Menopause
Menopause is defined as the state of an absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period. It is a natural event that normally occurs in women age 45 - 55.Perimenopause means "the time around menopause" and is often used to refer to the menopausal transitional period. It is not officially a medical term, but is sometimes used to explain certain aspects of the menopause transition in lay terms. Postmenopause is the entire period of time that comes after the last menstrual period. Women who are postmenopausal can no longer get pregnant.
During menopause, a woman's ovaries stop making eggs and they produce less estrogen and progesterone. Changes in these hormones cause menopause symptoms. Periods occur less often and eventually stop. Sometimes this happens suddenly. But most of the time, periods slowly stop over time.
Surgical menopause is when medical treatments cause a drop in estrogen. This can happen if your ovaries are removed or if you receive chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer.
Symptoms vary from woman to woman. They may last 5 or more years. Some women may have worse symptoms than others. Symptoms of surgical menopause can be more severe and start more suddenly. The first thing women may notice is that their periods start to change. They might occur more often or less often. Some women might get their period every 3 weeks. This might last for 1 - 3 years before the periods completely stop. Common symptoms of menopause include: menstrual periods that occur less often and eventually stop, heart pounding or racing, hot flashes, usually worst during the first 1 - 2 years, night sweats, kin flushing and insomnia. Other symptoms of menopause may include: decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation, forgetfulness, headaches, mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety, urine leakage, vaginal
During menopause, a woman's ovaries stop making eggs and they produce less estrogen and progesterone. Changes in these hormones cause menopause symptoms. Periods occur less often and eventually stop. Sometimes this happens suddenly. But most of the time, periods slowly stop over time.
Surgical menopause is when medical treatments cause a drop in estrogen. This can happen if your ovaries are removed or if you receive chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer.
Symptoms vary from woman to woman. They may last 5 or more years. Some women may have worse symptoms than others. Symptoms of surgical menopause can be more severe and start more suddenly. The first thing women may notice is that their periods start to change. They might occur more often or less often. Some women might get their period every 3 weeks. This might last for 1 - 3 years before the periods completely stop. Common symptoms of menopause include: menstrual periods that occur less often and eventually stop, heart pounding or racing, hot flashes, usually worst during the first 1 - 2 years, night sweats, kin flushing and insomnia. Other symptoms of menopause may include: decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation, forgetfulness, headaches, mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety, urine leakage, vaginal