Menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. The term can describe any of the changes you go through just before or after you stop having your period, marking the end of your reproductive years. Women are born with all of their eggs, which are stored in their ovaries. Their ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control their period
[menstruation] and the release of eggs [ovulation]. Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops. Menopause is a regular part of aging when it happens
after the age of 40. But some women can go through menopause early. It can be the result of surgery, like if their ovaries are removed in a hysterectomy, or damage to their ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. If it happens before age 40, for any reason, it’s called premature menopause. First signs of menopause Most women nearing menopause will begin experiencing vasomotor symptoms [VMS]. The most common is hot flashes. During a hot flash there is a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body, often with blushing, racing heart, and sweating. These flashes can range from mild in most women to severe in others. You may also notice other symptoms of menopause such as: Symptoms of
menopause Other possible symptoms often include: Natural menopause isn’t caused by any type of medical or surgical treatment. It’s slow and has three stages:What Is Menopause?
Menopause Causes
Menopause Symptoms
What Happens During Menopause?
Your genes, some immune system disorders,
or medical procedures can cause premature menopause. Other causes include: Menopause is different in each woman. In general, the symptoms of perimenopause last about 4 years. You might suspect that you’re going into menopause. Or your doctor will say something, based on symptoms you've told them about. You can keep track of your periods and chart them as they become uneven. The pattern will be another clue to your doctor that you’re perimenopausal or nearing menopause.What Conditions Cause Premature Menopause?
How Long Do Symptoms of Menopause Last?
Menopause Diagnosis
Your doctor might also test your blood for levels of:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]. This usually goes up as you near menopause.
- Estradiol. This tells your doctor how much estrogen your ovaries are making. This level will go down in menopause.
- Thyroid hormones. This shows problems with your thyroid gland, which can affect your period and cause symptoms that look like menopause.
Menopause Treatment
Menopause is a natural process. Many symptoms will go away over time. But if they’re causing problems, treatments can help you feel better. Common ones include:
- Hormone replacement therapy [HRT]. This is also called menopausal hormone therapy. You take medications to replace the hormones that your body isn’t making anymore. Certain drugs or combinations can help with hot flashes and vaginal symptoms, as well as making your bones stronger. But they can also put you at higher risk of health problems like heart disease or breast cancer, so you should take the lowest dose that works for the shortest time possible.
- Topical hormone therapy. This is an estrogen cream, insert, or gel that you put in your vagina to help with dryness.
- Nonhormone medications. The depression drug paroxetine [Brisdelle, Paxil] is FDA-approved to treat hot flashes. The nerve drug gabapentin [Gralise, Neuraptine, Neurontin] and the blood pressure drug clonidine [Catapres, Kapvay] might also ease them. Medicines called selective estrogen receptor modulators [SERMs] help your body use its estrogen to treat hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
- Medications for osteoporosis. You might take medicines or vitamin D supplements to help keep your bones strong.
Lifestyle changes Lifestyle
changes help many women deal with menopause symptoms. Try these steps: Some studies have found that soy products relieve hot flashes, but researchers are still looking into it. There aren’t many large studies on whether other supplements such as black cohosh or “bioidentical” hormones work for menopause symptoms. Talk to your doctor before starting any herbal or dietary supplements. Yoga, tai chi, and acupuncture are safer ways to manage menopause symptoms.Alternative and
Complementary Menopause Treatments
Menopause Complications
The loss of estrogen linked with menopause is tied to the following health problems that become more common as women age.
After menopause, women are more likely to have:
- Bone loss [osteoporosis]
- Heart disease
- Bladder and bowels that don’t work like they should
- Higher risk of Alzheimer's disease
- More wrinkles
- Poor muscle power and tone
- Weaker vision, such as from cataracts [clouding of the lens of the eye] and macular degeneration [breakdown of the tiny spot in the center of the retina that is the center of vision]
It can be tough to manage the sexual changes that come along with menopause, like vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive. You might also find that you don’t enjoy sex as much and have trouble reaching orgasm. As long as it isn’t painful, regular sexual activity may help keep your vagina healthy by promoting blood flow.
Your ovaries have stopped sending out eggs once you’re in menopause, so you can’t get pregnant. But you can still get a sexually transmitted disease. Use safer sex practices if you’re not in a relationship with one person.