Healthy Aging: Well-Being and Sexuality at Menopause and Beyond. Anna Ghizzani
Contents
Why this book? 3
What is Menopause? 6
An overview 6
Debunking myths and legitimate expectations 10
Occurrence and variability of the menstrual cycle 12
How does menopause occur? 13
Premature menopause 15
Iatrogenic or induced menopause 16
Cycles of life 18
Menopause at 50 19
Leaving the world of work 20
Single women 21
One birthday after another, with a smile! 23
Medical Aspects: Symptoms and Effects in Women 26
Differences between women and men 30
Cardiovascular conditions in menopause 32
Hormone therapy and the cardiovascular system 32
Hormonal effects on cerebral function 38
Hormones and sleep disturbances 41
Mood changes, depression and anxiety 47
Menopause and Sexual Desire Disorders 57
How desire changes 57
Vaginal atrophy and genito-urinary syndrome 58
Mood disorders and sexuality 61
Hysterectomy 64
Cancer conditions 67
The impact of cancer in the emotional sphere 68
Longer-term emotional reactions 69
Romantic Relationships Among the Elderly 74
Psychophysical well-being 74
Psychological intimacy 79
Romantic equilibrium 79
Relationships 81
Sexual health 85
Imperfect sexuality 88
Harmony, desire and celibacy 90
Dysfunctions in Sexual Behavior 95
Sexual rehabilitation 100
Medications for menopause 102
The effects of hormone replacement therapy 105
Hormone therapy and prevention of chronic illnesses 108
Maintaining well-being in early menopause 108
Other pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions 110
Diet 114
Metabolic effects of different foods 116
Risk of falls, and physical exercise 120
Men, The Other Half of the Universe
Aging mechanisms, orgasm, and sexuality in relationships
Imprint
All rights of distribution, also through movies, radio and television, photomechanical reproduction, sound carrier, electronic medium and reprinting in excerpts are reserved.
© 2020 novum publishing
ISBN print edition: 978-1-64268-145-1
ISBN e-book: 978-1-64268-146-8
Editor: Karen Simmering
Cover images: Brainsil,
Ihor Svetiukha | Dreamstime.com
Coverdesign, Layout & Type: novum publishing
CHAPTER 2
Medical Aspects:
Symptoms and Effects in Women
Vasomotor symptoms
Hot flashes, or flushing, are vasomotor symptoms that appear as an immediate response to a reduced level of estrogen in the bloodstream; since this reduction precedes the onset of the changes brought by the menstrual cycle, one or two isolated flashes may occur even when the cycle is still apparently regular. The intensity and frequency vary from woman to woman: for some, they are little more than an annoyance, while for others they represent a real problem, owing to the feelings of awkwardness that come with them. We should not overlook the effects of a hot flash when it comes “in public”, because the redness and sweating are embarrassing, and make evident a situation that one would prefer to keep private. When these occur in the middle of a working day, they limit the ability to concentrate, make one feel inadequate, produce anxiety, and end up interfering in one’s professional life and social relations. It seems that greater acceptance of hot flashes is associated with a positive mental outlook, good family relations, and general emotional well-being. They manifest with brief and sudden episodes of intense heat, located especially