What is menopause? What is perimenopause?
Menopause is the point in a woman's life when
she has not had her period for 1 year. It marks the end
of the childbearing years. It's sometimes called "the change of life."
For most women, menopause happens around age 50. But every woman's body
has its own time line. Some women stop having periods in their mid-40s. Others
continue well into their 50s.
is the process of change that leads up to menopause. It can start as early as
your late 30s or as late as your early 50s. How long perimenopause lasts
varies, but it usually lasts from 2 to 8 years. You may have irregular periods
or other symptoms during this time.
Menopause is a natural part of
growing older. You don't need treatment for it unless your symptoms bother you.
But it's a good idea to learn all you can about menopause. Knowing what to
expect can help you stay as healthy as possible during this new phase of your
What causes menopause?
Normal changes in your
reproductive and hormone systems cause menopause. As your egg supply ages, your
body begins to
ovulate less often. During this time, your
hormone levels go up and down unevenly (fluctuate),
causing changes in your periods and other symptoms. In time,
progesterone levels drop enough that the menstrual
Some medical treatments can cause your periods to
stop before age 40. Having your ovaries removed, having
radiation therapy, or having
chemotherapy can trigger early menopause.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms include:
- Irregular periods. Some women have light
periods. Others have heavy bleeding. Your menstrual cycle may be longer or
shorter, or you may skip periods.
- Hot flashes.
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
changes. Some women have mood swings or feel grouchy, depressed, or worried.
- Feeling that your heart is beating too
fast or unevenly (palpitations).
- Problems with remembering
or thinking clearly.
- Vaginal dryness.
Some women have only a few mild symptoms. Others have
severe symptoms that disrupt their sleep and daily lives.
Symptoms tend to last or get worse the first year or more after
menopause. Over time, hormones even out at low levels, and many symptoms
improve or go away.
Do you need tests to diagnose menopause?
need to be tested to see if you have started perimenopause or reached
menopause. You and your doctor will most likely be able to tell based on
irregular periods and other symptoms.
If you have heavy,
irregular periods, your doctor may want to do tests to rule out a serious cause
of the bleeding. Heavy bleeding may be a normal sign of perimenopause. But it
can also be caused by infection, disease, or a pregnancy problem.
You may not need to see your doctor about menopause symptoms. But it is
important to keep up your annual physical exams. Your risks for heart disease,
cancer, and bone thinning (osteoporosis) increase after menopause.
At your yearly visits, your doctor can check your overall health and recommend
testing as needed.
Do you need treatment?
Menopause is a natural part
of growing older. You don't need treatment for it unless your symptoms bother
you. But if your symptoms are upsetting or uncomfortable, you don't have to
suffer through them. There are treatments that can help.
step is to have a healthy lifestyle. This can help reduce symptoms and also
lower your risk of heart disease and other long-term problems related to
- Make a special effort to eat well. Choose a
heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated fat. It should include plenty of fish,
fruits, vegetables, beans, and high-fiber grains and breads.
- Eat a nutritious diet and be sure you are getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D to help your bones stay strong. Low-fat or nonfat dairy products are a great source of
- Get regular exercise. Exercise can help you manage your
weight, keep your heart and bones strong, and lift your mood.
- Limit caffeine, alcohol, and stress. These things can make symptoms worse.
Limiting them may help you sleep better.
- If you smoke, stop.
Quitting smoking can reduce hot flashes and long-term health risks.
If lifestyle changes aren't enough to relieve your
symptoms, you can try other measures, such as breathing exercises and yoga.
If you have severe symptoms, you may want to ask your
doctor about prescription medicines. Choices include:
- Low-dose birth control pills before
hormone therapy (HT) after menopause.
- A medicine called clonidine
(Catapres) that is usually used to treat high blood pressure.
All medicines for menopause symptoms have possible risks
or side effects. A very small number of women develop serious health problems
when taking hormone therapy. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your possible
health risks before you start a treatment for menopause symptoms.
Remember, it is still possible to become pregnant until you reach
menopause. To prevent an unwanted pregnancy, keep using birth control until you
have not had a period for 1 full year.