Heat waves, irritation, fatigue, insomnia, depression. Until not very
long ago, women that entered menopause suffered
these and other
symptoms. Nowadays, a happy agents combination is resulting in a new
way of living the most delicate feminine life phase. This new stage
begins in the
climacteric, period featured by the gradual reduction of
oestrogen and progesterone, hormones responsible for the feminine
characteristics. The process ends in the last menstruation, the
menopause.
There''s an incredible effort from science to clarify what occurs in the
female body during that time. There are several fundamental information
to improve the quality of life for the woman during and after the
period. The most important of them is the statement that what is done
or not done in this phase will decide in most how it will be that woman
physical and emotional future. The period would be of equivalent
importance do the so-called first childhood, which goes from birth to
seven years old. For paediatricians, it determins in several aspects
how the development of the little ones will be. Climacteric/Menopause,
on its hand, would be the key for a healthy and happy old age, or in
the other hand, the beggining of the end. Recent findings support the
thesis. Most of it concerns the impacts caused by the hormonal
imbalance on various organs. Specially, the oestrogen decrease. It is
known that its action is largely extended", explains Dr. Cesar
Fernandes, President of the Climacteric Brazilian Society''s Scientific
Board. In fact, studies show that oestrogen protects the heart, the
brain, the bones, promotes skin vitality, helps in humor and sexual
satisfaction regulation. But it can increase the chance of occurrence
of some types of tumors, like in the breast (the extended exposition to
that hormone favors the appearance of the disease). So, if the
oestrogen is so powerful it''s clear that the end of its production will
have serious repercussions. In that order, either action is taken
quickly to contain the consequences or they will be suffered.
The first solution found was the hormonal replacement therapy, the
famous HRT. The line of thinking was that if it lacks progesterone and
oestrogen, the way out is to replace both hormones. At a first glance,
the strategy was successful, until a study made by Women''s Health
Initiative, organ from the american government, revealed that the
therapy increases the breast cancer risk and does not protect from
heart diseases. The disclosure has discouraged doctors to prescribe the
treatment. In the USA, there was a 50% decrease in indications.
Coincidence or not, recently published data about the breast cancer
numbers in that country show a 7% decrease in the total of cases in
2003. In Dr. Sergio Simom''s opinion, from the Paulista Institute of
Oncology, the reduction in the use of HRT can be related with the fall.
"Therapy can stimulate the appearance of a tumor", declares. There''s
still no consensus about the replacement, seen until some time ago as
the only solution. The information alarmed and motivated the creation
of options. One of them is the replacement therapy with low hormonal
dosis. "The minimum formulations of hormones are effective and safe",
assures Dr. Fernandes. Simultaneously, part of the scientists pursues
even safer alternatives. They reached medicines soya-based. It was
found that isoflavones, substances present in the food, has similar
effects to oestrogen. Pharmaceutical industries have invested in the
discovery. Today, the development of the medicines with that active
principle usesthe same and modern applied technologies in the
production of the most sofisticated pharmaceutical.
But what medicine understands today is still far away from a merely
medicinal solution. The only certainty is the need to invest in a
healthy life style to live better in the future. That includes the
practice of physical activity, quit smokive the menu. A
work from the Leeds University, in England, published last week, showed
that to consume 30g of fibre/day - equivalent to two spoons ood oat -
reduces a lot of breast risk cancer in women that were in the
climacteric. Another aspect that is been deserving attention is sexual
life. Because of the decrease of oestrogen, there''s an accented
reduction of vaginal lubrication and desire. Agents that might take the
issue into a suffering field for the woman as well as for her partner.
One of the focus is the study on the effects of such drugs as Viagra,
one of the pills against impotence available, and also antidepressants
which would improve vaginal lubrication and libido. A recent approach
in that area favors, again, the attitude. According to the doctors, the
couple should make an effort to keep an intense sexual routine.
Constant practice keeps in good shape the blood ducts that contribute
for the vaginal region irrigation, which facilitates the orgasm. Backed
by the new resources, women are living menopause with more health and
maturity.