What are the self-examination methods for menopause?

What are the self-examination methods for menopause? All women will eventually face a problem, which is menopause. However, when this problem comes, don’t be too rejecting. This is a very normal psychological phenomenon. So what are the self-examination methods for menopause? Let’s take a look first.

1. Menstrual changes

Menopause means the end of menstruation, but perimenopause often changes the menstrual cycle and menstrual volume. It is manifested by shortened menstrual cycle, mainly shortened follicular phase, no ovulation and increased menstrual volume. For example, 3% to 7% of people aged 26 to 40 have anovulatory menstruation, and 12% to 15% of people aged 41 to 50 have anovulatory menstruation. Many people have prolonged cycles, 2 to 3 months or longer, while the menstrual period and blood volume are normal. A few people have lost their menstrual cycle, irregular vaginal bleeding, increased menstrual volume, and even secondary anemia.

2. Hot flashes and sweating

Hot flashes and sweating are the main and most specific symptoms of perimenopausal women. The incidence rate is 70-80%, and 25-50% can last for more than 5 years. It manifests as bursts of fever, starting from the chest, rushing to the head and neck, and can spread to the whole body, followed by sudden sweating, accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, and fatigue, which last from tens of seconds to several minutes. The number of attacks ranges from more than 20 times a day to 1-2 times a week. In the past, some people have measured that the skin temperature will rise during the attack and drop to normal after the attack. It may be related to the accelerated blood flow rate during the attack and has no more clinical significance. During the hot flash attack, although there is vasodilation, there is no change in blood pressure. Hot flashes are often a sign of ovarian failure. Many women have no menstrual disorders, but they may have hot flashes, indicating a decline in ovarian function; there are also a few women who do not have hot flashes during menopause, and they appear 10-20 years after menopause; most of them are synchronized with menstrual changes, and their degree also fluctuates.

3. Psychoneural symptoms

The main manifestations are emotional instability, irritability and uncontrollable temper, self-blame after temper, neurosis, stubbornness, lack of concentration, insomnia, headache, memory loss, neurasthenia, depression and other symptoms. In severe cases, it is similar to mental illness. Its occurrence may be related to neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins, as well as the individual's personality, occupation and cultural background. Sudden events in the family, such as the death of relatives, divorce, retirement, children leaving home, etc., may aggravate the symptoms.

4. Urogenital atrophy

After menopause, due to the lack of estrogen, the internal and external genitalia, bladder, and urethra will atrophy. The vaginal folds become flat, the epithelium atrophies and becomes thinner, and during examination, capillaries can be seen penetrating the epithelium as scattered red spots, which are prone to infection. Therefore, senile vaginitis has become a very common disease in postmenopausal women. Both the cervix and the uterine body atrophy, and the cervix can often be seen to be flattened. The ovaries atrophy and cannot be felt. If a postmenopausal woman feels the ovaries, she should pay attention to tumors. Atrophy of the urinary system is often manifested as frequent urination, urgency, and stress incontinence. Atrophy of the pelvic support tissue will cause uterine prolapse and bulging of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. Genital atrophy can lead to dyspareunia, difficulty in sexual life, and secondary loss of libido.

5. Changes in secondary sexual characteristics

The breasts lose the cyclical effects of estrogen and progesterone and gradually shrink and sag. The skin loses the effects of estrogen, the mitosis of epidermal cells decreases and becomes thinner, losing elasticity and wrinkles.

The article introduced above is some self-examination methods related to menopause. These methods are for reference only. If you want to confirm the diagnosis, it is best to go to a regular hospital and find a professional doctor to make a judgment. If a woman has some of the above symptoms, it means that menopause is coming.