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photo credit: Ed Yourdon

The causes of menopause are either physiological or pathological. The physiological cause simply means that for a woman that her body is starting to go through the process of menopause for a natural reason which is quite normal. On the other hand a pathological cause means that a woman is starting to go through the process of menopause due to a medical condition which has led to a loss of ovarian function.

This loss of ovarian function prematurely pushes a woman’s body into menopause as hormonal support is gradually withdrawn from the body. Hormones control the initial development and release of the egg as well as initiating changes in the uterus to support a pregnancy such as building up a supply of blood. Additionally hormones aid in keeping collagen and elastin present in the skin as well as supporting physical and physiological processes which happen each month.

Pathological factors which can prematurely hasten menopause are conditions such as, extreme emotional stress, malnutrition, debilitation, reproductive tract tumours, a surgical procedure such as hysterectomy, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, or any other surgical procedure that can cause a loss of blood supply to the ovaries.

Once the ovarian function declines and the woman’s body reduces the natural functions surrounding ovulation then she is thrown first into peri menopausal, or pre menopause symptoms and then into menopause itself.

In normal physiological menopause the decline in function with the ovaries and symptoms of menopause are usually due to age. As the hormonal levels decrease the woman finds out her menstrual cycles become unpredictable, may last longer or shorter, and may be lighter or heavier than usual. These are menopause symptoms and the first signs of the start of approaching menopause.

Naturally these menopausal symptoms can bring an onset of depression, so if you are suffering from the above symptoms and some associated depression you may find menopause relief psychological support from a group of people suffering the same symptoms, helpful.

The first stage as I previously mentioned is peri menopause. There are actually three stages and the process is gradual and permanent. Peri menopause is the stage when you experience hot flushes and your menstrual cycle goes a bit pear shaped. The stage lasts for several years until the ovaries actually stop releasing eggs. During the last couple of years of the process there is a sudden decrease in estrogen.

In the second stage, which is actually menopause itself, is when a woman has her final menstrual period. Once this has happened for 12 consecutive months the normal diagnosis is menopause.

The latter stage is called post menopause. These are at the years following the diagnosis of menopause. By this time the hot flushes and depression should be well past, however they are are risks for women associated with the loss of estrogen during these years and they should seek regular medical consultation with their general practitioners. One condition which seems to affect women more than men is osteoporosis.

One word of warning though for a woman who starts to experience the symptoms of premature menopause before they are 39. If this applies to you be sure to be fully evaluated by your physician, in case there are any potential medical conditions that are causing the early onset of symptoms.

For further information and help with menopause symptoms click here.


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