Every woman’s period will stop at menopause. Some women have no other symptoms. But many women notice changes in body, mind, and mood at this stage of life. We don’t always know if these changes are related to menopause, aging, or both. Some changes you might notice include:
* Changes in your period. The time between periods and the flow from month to month may be different.
* Abnormal bleeding or “spotting.” This is common as you near menopause. But if your periods have stopped for 12 months in a row, and you still have “spotting,” you should talk to your doctor to rule out serious causes, like cancer.
* Night sweats. Hot flashes that occur while a woman is sleeping and cause her to perspire. They can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.
* Sleeping problems. Lack of sleep can affect your mood, health, and ability to cope with everyday stress.
* Vaginal changes. The vagina may become dry and thin, and sex and vaginal exams may be painful. You also might get more vaginal infections.
* Thinning of your bones. This may lead to loss of height and bone breaks (osteoporosis).
* Emotional changes. May include mood swings, sadness, tearfulness, and irritability. Although menopause does not cause depression, women are at a higher risk of depression in the years leading up to menopause. Some researchers think that the decrease in estrogen levels plays a role in the onset of depression in some women. Also, lack of sleep can strain a woman’s emotional health.
* Urinary problems. You may have leaking, burning or pain when urinating, or leaking when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
* Problems with memory and staying focused. You may notice you are more forgetful or have trouble concentrating.
* Sex drive decreases. You may have less interest in sex and changes in sexual response.
* Weight fluctuation. Weight gain or increase in body fat around your waist.
* Hair loss or thinning. Hair thinning or loss is a problem for some women.
Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Menopause is a normal change in a woman’s life when her period stops. It is often called the “change of life.” During perimenopause, a woman’s body slowly makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. 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 from 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 all you can about menopause, and talking with your doctor about your health and your 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.
Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when you start to notice menopause-related changes–plus the year after menopause. Perimenopause is what some people call “being in menopause” or “going through menopause.” But menopause itself is only one day–the day you haven’t had a period for 12 months in a row. During perimenopause, your ovaries start to shut down, making less of certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone), and you begin to lose the ability to become pregnant. This change is a natural part of aging that signals the ending of your reproductive years.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Many aging women enjoy an active sex life. Yet, many women are not aware of their risk of getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. If you have more than one sexual partner or have started a new sexual relationship, talk with your partner about using condoms before having sex. Latex condoms used correctly and every time you have any type of sexual contact offer the best protection against STIs. Dental dams (used for oral sex) and female condoms also can help protect you from some STIs.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you’re still having periods, even if they are not regular, you can get pregnant. Talk to your doctor about your options for birth control. Keep in mind that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Perimenopause causes changes in your body that you may or may not notice. For most women, the discomforts associated with perimenopause are minimal and manageable. Some things you might experience in the perimenopause years include:
- Changes in your menstrual cycle (longer or shorter periods, heavier or lighter periods, or missed periods)
- Hot flashes (sudden rush of heat from your chest to your head)
- Night sweats (hot flashes that happen while you sleep)
- Vaginal dryness
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes (mood swings, sadness, or irritability)
- Pain during sex
- More urinary infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Less interest in sex
- Increase in body fat around your waist
- Problems with concentration and memory
You can’t always tell if physical or emotional changes are related to menopause, the normal aging process, or something else. But by monitoring your menstrual cycle and recording your signs and symptoms for several months, you’ll gain a better understanding of the changes occurring during this time. You will also have valuable information to discuss with your doctor should you have a concern.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are often the treatment of choice to relieve perimenopausal symptoms — even if you don’t need them for birth control. Today’s low-dose pills regulate periods and stop or reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and premenstrual syndrome.
Making lifestyle changes may help ease the discomfort of your symptoms and keep you healthy in the long run.
- Good nutrition. Because your risk of osteoporosis (bone disease) and heart disease increases at this time, a healthy eating plan is more important than ever. Adopt a low-fat, high-fiber eating plan that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Add calcium-rich foods or take a calcium supplement. Limit alcohol or caffeine, which can affect sleep. If you smoke, try to quit.
- Regular exercise. Regular physical activity helps keep your weight down, improves your sleep, strengthens your bones, and elevates your mood. Try to exercise for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week.
- Stress reduction. Practiced regularly, stress reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga can help you relax and tolerate your symptoms more easily.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Perimenopause marks the time when your body begins the transition to menopause. It includes the years leading up to menopause — anywhere from two to eight years — plus the first year after your final period. There is no way to tell in advance how long it will last OR how long it will take you to go through it. It’s a natural part of aging that signals the ending of your reproductive years.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Menopause is called “premature” if it happens at or before the age of 40. For some women, it happens naturally. This could be due to family history of premature menopause. For other women, it is brought on by medical means, such as:
- Medical treatments, such as surgery to remove the ovaries
- Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvic area that damage the ovaries — although menopause does not always occur
For women who want to have children, premature menopause can be a source of great distress. Women who still want to become pregnant can talk with their doctors about other ways of having children, such as donor egg programs or adoption.
Having premature menopause puts a woman at more risk for osteoporosis later in her life. If you have premature menopause, talk to your doctor about whether MHT might be an option for you. We don’t know for sure how MHT might affect younger women. But some researchers think that for these younger women, the risks of MHT use are likely to be smaller and the benefits greater than those in older women who begin MHT at or beyond the typical age of menopause.
Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sometimes, younger women need a hysterectomy to treat health problems such as endometriosis or cancer. A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman’s uterus. Often one or both ovaries are removed at the same time the hysterectomy is done. If you haven’t reached menopause, a hysterectomy will stop your period. But, you will reach menopause only if both ovaries are removed, called surgical menopause. Because surgical menopause is instant menopause, it can cause more severe symptoms than natural menopause. Menopause that is natural occurs as part of the natural aging process. You should talk with your doctor about how to best manage these symptoms.
Women who have a hysterectomy but have their ovaries left in place will not reach menopause at the time of surgery because their ovaries will continue to make hormones. But, because the uterus is removed, they will no longer have their periods and they cannot become pregnant. Later on, they might reach natural menopause a year or two earlier than expected.
Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
An active lifestyle can lower your risk of early death from a variety of causes and help you maintain a healthy weight. It also might improve your mood and help you to sleep better. For older adults, activity can improve mental function. Health benefits are gained by doing the following each week:
- 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity
or
- 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity
or
- A combination of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity
and
- Muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days of the week
If you are not active, ask your doctor what’s okay for you. Activity is important for everyone.
Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Comments (0) 
