Menopause is physiologic or iatrogenic (due to a medical procedure) cessation of menses due to decreasing ovarian function. Pre- and Post menopausal syndrome refers to various symptoms 4-5 years before, during and after menopause.
Menopause is a natural biological process. However the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause can lead to sleep disorder, fatigue or depression. Diagnosis of pre- and post menopausal syndrome is made primarily by clinical evaluation. Test for FSH levels is rarely needed.
The whole menopausal process includes perimenopause and postmenopause.
Perimenopause: This period may last 4-5 years or longer. Patients may experience symptoms and signs of menopause even they are still menstruating. The hormonal levels fluctuate at this time.
Postmenopause: It begins one year after the last period. The years that follow are called postmenopause. Estrogen levels decrease and no progesterone is produced by the ovaries.
Perimenopausal changes in menstruation usually begin during a woman’s 40s. Menstrual flow and cycle length can vary. Menses become irregular, then are skipped. Large daily fluctuations in estrogen levels usually begin at least 1 year before menopause and are believed to be the cause of perimenopausal symptoms. Symptoms can last from 6 months to over 10 years after menopause and range from nonexistent, mild to severe. Symptoms include:
Vasomotor symptoms: Hot flushes (flashes) and sweating due to vasomotor instability usually begin before menses stop. The episodic flush, which may last from 30 sec to 5 min, may be followed by chills. Flushes may manifest during the night as night sweats.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms: Neuropsychiatric changes (e.g., poor concentration, memory loss, depression, anxiety) may accompany menopause but are not directly related to decreased estrogen. Recurrent night sweats can contribute to insomnia, fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration.
Genital symptoms: Decreased estrogen leads to vaginal and vulvar dryness and thinning, which may result in atrophic vaginitis. Atrophy may cause irritation, dyspareunia, and dysuria and may increase vaginal pH. The labia minora, clitoris, uterus, and ovaries decrease in size.
Other: Risk of osteoporosis increases because estrogen is decreased.
According to the theory of Chinese Medicine the perimenopausal and post menopausal syndromes are the results of declined kidney essence and Tian Gui (heavenly essence), imbalance of yin and yang, dysfunction of heart, liver, spleen and kidney. The conditions may be triggered or worsened by emotional disturbance, multiparity, chronic illness, poor nutrition, inadequate physical exercise, and overstrain.
For decades, hormone therapy was a widely used treatment for menopausal symptoms. However concerns that hormones may increase their risk of stroke, blood clots, heart attack and breast cancer make many women turn to more natural treatments, such as acupuncture and herbs, to help with their menopausal symptoms.
Many clinical studies found that acupuncture may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes although most current available studies did not support that acupuncture and herbal medicines directly increase level of female hormones in women with menopausal symptoms. Chinese herbal medicines and acupuncture are effective in managing the symptoms of menopause. They may benefit the smooth transition of the menopausal process by helping the body adapt to a lower level of hormones in the system.
Dr. Jinhua Xie was a former consultant physician and specialist of bone mineral and menopausal care in the teaching hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China. In 1999 Dr. Xie completed a Postgraduate Program on post-menopausal osteoporosis and bone mineral care in the School of Medicine, the University of Western Australia, Australia. Based on his research and clinical experience Dr. Xie developed an effective non-drug solution involving acupuncture, magnet therapy, dietary therapy, exercise and Chinese herbal medicines to help many women achieve a smooth transition toward a healthy and natural menopause. Please contact Dr. Xie (Dr. J) at (847) 630-8798 for details.
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