The word Menopause is derived from the Latin root 'Meno'(menstrual) and 'pausis'(cessation) and hence the definition of the term as a cessation of menstrual cycles. Physiologically Menopause occurs when the ovaries cease to function to produce eggs or hormones for reproduction.

The average age for the onset of Menopause is 51 years. However, women as young as 30 or as old as 60 can report the onset of Menopause. Doctors believe that women generally undergo Menopause around the time their mothers experienced the onset.

The onset of Menopause can also occur in certain medical conditions. Surgical removal of the ovaries, cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy and premature ovarian failure could be medical conditions that result in Menopause.

The Early Menopause symptoms are irregular menstrual cycles, irregular bleeding, hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, itching or pain during sexual intercourse, urinary symptoms, emotional and cognitive symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings and memory loss and other physical changes such as weight gain, wrinkles, acne and hair growth in the face and other body parts such as the chin, upper lip, chest or abdomen.

Post Menopause can trigger off certain medical conditions in women such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Since Menopause is a natural condition, no treatment is necessary. However, treatment of the pre menopause and post menopause symptoms becomes a necessity in extreme cases. Estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapies are recommended to control symptoms relating to declining estrogen levels that cause mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness or excessive hair growth. Oral contraceptive pills are recommended in case there is an erratic vaginal bleeding. A number of vaginal hormone treatment and other pharmaceutical therapies for depression, hot flashes and sexual dysfunction are advocated. The drugs that are commonly recommended have a number of side effects and should be used with caution.

Alternately medical therapies using plant estrogens and herbs can be used for controlling the pre and post menopausal symptoms. While there is no conclusive evidence that these herbs work for everyone, they do seem to help control the symptoms in a large number of patients with almost no or minimal side effects. Black Cohosh, Wild Yam, Isoflavonesand Dong Quai are some of the herbs commonly used by women to combat hot flashes, weight gain and erratic bleeding during irregular menstrual cycles.

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