As time goes by, various organs of the body gradually age, including the ovaries. Generally speaking, women around the age of 45 will experience changes such as fewer menstrual cycles, menopause, dry skin, heart palpitations, insomnia, etc. These are all completely normal physiological changes, signifying that the body is adapting to the transitional period of reduced ovarian function.
Medical research indicates that if ovarian function decline occurs before the age of 40, it is referred to as “premature ovarian failure,” which about 1% to 2% of women will experience. Its occurrence may be closely related to a variety of factors, such as genetic factors, the status of the immune system, and personal lifestyle. Despite the many so-called “ovarian maintenance” methods available on the market, in reality, these methods have not been effective in slowing down the aging process of the ovaries. Therefore, if the above symptoms appear before the age of 40 and significantly affect daily life, it becomes particularly important to seek medical advice in a timely manner. It’s worth noting that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to good prognostic results, but if symptoms are neglected until it develops into premature ovarian failure, the situation may become irreversible.
In our daily lives, many small habits can have a significant impact on ovarian health. Below are some lifestyle recommendations that are beneficial for ovarian health:
- Maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, maintain a normal Body Mass Index (BMI), and avoid malnutrition caused by excessive dieting;
- Quit smoking, resist the harm of smoking to health, and safeguard your health;
- Develop regular sleep habits, and ensure sufficient sleep of 7 to 9 hours every night;
- Maintain a positive and healthy mental state, and seek support and help in a timely manner when facing high stress.
Taking good care of your ovaries is actually taking care of your body and soul. On March 8th every year, we celebrate International Women’s Day, which is also a good opportunity for us to focus on women’s health, including menopause or postmenopausal health.
In traditional concepts, menopause is often seen as a sign of a woman’s aging, carrying certain negative connotations. However, in recent years, some scholars have provided us with new ways of thinking from historical and anthropological perspectives: menopause is actually an advantage in human evolution. After going through menopause, women have about one third of their wonderful lives ahead to enjoy, and this is very rare in nature. Women after menopause can be relieved of the responsibility of childbearing and can use their accumulated experience and wisdom to help the next generation in the family. This not only increases the possibility of passing on family genes but also improves the survival rate of children—this is the famous “grandmother effect.”
In summary, menopause is a natural physiological process. Although it may be accompanied by some unpleasant symptoms, at the same time, its underlying significance is for us to define. Let us no longer be anxious and fearful about aging or menopause because our lives are not a journey of constant decline—each stage has its special charm and moments worth cherishing. Menopause is not the end of a woman’s life value, but a starting point for opening a new chapter in life, an opportunity for a more liberated state of living.
