Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period stops. That's why some people call it "the change of life." During menopause, a woman's body slowly makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row and there are no other causes for this change.
As you near menopause, you may have symptoms as a result of the changes your body is making. Many women wonder if these changes are normal, and many are confused about how to treat their symptoms. You can feel better by learning as much as possible about menopause and talking with your doctor about your health and symptoms. If you want to treat your symptoms, your doctor can tell you more about your options and help you make the best treatment choices.
Early Symptoms of Menopause (Perimenopause)
Menopause is a normal part of life, just like puberty. It is the time of your last period, but symptoms can begin several years before your last period and last for months, or even years, thereafter. Sometime around age 40, you might notice that your period is different -- how long it lasts, how much you bleed, or how often it happens may not be the same. Or, without warning, you might find yourself feeling very warm during the day or in the middle of the night. Changing levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are two female hormones made in your ovaries, might lead to these symptoms.
Many women and their doctors call this time of change "perimenopause." Perimenopause often begins several years before your last menstrual period. It lasts for one year after your last period. A full year without a period is needed before you can say you have been "through menopause." Postmenopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life.
Menopause doesn't usually happen before you are 40, but it can happen any time from your 30s to your mid-50s or later. The average age of women who reach menopause is 51.
Smoking can lead to early menopause. Some types of surgery can also bring on perimenopause (early menopause). For example, removing your uterus (hysterectomy) before menopause will make your periods stop, but your ovaries will still make hormones. That means you could still have
symptoms of menopause, like
hot flashes, when your ovaries start to make less estrogen. But when both ovaries are also removed (oophorectomy),
menopause symptoms can start right away -- no matter what your age is -- because your body has lost its main supply of estrogen.
