Fibroid - Can it cause Menopause and how can I manage it?

My friend thought was pregnant..... because her stomach seems to keep on growing. However, when she did a pregnancy test, it's result turn negative. She just ignore it. She thought to herself, hey maybe she's just getting fat because lately she has been eating quite a lot.

Boy........ was she wrong! As time goes by, with the stomach getting bigger, more and more of us were asking her "Hey, you're pregnant? When are you due?" and everytime she has to keep telling them "No....I'm not". After a while it irritated her so much...until I insisted that she visited her friend a gynaecologist. So, obediently I went with her, thinking it's nothing serious. We could not have been more wrong. After going through series of tests....the doctor confirm that she had and it's 'a huge mass'. Other than that, the doctor told us that she had a heart murmur as well as a low blood count.....so she was warded immediately.

We were given further explanations about fibroid. He told us that a fibroid is a benign tumour in the musclar wall of the womb that causes pain and excessive menstrual bleeding. Due to the size of her fibroid, it was a big mass, he informed us that 'everything' had to be removed and she had to face the chance of never getting pregnant again and going for early menopause. She was only 42 years old. That news struck both of us like lightning!

The operation went smoothly and after 1 week she was discharged. That was 5 months ago. Since then, she confided in me that she had not had her monthly menstruation period. I began thinking.....is she really going for early menopause? The fear, the uncertainty and the lack of knowledge made the whole process unbearable. Both of us had no one to talk to......as none of our friends, all around our age.... know nothing about menopause.

So, I went to do my own research and attended talks. So this are the information I gather. Hope to be able to share it with you.....anyone of you who are right now having the same experience as my best friend.

Usually, between the ages of 40 to 60, every women goes through menopause. It;s the time when your menstrual periods stop and pregnancy is no longer possible. As I said before, people often surround menopause full of mystery and gloom. But, believe me, after all the research and reading, I found out that this need not be so.

Strictly speaking, menopause can only be identified retrospectively, when you have not had a menstrual flow for 12 months. So, I hope within the next 7 months...... a 'miracle' will happen to her.

However, menopause is usually used to describe the time before and after ceassation of your menstrual periods. You will experience a range of symptoms. The medical term is climacteric (phew) - meaning the time when your ovarian functions and hormone production decline.

Please bear in mind that menopause is not a disease. It is a natural physiological state every women will have to go through, unless it's brough on surgically.

Menopause are usually diagnose through symptoms. However, if you are doubtful, a simple blood test can be done to check the level of hormones. So I'm giving myself a few more months before I do a blood test.

What Happens To You?

The symptoms of menopause are numerous and may vary from mild to severe. Usually it's irregular periods, hot flushes and night sweats.

Irregular bleeding is usually the first sign of menopause. This is due to the erratic production of your hormones. Some women can experience a shorter cycle, menstruating every 20 days or so, other even lesser - sometimes once every six months.

Your blood flow patterns also changes. Some bleed for days while some may have heavier flow. But the most common pattern is less bleeding and less often. However, it is still possible to become pregnant.

Don't panic! As long as you are not bleeding heavily. If you are persistently having heavy menstrual periods, please go and see a doctor. It could be due to something more serious.

It's noted that almost 85% of menopausal women will experience hot flushes. It can vary from mild that will pass quickly to those that are distressing and can occur several times throughout the day and night.

During hot flushes, you will perspire profusely. Your body temperature will rise, your heart beats faster and you might experience a fainting feeling. Hot flushes usually last only for a few seconds. It is usually followed by a cold feeling accompanied by shivering.

What can you do?

Wear loose, comfortable clothing

Carry a cologne to freshen up after the flush

If you are driving, please stop what you are doing when you feel a flush coming, as you may feel faint.

Using a fan may make you feel more comfortable.

Showering before going to bed is a good idea. It will make you more comfortable at night.

Limit hot soups, heavy meals, caffeinated drinks and crowded places as they are likely to trigger more hot flushes.

Learn to take things easy.

Learn to relax and do relaxation exercises, eg yoga, deep breathing etc.

You are encouraged to exercise regularly because women who exercise tend to have fewer flushes than those who do not.

If you have regular and severe hot flushes please visit your doctor immediately. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is usually considered.

Phew..... that's a lot to write but I have to go now.....

Will continue at my next hub on topics relating to menopause eg insomnia, mood swings and depressions, thinning tissues and more details on HRT.

Till then, if anyone of you have gone through menopause, please leave your comment.....Who knows it might be useful to someone out there.

BTW, if you have kids, grandchildren or anyone who are using braces, get your free guide on tooth "Braces for The Child - What Every Parent Should Know" at http://www.mytoothcaretips.com/braces/free_report.html.

Till we meet again, Part 2, on menopause.......Cheers.