Menopause is a natural transition that most women go through between the ages of 45-55. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and her monthly menstrual cycles.
The lead up to menopause is called perimenopause, which can last several years. During perimenopause, estrogen levels become irregular, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
So when exactly is a woman in menopause? Technically, menopause is reached after 12 consecutive months without a period. Once a woman has gone a full year with no period, she has reached menopause.
Some common symptoms women may experience leading up to and during menopause include:
The severity and duration of symptoms varies significantly among women. While some sail through "the change" relatively easily, others experience more intense effects.
Over the long-term, menopause increases a woman's risk for certain medical conditions, primarily due to lowered estrogen levels:
To mitigate risks, women are encouraged to eat healthy, exercise, stop smoking, () under the supervision of a doctor, and have regular checkups to closely monitor changes in cardiac risk factors like cholesterol.
I hope this overview on what happens during menopause and common symptoms helps provide some insight into this transitional stage of life for women. Let me know if you have any other questions!