Menopause: What to Expect When Your Body is Changing
What is menopause?
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when
her periods stop and she can’t have children anymore. This happens because
as a woman ages, her ovaries stop making enough of the female hormones
estrogen and progesterone.
Some things you might have heard about
menopause aren’t true. For example, women don’t lose interest in sex or
have more mood changes because of menopause.
When does menopause occur?
The average age for women to have their last
period is about 50. But it’s normal for menopause to occur any time from age
41 to 59. A woman often goes through menopause at about the same age as her
mother.
Women who have both ovaries removed will go
through “surgical menopause” at the time of their surgery. If the uterus is
taken out but the ovaries are left, a woman won’t have periods but she will
only go through menopause when her ovaries stop making estrogen.
If you stop having periods early--before age
40--your doctor can do a blood test to see if you're going through
menopause.
Menopause is a gradual process that can take
several years. You’re not really through menopause until you haven’t had a
period for 6 to 12 months. (During this time, keep using birth control if
you don’t want to become pregnant.)
What are the common signs and
symptoms of menopause?
Some women just stop having periods. Others
experience symptoms, such as the following:
A change in your menstrual cycle.
This is one of the first signs of menopause. You may skip periods or they
may occur closer together. Your flow may be lighter or heavier than usual.
Hot flashes. Hot flashes are the most
common symptom of menopause.
When you have a hot flash, you’ll feel warm
from your chest to your head, often in wave-like sensations. Your skin may
turn red and you may sweat. You may feel sick to your stomach and dizzy. You
may also have a headache and feel like your heart is beating very fast and
hard.
Thinning of your vagina and vulva
(the area around your vagina). The skin of your
vagina and vulva becomes thinner with menopause. Your vagina also loses its
ability to produce as much lubrication (wetness) during sexual arousal.
These changes can lead to pain during sex.
An estrogen cream (put in and around your
vagina) or a water-based lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly) to make sex less
painful.
Urinary tract problems. You’re more
likely to have bladder and urinary tract infections during and after
menopause. Talk to your doctor if you have to go to the bathroom often,
feel an urgent need to urinate, feel a burning sensation when urinating or
are not able to urinate.
Headaches, night sweats, trouble sleeping
and tiredness are other symptoms. Trouble sleeping and feeling
tired may be caused by hot flashes and night sweats.
Does menopause have emotional
symptoms?
Many women experience emotional symptoms
during menopause. These symptoms may include sadness, anxiety and loss of
sleep. For some women, symptoms can be severe. If you find that you’re
having emotional problems, talk to your family doctor.
What is hormone replacement
therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves
taking estrogen alone or estrogen combined with another hormone,
progestin. Some women have found that HRT can relieve symptoms such as hot
flashes, vaginal dryness and some urinary problems. However, HRT is not
for everyone. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT.
Are other treatments available?
Yes. Medicines such as estrogen cream,
antidepressants, soy products and certain herbal supplements may help ease
some menopausal symptoms. Discuss these options with your doctor.
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