Menopausal symptoms as consequences of dysrhythmia

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Psychology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Menopausal transition involves significant physical and psychological changes.
• Existing models may not fully explain the complexity of these changes.
• Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can disrupt the body's internal balance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a theoretical model for understanding menopausal transition.
• To explain physical and psychological symptoms as consequences of disrupted homeostasis.
• To propose a new framework for empirical research on menopausal symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical model development.
• Integration of concepts from physiology, psychology, and endocrinology.
• Synthesis of existing, but historically unrelated, research areas.

Main Results:

• The model posits that unpredictable hormonal patterns lead to a loss of homeostatic control.
• Physical and psychological disruptions are analogous to those seen in jet lag and shift work.
• The medical model and media contribute to viewing these symptoms as a "deficiency disease".

Conclusions:

• The proposed model offers a novel theoretical integration for menopausal symptoms.
• It reframes menopausal symptoms as disruptions of physiological balance rather than a deficiency.
• The model aims to stimulate empirical research into the causes, correlates, and interventions for menopausal symptoms.