Menopause occurs when a woman stops ovulating and menstruating, signaling the end of her childbearing years. The ovaries slowly reduce production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone until menopause takes place. Women who have had both ovaries removed or damaged through radiation or chemotherapy experience “induced” menopause – those with one functioning ovary will experience natural menopause.
Usually, natural menopause occurs sometime in your 40s or 50s – the average age of menopause is 52. Rarely, women can experience menopause in their 30s or as late as their 60s. Women tend to follow the same pattern as their mothers and grandmothers – so asking your mother or grandmother can give you a clue as to when you might experience menopause.
The stages of menopause
Natural menopause is actually a three-stage process that takes years to complete. The three stages are:
- Premenopause.
Sometimes called perimenopause, premenopause usually begins around age 40, when your ovaries gradually slow down their production of estrogen. Your menstrual periods begin to change, becoming more irregular in frequency – the amount of your menstrual flow often varies, too. Premenopause usually goes on for about a decade before the actual menopause is reached.
Menopause.
Menopause initiates many changes in hormone production. The actual menopause occurs when estrogen levels drop so low that you cease having menstrual periods altogether. This phase lasts 12 months, starting from the time of your last period. Although it’s unlikely, you may still be able to become pregnant.
Postmenopause.
Postmenopause begins after menopause is over and lasts for the rest of your life. Since women usually live to be about 78, you’ll be in postmenopause for about one-third of your life.
Menopause-related changes
About 75 percent of women experience some discomforts resulting from menopause, including the following:
- Hot flashes.
Hot flashes are one of the earliest and most common signs of menopause. They’re caused by hormonal changes that send incorrect messages to your brain about the temperature – so your brain thinks you’re cold and takes steps to warm you up. The blood vessels on your skin constrict, elevating your temperature – the brain, sensing its mistake, quickly opens them back up again. The resulting rush of blood to your upper body and face can cause you to appear flushed – and to sweat. Some women experience very strong, bothersome hot flashes that wake them up at night, while others have much milder hot flashes.
- Irritability or mood swings.
Estrogen naturally enhances mood, so decreasing levels of the hormone can cause irritability or mood swings.
- Vaginal dryness.
The loss of sex hormones can contribute to difficulties with vaginal lubrication.
- Other Changes
In addition, the loss of estrogen increases your risk of developing osteoporosis. Estrogen loss can also contribute to heart disease, because it helps boost the “bad” kind of cholesterol while lowering the “good” kind.
Treatments for menopause
Many women choose estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), which can relieve many of the discomforts associated with menopause and provide definite health benefits. ERT can:
- Help prevent osteoporosis
- Help prevent heart disease by raising “good” cholesterol levels and reducing “bad” cholesterol
- Restore vaginal lubrication
- Relieve hot flashes
However, there are certain health risks associated with ERT, including an increased incidence of some forms of cancer. For that reason, ERT isn’t for everyone – you and your doctor will make the decision about whether ERT is right for you.
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