World over, middle-aged women consult for symptoms and signs which are diagnosed as menopausal syndrome. Headache chest pain, palpitations, flushing, restlessness, feeling hot over ears, these are the typical symptoms which women feel around menopause and sometimes till few months after it. Technically, menopause is the time of cessation of menses in any woman. Actual cessation is a one point episode when the individual will not get her menses on the scheduled time. But changes in the hormonal levels and some features begin earlier. For some women, this is just as a disturbance in their routine, but in some the symptoms may be so severe that they have to take bed rest and treatment. Apart from these troubles, mental problems like depression and anxiety are also experienced by women at this age. There are many factors responsible for these psychic problems. Reduced physical attraction, supposed or real neglect by husband, growing children getting less dependant over mother, diminished physical strength due to chronic anemia, osteoporosis should, are some of these factors. Diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, heart problems also start this time and contribute to the sickness and anxiety. Women aged 40 and above must be mentally prepared for menopause. This way, the physical symptoms occurring due to hormonal changes would not bother them. Women should view this stage of life positively. Children getting less dependant on them should be considered as a sign that they are growing up and are responsible. A middle-aged or older man would be in the prime of his life and would be too busy to give her time. Love can be seen in small acts of care, instead of the romantic-evenings-out notion. Wrinkling of face or graying of hair should be accepted as normal changes with increasing age and should not be the reason for causing depression in a woman. Best way to keep away the, “blues” of menopause for any woman is to take up useful creative hobbies or work to keep one occupied physically and mentally. A woman can help others in the family and society by teaching them what good she has learnt from her life time experiences, for their betterment. A balanced diet keeps away weakness and early fatigue. Iron and calcium supplements taken are also useful as the body’s requirement of iron and calcium increases around menopause. Menopause can cause much enjoyment or depression, depending on how one accepts it. Dr Pande is a specialist ininternal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital
