Menopause is a natural biological process that all women experience as they age. It refers to the point when a woman stops having her menstrual periods, marking the end of her reproductive years.
The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. During this transition time, usually starting in a woman's 40s, the body begins making less of the key hormones estrogen and progesterone. As a result, periods become less frequent and eventually stop altogether. Other common symptoms in perimenopause include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.
The average age for menopause in the U.S. is 51. But it can happen anywhere between the ages of 45 and 55. Every woman's experience is different. The age at which your mom or sister went through menopause can give you a clue about when it might happen for you. But there's no way to predict exactly.
Once a woman has gone 12 straight months without a period, she has officially reached menopause. At this point, her ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and her body is making much lower levels of estrogen and progesterone.
The years following menopause are called postmenopause. Many women find that troublesome symptoms like hot flashes improve during postmenopause. However, new health concerns can crop up too. Lower estrogen puts women at higher risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. So maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important.
For some guidance navigating menopause changes, I recommend contacting the hormonal health experts at Vital Hormones Clinic clinic. Their caring doctors can provide hormone therapy options to help manage symptoms, as well as lifestyle advice tailored to this transition.
Going through menopause is a major change, both physically and emotionally. But by understanding what to expect and getting proper support, many women are able to thrive in their postmenopausal years. The future looks bright!