Many can be said about the progression of the cycles of womanhood – the menarche, menstruation, coming of age, pregnancy – but (when baby boomers finally reach the ripened stage of being sexagenarians) none has been getting as much ambivalence as the onset of menopause.

Menopause means “the culmination of all monthly cycles”. Fear it or celebrate it, truth is, menopause will arrive: for some, later, for some, sooner, especially for those who had their menarche very early. In the basic sense, menopause occurs when menstruating finally stops: the release of the eggs ready for fertilization by the ovaries – as well as the subsequent processes of the thickening of the uterine walls and the shedding of blood to cleanse the lining of the uterus – permanently ends. Though the window period can be indefinite, menopause can be declared to have finally occurred when the female in question has maintained the state of non-menstruation for within a year.

It is during this period that women experience evident signs of discomfiture, possibly because of hormonal imbalance. Much like pregnancy, menopause also has its share of signs and symptoms: there are reports of sensations such as hot flushes (temporary but sudden increase of temperature, which could trigger fluctuations in blood pressure as well), menopausal fatigue, cramps, and even certain times of crankiness, which, more probably than not, are resultant of the stresses females experience (for having to undergo everything else). Certain cravings for food may or may not be made to manifest. More often than not it begins the degeneration of the bodily functions in women – the rate of metabolism decreases; and without the possible interventions, muscle tonus might not retain its elasticity as well.

However, there is not much fright associated with the physical or neurological symptoms as much as what might be associated with the psycho-emotional triggers that menopause might reel in. This period in a woman’s life could be marked as the twilight of motherhood or parenthood, when she is torn between pride and helplessness while the children are finally settling in to more independent lives. Some women might already have witnessed death in the form of their own parents or in-laws. And some might already fear the debilitating sense of frailty that is inevitable with old age.

This is where support group of the family comes in. Aside from hormone replacement therapy, what could work is the reinforcement of the bonds of the family. The children – though already on their own – should help the mother remember her integral key in the family. For as long as her stress levels are managed and her emotional states are unperturbed, there will be little concerns with the handling of the other, more corporal symptoms. For the truth may be that menopause – like any other stage there is – is just about another gateway to a new life.

Fifty and Weary: Menopause Fatigue Symptoms and Treatments, 9.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating

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