suppressed. And if at the age of 50, osteoporosis is detected in 34% of women, then at the age of 75 — in 40%," explained the endocrinologist.

The gynecologist added that along with this, a decrease in calcium absorption and vitamin D deficiency can lead to parathyroid gland dysfunction.

"All this can create conditions for reducing bone strength and fractures with minimal stress on the skeleton. Fractures of the femoral neck and the lower third of the forearm are especially common, and pain occurs in the joints and lumbar region," the doctor warned.

In addition, she spoke about the genitourinary menopausal syndrome (GUMS).

"Dryness of the vaginal mucosa, urinary incontinence, itching in the genital area, pain during sexual intercourse. These symptoms may be manifestations of GUMS, which is characteristic during the perimenopausal transition and postmenopause. A large number of estrogen receptors are found in the vaginal mucosa and urethra. Therefore, with a decrease in their number, the mucous membrane becomes sensitive to stimuli (for example, sexual intercourse), and the mucous membrane becomes thinner," said Bakhmetyeva.

With a deficiency of estrogens, the vaginal microflora is disrupted, as the pH changes, as a result of which the opportunistic flora multiplies, which causes complaints such as itching, burning in the genitals, and discharge with an unpleasant odor, the expert added.

"If you have any complaints, you should consult a gynecologist. To cope with the effects of estrogen deficiency, hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed to menopausal and postmenopausal women," the expert concluded.

Earlier, on February 21, Anastasia Sokolova, a gynecologist at the SM Clinic Center for Reproductive Health, told Izvestia which products it is recommended to exclude or limit during pregnancy. These include raw or undercooked meat, fish, and eggs. Their danger lies in the fact that they can contain bacteria and parasites that can cause serious illnesses and lead to miscarriage or premature birth.