The word “menopause” is often used as an umbrella term for a physical condition that consists of several distinct stages that usually occur over the course of a few years. In its simplest terms, menopause describes the permanent cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycle, but the entire menopause process is about more than just the end of a period. It’s helpful to think of menopause as the reverse of puberty. If puberty marks the beginning of a woman’s reproductive years, menopause marks their end.

What causes menopause?

As women age, the ovaries no longer produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone as they used to, and this drop in hormone levels causes periods to stop. For most women, menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 60, with the average age being 51.

Three main phases

There are three main stages in menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the first stage of menopause and can begin a few years before a woman has her last period. Perimenopause occurs when hormone levels in the body begin to decline. During this time, a woman may experience many of the symptoms associated with menopause, such as decreased fertility, hot flashes, and mood swings. However, while fertility rates drop during this time, it is still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause, so if you are using birth control, you should consult your gynecologist before stopping.

Menopause

Menopause follows perimenopause and describes the condition in which a woman's menstrual cycle stops permanently. A woman is considered to have reached menopause 12 months after her last period, marking the end of her natural reproductive years.

After menopause

Postmenopause is the point after menopause when hormone production from the ovaries stops. This does not mean that hormone production stops completely in the body because hormones are also produced in places other than the ovaries, but overall levels decrease. Since hormones affect many parts of the body, not just the reproductive system, other health problems can occur in postmenopausal women. Bone density and cholesterol levels often change after menopause, and many women experience other physical differences such as changes in muscle tone, hair density, and changes in metabolism. Postmenopause can be medically confirmed by measuring the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). As the ovaries begin to atrophy, this level will increase significantly. It can be measured with a blood test.

Premature menopause

Occasionally, some women may experience premature menopause. This condition is called Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). A woman is considered to have POI when symptoms of menopause begin before the age of 40. The condition is relatively rare and its causes vary. Biological factors, chemotherapy, hysterectomy, and autoimmune diseases are some of the reasons a woman may experience early menopause. If a woman believes she is experiencing premature menopause, it is very important to consult her gynecologist.

Signs & Symptoms of Menopause

Not everyone experiences menopause the same way. Some women have very intense symptoms during menopause and feel uncomfortable and distressed. For other women, however, symptoms may be subtle or come on gradually. Common symptoms of menopause include:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Sleep difficulties such as insomnia or night sweats
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Urinary problems
• Changes in sexual desire and/or function
• Vaginal dryness

If a woman finds that her symptoms are interfering with her daily life, she should talk to her doctor, but even if she feels her symptoms are manageable, it is important to schedule regular visits to the gynecologist starting in perimenopause to benefit from preventive care and medical exams. In postmenopause, many of these symptoms often decrease or disappear completely, although some may persist.

Benefits of menopause

Menopause is often associated with its unpleasant symptoms, but there are also benefits. It is a new phase in life when women can say goodbye to the discomfort of periods, the anxiety of an unwanted pregnancy, uncomfortable PMS and the need for contraception.With the reproductive years behind us, menopause is the body's natural way of recognizing that women have much to offer beyond the responsibilities associated with childbearing. The postmenopausal years are a great time to embrace life in new and exciting ways.

Do you have questions about managing menopause?

Are you starting to see signs of menopause or are you worried about how to best manage your menopause symptoms? Contact us by calling (+30) 2310 220267 or by filling out the relevant contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!