menopause symptom : Alternative names Perimenopause; Postmenopause
Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
Once menopause is complete (called postmenopause), you can no longer become pregnant.
The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. As the ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. The specific symptoms you experience and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) varies from woman to woman.
In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it tapers off. During this time, your menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 to 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely.
A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are removed surgically (called surgical menopause), symptoms can be more severe.
Symptoms Return to top
The potential symptoms include:
Hot flashes and skin flushing
Night sweats
Insomnia
Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
Irregular menstrual periods
Spotting of blood in between periods
Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
Decreased sex drive
Vaginal infections
Urinary tract infections
In addition, the long-term effects of menopause include:
Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis
Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease
Signs and tests
Blood and urine tests can be used to measure hormone levels that may indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has already gone through menopause. Examples of these tests include:
Estradiol
FSH
LH
A pelvic exam may indicate changes in the vaginal lining caused by changes in estrogen levels. A bone density test may be performed to screen for low bone density levels seen with osteoporosis.
Treatment
Menopause is a natural process. It does not require treatment unless the symptoms, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness, are particularly bothersome.
One big decision you may face is whether or not to take hormones to relieve your symptoms. Discuss this thoroughly with your doctor, weighing your risks against any possible benefits. Pay careful attention to the many options currently available to you that do not involve taking hormones.
If you have a uterus and decide to take estrogen, you must also take progesterone to prevent endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). If you do not have a uterus, progesterone is not necessary.
copyright U.S. National Library of Medicine,
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
Once menopause is complete (called postmenopause), you can no longer become pregnant.
The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. As the ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. The specific symptoms you experience and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) varies from woman to woman.
In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it tapers off. During this time, your menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 to 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely.
A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are removed surgically (called surgical menopause), symptoms can be more severe.
Symptoms Return to top
The potential symptoms include:
Hot flashes and skin flushing
Night sweats
Insomnia
Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
Irregular menstrual periods
Spotting of blood in between periods
Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
Decreased sex drive
Vaginal infections
Urinary tract infections
In addition, the long-term effects of menopause include:
Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis
Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease
Signs and tests
Blood and urine tests can be used to measure hormone levels that may indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has already gone through menopause. Examples of these tests include:
Estradiol
FSH
LH
A pelvic exam may indicate changes in the vaginal lining caused by changes in estrogen levels. A bone density test may be performed to screen for low bone density levels seen with osteoporosis.
Treatment
Menopause is a natural process. It does not require treatment unless the symptoms, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness, are particularly bothersome.
One big decision you may face is whether or not to take hormones to relieve your symptoms. Discuss this thoroughly with your doctor, weighing your risks against any possible benefits. Pay careful attention to the many options currently available to you that do not involve taking hormones.
If you have a uterus and decide to take estrogen, you must also take progesterone to prevent endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). If you do not have a uterus, progesterone is not necessary.
copyright U.S. National Library of Medicine,
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