any women go through menopause without knowing anything about what they might expect. Some are not even aware of something called menopause to know when or how the process might happen and how long it might take.

The feeling of fears, anxiety, and perplexity, which come with the transition of aging, proves that there is a strong need for more information and education on the matter.The term derives from the Greek word ‘mens’ –which means monthly, and ‘pausis’ for cessation. Clinically, menopause is defined as the termination of menstruation. Women menopause is viewed as a life transition or a symbol of aging. This means that the woman’s ovaries produce lower levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

As a result, the woman is no longer able to become pregnant. However, she increases the risk for sexually transmitted diseases such as STD, gonorrhoea or even HIV/AIDS, if she continues having sexual intercourses with more than one person. Before a woman goes through menopause, she experiences the effects of what is clinically known as ‘perimenopause.’ “Perimenopause refers to the several years before menopause when a woman may begin experiencing the first signs of her menopausal transition,” explains a medical report from Canadian Women’s Health Network. Many people amalgamate both terms, using ‘menopause’ for both the perimenopausal eras as well as the few years following menopause. 

Under normal circumstances, the average age for menopause is fifty years and above. However, menopause commonly happens anytime between the ages of early forty and fifty six. Ghanaian women tend to begin their menopause at an earlier age comparing to Western women. An examination conducted in Akosombo District to find out the age of menopause amongst Ghanaian women reveals that the ages at menopause in Ghana was 48 years respectively.

The cultural context within which a woman resides is susceptible to have an important shock on the way she experiences the menopausal transition. Clinical analyses have proved that geographical location and ethnicity play a significant role. As a result, menopausal effects differ. Though, menopause is not a disease, illness or a clinical problem, medical reports prove that some women experience many modest or ruthless symptoms.

This is due to the modifications in hormone levels during menopause. The most common signs or symptoms of menopause are part of aging and include change in menstruation, such as having spotting, heavy bleeding, or having your periods coming very close together, or lasting more than a week.  Around the time of menopause, you may also experience hot flashes. This is an unexpected feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body, heavy sweating and cold trembling can follow.

Other symptoms include problem with vagina and bladder, tiredness, joint pain, dry eyes, urinary tract infections, short-term memory problems, mood swings, and heart disease. According to a report released from Korle Bu Teaching hospital, 71% of Ghanaian women complain of sleeplessness, almost 64% of them experience palpitations, 55% face irritability, whilst 62% admit weight gain.

 A woman going through menopause should be entertained as much as possible in order to release her from the depression and anxiety of ‘women’s many important natural life-stages.’ Failure to supporting or paying attention to her, results to a psychological trauma.

Dr. Akwasi Osei, the Acting Chief Psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital was quoted by Ama Achiaa Amankwah during a forum organized by Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana on Women’s Rights and Mental Health, as saying: “Some causes of mental illness in women in Ghana are marital problems, relationship problems - from boyfriend, childbirth, menopause, rape and defilement and drug abuse from pressure from boyfriend."The issue of menopause is still a taboo topic in most societies. With the exception of Asian women who view menopause as a “sense of liberation, and freedom from the risk of pregnancy,” Western and African women seem to have a less understanding on the issue and view this transition as a ‘trial.’

Clinical studies show that Western women are most likely to report what are sometimes described as psychosomatic symptoms, whilst African women are more likely to testify vasomotor –affecting diameter of blood vessels –symptoms. The only way to deal with menopause symptoms is to talk to your medical doctor for assistance as to how best manage menopause. You should unveil your clinical history and your family clinical history. This will help determine whether or not you are at risk for osteoporosis, breast cancer or heart disease.

Note that hormone withdrawal symptoms may not necessary end right away, but may take quite some time, even several years to disappear totally. This is because a woman’s reproductive hormone levels keep on dropping and changing for a while after menopause. You should try and eat healthy food with various vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables. Don’t ignore the importance of physical exercise; this will help you stay fit at all times.

If a woman has not had a menstruation for a full year, she can then say that she has began her menopause. Remember; menopause is not a disease. Medical doctors, family and friends should endeavour to make women, going through menopause, understand that they should “experience this time as one of liberation and self-actualization.”

BY  Esther Asante

Source: Mid-Week Plus -the only free newspaper in Ghana