Menopause

6. Menopause

Menopause results from declining ovarian function and usually occurs between ages 40 and 50, but in the healthy individual it would occur much later in life. As the ovary atrophies and ceases to respond to gonadotrophic stimulation, the few remaining follicles undergo retrogression and urinary gonadotropin excretion increases sharply.

Menopause should be asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, they are due to estrogen deficiency and autonomic nervous system responses may be severe and last a few months or years. Hot flushes and sweating are due to vasomotor instability. However, the primary underlying cause is toxicosis. Other symptoms that may appear in the unhealthy person include nervousness, fatigue, lassitude, depression, irritability, insomnia, palpitation, numbness and tingling, urinary frequency and incontinence, and varied gastrointestinal disturbances. Back pain may be due to osteoporosis.

These symptoms appear only in unhealthy, toxic women.