Menopause

Menopause is a natural stage of a woman's life in which her menstrual periods stop permanently and she can no longer get pregnant. The menopausal transition takes place gradually, over a period of years, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. Women navigating this change may experience a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, moodiness and irritability, joint and muscle discomfort, disrupted sleep, pain during sex, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating. While some women have minimal or mild symptoms, others find that the menopausal transition can significantly affect their quality of life. Fortunately, various treatment options, including lifestyle changes, medications, and hormonal therapies, can help.

Common Questions & Answers

What are the three stages of menopause?

Perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause are the three stages of menopause. Perimenopause begins when your ovaries gradually stop working, lasting up to 10 years until menopause, the end of your menstrual cycle, occurs. Postmenopause is the remainder of life following menopause.

During the menopausal transition, the body significantly reduces its production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This change can lead to hot flashes, mood swings, and disrupted sleep. Eventually, your menstrual cycle will end.

If you're tracking your menstrual cycle, you'll know you've experienced menopause if you haven't had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. Your physician can also perform a blood test measuring hormone levels that indicate menopause.

While neither universal nor uniform, the mental side effects of menopause can include depression, anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, memory issues, and trouble concentrating, often as a result of the body's diminishing estrogen production.

Menopause increases a woman's risk of heart disease, as the body's loss of estrogen negatively affects the flexibility of blood vessels. Reduced estrogen also leads to bone loss, making osteoporosis a significant concern as well.

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Resources
  1. What Is Menopause? National Institute on Aging. October 16, 2024.

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