Menopause
What is Menopause ?
Menopause is when periods stop for good. It’s diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding or spotting. Menopause can happen in the 40s or 50s. But the average age is 51 in the United States.
Menopause is natural. But the physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt sleep, lower energy or affect mood. There are many treatments, from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy.
Symptoms
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Loss of breast fullness
Cause
When menopause happens on its own (natural menopause), it’s a normal part of aging. Menopause is defined as a complete year without menstrual bleeding, in the absence of any surgery or medical condition that may cause bleeding to stop, like hormonal birth control, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Surgical removal of your ovaries will result in menopause if your surgeon removes both ovaries. As you age, your reproductive cycle begins to slow down and prepares to stop. This cycle has been continuously functioning since puberty. As menopause nears, your ovaries make less estrogen. When this decrease occurs, your menstrual cycle (period) starts to change. It can become irregular and then stop. Physical changes can also happen as your body adapts to different hormone levels. The symptoms you experience during each stage of menopause are all part of your body’s adjustment to these changes.
Risk Factors
People assigned female at birth go through menopause. The main risk factor is reaching the age of menopause. Other risk factors include Surgery to remove the ovaries. Certain cancer treatments.
When to see a Doctor
Keep seeing your healthcare professional for wellness visits and medical concerns before, during and after menopause. See your healthcare professional as soon as you can if you bleed from your vagina after menopause.