ages 41-55

    Menopause is normal

    Reproductive health

    What about STDs/STIs?

    Talking to your healthcare provider

Menopause is normal

Menopause is a normal, natural event—not a disease.

Technically, you don't actually "hit" menopause until it's been one year since your final menstrual period. In the United States, that happens about age 51, on average. As women move beyond their childbearing years they may experience many physical changes.

Menopause isn't a one-size-fits-all event though. It affects each woman differently. Some women reach natural menopause with little to no trouble; others may experience  symptoms that can hamper their lives. And when menopause starts suddenly as a result of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, the adjustment can be tough.

Fortunately, menopause is better understood and more openly discussed than ever before. Better treatment options are available, when needed. Many women report that once they’ve finished menopause they feel more confidant, stronger, and energized than they did before.

What Causes Menopause?

A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate menstruation and ovulation. Menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer produce an egg every month and menstruation stops.

Menopause, when it occurs after the age of 40, is considered "natural" and is a normal part of aging. But, some women can experience menopause early, either as a result of a surgical intervention, such as hysterectomy, or damage to the ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. Menopause that occurs before the age of 40, regardless of the cause, is called premature menopause.

Perimenopause

Natural menopause happens gradually. The ovaries don't abruptly stop; they slow down. The transition to menopause is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, it's still possible to get pregnant -- a woman's childbearing years are winding down, and although her periods may become more unpredictable, her ovaries are still functioning and she still may ovulate, though not necessarily on a monthly basis.

Menopause: What to Expect

Here is a look at menopausal symptoms that many women experience, though the intensity can vary.
The signs and symptoms of menopause, however, often appear long before the one-year anniversary of your final period. They include:

• Irregular periods
• Decreased fertility
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood swings
• Increased abdominal fat
• Thinning hair
• Loss of breast fullness

When to see a doctor
It's important to see your doctor during the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) and the years after menopause for preventive health care as well as care of medical conditions that may occur with aging.

If you've skipped a period but aren't sure you've started menopause, you may want to see your doctor to determine whether you're pregnant. He or she may take a medical history, do a pelvic examination and, if appropriate, order a pregnancy test.

Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause.

Alternative medicine

Many approaches have been promoted as aids in managing the symptoms of menopause, but there is very little scientific evidence to back up the claims. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any herbal treatments or dietary supplements for signs and symptoms of menopause. Herbal products can interfere or interact with other medications you may be taking.

Written with help from:
North American Menopause Society
Pause, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The Mayo Clinic
The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine