Menopause (climacteric period, post menopause)

The menopause, also called the change of life, is defined as the end of the last menstrual period. Frequently, the expressions climacteric period and menopause are being confused. The term 'climacteric' refers to the period of menopausal transition. Menopause has been defined as the point in time of the last menstrual bleeding in a woman's life. This usually occurs between the age of 45 and 65.

During this time, the most significant metabolic change is the declining production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries. This has extensive consequences for the physical and mental health.

Typical physical symptoms for the menopause are sweating, hot flashes, insomnia and restlessness. In addition, the hormonal imbalance influences skin and bones. Many women suffer from dry, cracked skin and osteoporosis.

Aside from physical ailments, the psychological strain of a hormonal imbalance must not be underestimated. The adverse effects can range from depressive moods to severe depressions.

To counteract the symptoms of menopause, it is often advisable to take hormone therapy. The type of medication applied depends mostly on the individual situation of the patient. Depending on the intensity of symptoms and personal preferences, we can regulate hormonal imbalances and thus relieve the symptoms by applying either hormonal or non-hormonal options (alternative or complementary therapies or natural remedies). Recent studies show that there is an increased risk of women developing blood clots (e.g. venous thrombosis) when undergoing hormone therapy (estrogen and progesterone), and breast cancer. To make an informed decision, the pros and cons of hormone therapy must be weighed carefully and individually. For women with severe symptoms of menopause, a hormone therapy is justified. In rare cases, an androgen therapy may be beneficial to climacteric women.

Even if nearly everything seems to revolve around the changes menopause brings to women, men too are not spared from this phenomenon. Very much like the menopause women experience, the causes for male menopause are also an imbalanced hormone production. The drop of the body's testosterone levels can lead to decreased physical strength, sexual dysfunction and psychological problems. Here too, the symptoms can be alleviated by prescribing appropriate medications, thus easing the discomfort of menopause.