Healthy Aging: Well-Being and Sexuality at Menopause and Beyond. Anna Ghizzani

Healthy Aging: Well-Being and Sexuality at Menopause and Beyond - Anna Ghizzani


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      Contents

       Imprint

       Introduction

       Why this book? 3

       CHAPTER 1

       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

       CHAPTER 2

       Medical Aspects: Symptoms and Effects in Women 26

       Vasomotor symptoms 26

       What do patients ask for? 27

       Cardiovascular diseases 28

       Differences between women and men 30

       Cardiovascular conditions in menopause 32

       Hormone therapy and the cardiovascular system 32

       Osteoporosis 34

       Hormonal effects on cerebral function 38

       Hormones and sleep disturbances 41

       Mood changes, depression and anxiety 47

       Metabolic changes 53

       CHAPTER 3

       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

       Chapter 4

       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

       Chapter 5

       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

       Conclusions

      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

       www.novumpublishing.com

Introduction
CHAPTER 1

      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


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