Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Life begins at 40

THE ONSET of the mid-thirties brings about a decline in the production of oestrogen- the hormone that helps women in the childbearing years. By the mid 40s she experiences the symptoms of oestrogen deficiency-irregularity in menstrual cycle, hot flushes, cramps, acute mood swings, insomnia, feeling of helplessness etc. The repercussion of menopause often results in skin pigmentation, hair fall, and wrinkles. All these appear due to hormonal imbalances. "To many women menopause simply means not able to have children due to inability to have sex. This they think leads to a lack of emotions. It is a pure myth," says Shaheen. Clinically defined, menopause is when a woman has not menstruated for 12 consecutive months. This is believed to happen around 45-48 years in average Indian women. "Actually menopause occurs when the elimination process of the body is packed up. It is product of the pattern created by some of us. Even Rig Veda cites anecdotes where a woman has mothered at the age of 65," says Venugopal a naturopath.

The havoc created by hormone hinders regular ovulation metabolically affecting the entire body. Thus enters muscle weakness and osteoporosis, . Its a debilitating condition causing the bones to be vulnerable to fracture as they become porous and fragile decreasing the bone mass. Women who have undergone hysterectomy before the menopausal age of 50, those using corticosteroids for long, those who have natural calcium depletion, those who have history of irregular periods pattern are more prone to this. Intake of calcium, exercise, HRT, are the three main line course of action to overcome osteoporosis.

Dealing with the demands of 40s is a matter of transition. This hormonal imbalance gives birth to emotional helplessness. Thus women entering her 40s should realise that the physiological changes also brings about a disruption in emotional balance. But women are very good at crisis management. Depending upon their mental make up they can handle themselves in the fluctuating forties, well.

J.S

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Metro Plus    Bangalore    Chennai    Coimbatore    Delhi    Hyderabad    Kochi    Madurai    Thiruvananthapuram    Vijayawada    Visakhapatnam