When consecutive 12 months goes without a menstrual period, Menopause occurs. Changing levels of estrogen and progesterone, two female hormones made in the ovaries, lead to symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
As life gracefully unfolds, there comes a time when a significant change takes place within you—a change known as menopause. It is a natural phase of life where the monthly rhythm of womanhood fades away, signaling the end of your fertile years. This transformative period usually occurs between your late 40s and early 50s, marking a new chapter in your journey.
However, people who have their ovaries surgically removed undergo "sudden" surgical menopause.
Menopause, excluding cases caused by surgery or other medical conditions, is a normal part of the aging process. It is defined as a full year without menstrual bleeding, not influenced by surgical interventions or medical factors that may artificially halt bleeding, such as:
Approaching menopause, your ovaries produce less of a hormone called estrogen. This reduction triggers changes in your menstrual cycle, causing irregularity and eventually ceasing altogether. Alongside these changes, your body undergoes physical adjustments to adapt to varying hormone levels.
The symptoms experienced throughout the different stages of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause) are all part of your body's response to these transformations. Our compassionate team at Nimai's Borneo Mother and Child Hospitals is here to provide support, guidance, and expertise to help you navigate through this transformative period with grace and confidence.
Menopause is the phase in a woman's life when she has gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. It signifies the end of her reproductive years. Before reaching menopause, there is a transitional period called Perimenopause that typically lasts for eight to ten years.
The time after menopause which is called, post menopause will last until the end of your life.
When we talk about "menopause," we refer to the natural process where the ovaries gradually decrease hormone production. The ovaries, responsible for storing eggs and releasing them into the fallopian tubes, produce essential hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Estrogen and progesterone work together to control the menstrual cycle. They also have additional functions, such as influencing calcium usage in the body and maintaining cholesterol levels in the blood. These hormonal changes are a normal part of the menopause journey.
As your body adjusts to lower hormone levels, you may experience various symptoms and physical changes. While every person's experience is unique, our team is here to provide support, guidance, and personalized care to help you navigate through this transformative stage.
As menopause nears, your ovaries no longer release eggs into the fallopian tubes, and you’ll have your last menstrual cycle.
Natural menopause refers to the permanent cessation of menstruation without any medical intervention. It is a natural phase that marks the end of a person's reproductive years.
For people undergoing natural menopause, the process is gradual and is described in three stages:
Perimenopause or "menopause transition":
Perimenopause is the transitional phase that precedes menopause, and it can last for approximately eight to 10 years. During this time, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, which typically begins in your 40s.
Perimenopause continues until menopause. At this time ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the decline in estrogen levels accelerates. It is during this stage that many individuals may start experiencing symptoms commonly associated with menopause. However, it's important to note that you can still have menstrual cycles and the possibility of getting pregnant during this time.
Menopause:
Menopause is the stage in a woman's life when menstrual periods come to an end. During this time, the ovaries cease releasing eggs and produce less estrogen. A diagnosis of menopause is made when you have not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.
Post menopause:
Postmenopause refers to the period in a woman's life after she has not had a menstrual period for an entire year, marking the end of the menopause transition. During this stage, many menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, tend to ease for most individuals. However, it's important to note that some people may continue to experience these symptoms for ten years or more.
As estrogen levels remain lower during postmenopause, there is an increased risk for certain health conditions, including osteoporosis and heart disease. However, with proper care and lifestyle choices, you can mitigate these risks and maintain your well-being.
Menopause is a natural process that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. It is a normal part of aging for most individuals. However, there are instances when menopause can happen earlier than expected.
This can be due to surgical interventions, such as the removal of the ovaries, or damage to the ovaries caused by treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. When menopause occurs before the age of 45, it is referred to as early menopause. If it happens at 40 or younger, it is considered premature menopause. In cases where there is no medical or surgical reason for premature menopause, it is known as primary ovarian insufficiency.
The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown. However, research suggests that genes may play a role in this disorder. In case your mother or sister has a history of PCOS, it is advisable to visit a PCOS center on a regular basis, to ensure that any potential complications are arrested immediately. Another possible cause may be hormonal changes in your body. The sex hormones lose balance. Normally, the ovaries make a small quantity of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly increased androgens. The body may have a problem called insulin resistance where it is unable to utilize insulin, When the body is unable to utilize insulin, blood sugar levels go up. Over time, this increases your chance of getting diabetes. Low-grade inflammation – Your body’s white blood cells produce substances to fight infection in a response called inflammation. Research shows that women with PCOS have low-grade inflammation and that this type of low-grade inflammation spurs polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.
These symptoms mark the beginning of the menopause:
Those who are still in the menopause transition (perimenopause) may also experience:
During menopause, some individuals may experience symptoms that indicate a decrease in estrogen production or fluctuations in hormone levels. It's important to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. However, if you notice new symptoms like a racing heart, urinary changes, headaches, or other medical issues, it's crucial to rule out other potential causes.
While these symptoms can be associated with menopause, they can also be indicators of other underlying conditions. Consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended.
Hot flashes are one of the most frequent symptoms of menopause. It's a brief sensation of heat. Hot flashes aren’t the same for everyone and there’s no definitive reason that they happen. Aside from the heat, hot flashes can also come with:
Hot flashes not only feel different for each person, but they also can last for various amounts of time. Some people only have hot flashes for a short period of time during menopause. Others can have hot flash for the rest of their life. Typically, hot flashes are less severe as time goes on. The intensity, duration and frequency of hot flashes differ for everyone.
There are quite a few normal things in your daily life that could set off a hot flash. Some things to look out for include:
Yes, it's possible for menopause to cause increased facial hair growth. During menopause, your body undergoes hormonal changes that can lead to various physical changes, including the growth of more facial hair than you had before. This change is primarily due to testosterone levels being relatively higher compared to estrogen levels.
Unfortunately, concentration and minor memory problems can be a normal part of menopause. Though this doesn’t happen to everyone, it can happen. If you’re having memory problems during menopause, call your healthcare provider. Several activities have been shown to stimulate the brain and help rejuvenate your memory. These activities can include:
Keep in mind that depression and anxiety can also impact your memory. These conditions can be linked to menopause.
Your body goes through a lot of changes during menopause. There are extreme shifts in your hormone levels, you may not sleep well because of hot flashes, and you may experience mood swings. Anxiety and fear could also be at play during this time. All these factors can lead to depression.
If you experience any of the symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. During your conversation, your provider will tell you about different types of treatment and check to make sure there isn’t another medical condition causing your depression. Thyroid problems can sometimes be the cause of depression.
Menopause can bring about a range of emotional changes, which may include:
It's important to note that these emotional changes can occur at any point in life, not just during menopause. You might have experienced some of these feelings before. Coping with emotional changes during menopause can be challenging, but there are ways to manage them
Unfortunately, bladder control issues (also called urinary incontinence) are common for people going through menopause. There are several reasons why this happens, including:
Specific bladder control problems that you might have can include:
During a hysterectomy, your uterus is removed. You won’t have a period after this procedure. However, if you kept your ovaries (removal of your ovaries is called an oophorectomy) You may not have symptoms of menopause right away. If your ovaries are also removed, you will have symptoms of menopause immediately.
One common approach is to discuss your menstrual cycle history over the past year. Unlike many other medical conditions, menopause is identified retrospectively. If you have experienced a complete absence of periods for a continuous period of 12 months, you have reached menopause and are considered postmenopausal.
Menopause is a natural process that your body goes through. In some cases, you may not need any treatment for menopause. When discussing treatment for menopause with your provider, it’s about treating the symptoms of menopause that disrupt your life. There are many different types of treatments for the symptoms of menopause. Main types of treatment for menopause are:
It's important to talk to your healthcare provider while you are going through menopause to craft a treatment plan that works for you. Every person is different and has unique needs.
Menopause brings significant hormonal changes to your body, leading to a decrease in the production of hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are normally produced by the ovaries. When the ovaries start producing less estrogen and progesterone, hormone therapy can be prescribed as a supplement. This therapy helps increase hormone levels and can alleviate certain menopausal symptoms. Additionally, it is used as a preventive measure against osteoporosis.
The two main types of hormone therapy are:
Hormone therapy can help in relieving many symptoms of menopause, including:
Like most prescribed medications, there are risks for hormone therapy. Some known health risks include:
These risks are lower if you start hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause. After that point, your risk for cardiovascular diseases is higher.
A correlation exists between severe hot flashes and night sweats and your risk for cardiovascular disease. Healthcare providers may suggest starting hormone therapy if you have these severe symptoms since it's an indicator for future cardiovascular risk.
Going on hormone therapy is an individualized decision. Discuss all past medical conditions and your family history with your healthcare provider to understand the risks versus benefits of hormone therapy for you.
Though hormone therapy is a very effective method for relieving menopause symptoms, it’s not the perfect treatment for everyone. Non-hormonal treatments include changes to your diet and lifestyle. These treatments are often good options for people who have other medical conditions or have recently been treated for breast cancer. The main non-hormonal treatments that your provider may recommend include:
Sometimes changing your diet can help relieve menopause symptoms. Limiting the amount ofcaffeine you consume every day and cutting back on spicy foods can make your hot flashes less severe. You can also add foods that contain plant estrogen into your diet. Plant estrogen (isoflavones) isn’t a replacement for the estrogen made in your body before menopause. Foods to try including:
Certain things in your daily life could be triggers for hot flashes. To help relieve your symptoms, try and identify these triggers and work around them. This could include keeping your bedroom cool at night, wearing layers of clothing, or quitting smoking. Weight loss can also help with hot flashes.
Working out can be difficult if you are dealing with hot flashes, but exercising can help relieve several other symptoms of menopause. Exercise can help you sleep through the night and is recommended if you have insomnia. Calm, tranquil types of exercise like yoga can also help with your mood and relieve any fears or anxiety you may be feeling.
Talking to other people who are also going through menopause can be a great relief for many. Joining a support group can not only give you an outlet for the many emotions running through your head, but also help you answer questions you may not even know you have.
Prescription medications can be used to manage menopausal symptoms such as mood swings and hot flashes. These medications include estrogen therapy (available in cream, gel, or pill form), birth control pills, and certain antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs). Vaginal creams can help with vaginal dryness, and a medication called gabapentin, typically used for seizures, has been found to relieve hot flashes. It's important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if non-hormonal medications are suitable for managing your symptoms.
The possibility of pregnancy disappears once you are postmenopausal, you have been without your period for an entire year (assuming there is no other medical condition for the lack of menstrual bleeding). However, you can get pregnant during the menopause transition (perimenopause). If you don’t want to become pregnant, you should continue to use some form of birth control until you have gone fully through menopause. Ask your healthcare provider before you stop using contraception.
For some people, getting pregnant can be difficult once they’re in their late 30s and 40s because of a decline in fertility. However, if becoming pregnant is the goal, there are fertility-enhancing treatments and techniques that can help you get pregnant. Make sure to speak to your healthcare provider about these options.
TAfter menopause, there are several health conditions that you may be at a higher risk for. The likelihood of developing these conditions depends on various factors, including your family history, your pre-menopause health, and lifestyle choices such as smoking. There are two conditions that affect your health after menopause-
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become less dense and more fragile, making them prone to fractures. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone mass by signaling cells in the bones to stop breaking down. After menopause, individuals typically lose about 25% of their bone mass by the age of 60 due to decreased estrogen levels.
This bone loss over time increases the risk of fractures. To assess bone strength, healthcare providers may recommend bone mineral density testing, also known as bone densitometry, which measures the amount of calcium in specific areas of the bones. This test helps detect osteoporosis and its precursor, osteopenia, which is characterized by decreased bone density. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, treatment options may include estrogen therapy.
It is the narrowing or blockage of arteries that surround the heart muscle. This happens when fatty plaque builds up in the artery walls (known as atherosclerosis). This buildup is associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. After menopause, your risk for coronary artery disease increases because of several things, including:
A healthy diet, quitting bad habits like smoking and drinking, and getting regular exercise are your best options to prevent heart disease. Treating hypertension and diabetes as well as maintaining cholesterol levels with medications for selected at-risk people are the standards of care.
The benefits and risks of hormone therapy depend on a woman's age and personal history. Generally, women in their 50s tend to benefit more from hormone therapy compared to those in their 60s who have already gone through menopause. For individuals who experience early menopause, hormone therapy is often prescribed until the age of 50 to mitigate the heightened risk resulting from prolonged estrogen loss.
During menopause, some individuals may struggle with sleep difficulties and insomnia. Insomnia refers to the difficulty of falling asleep or staying asleep at night. This can occur as a normal consequence of menopause or may be triggered by other menopausal symptoms. Hot flashes, in particular, are often responsible for sleep disturbances during this stage.
If hot flashes disrupt your sleep, you can try the following suggestions:
Additionally, it can be helpful to avoid certain foods and behaviors that trigger hot flashes. For example, if spicy food tends to provoke hot flashes, it's best to avoid consuming anything spicy before bedtime.
After menopause, your body has less estrogen. This major change in your hormonal balance can affect your sex life. Many people experiencing menopause may notice that they’re not as easily aroused as before. Sometimes, people also may be less sensitive to touch and other physical contact than before menopause.
These feelings, coupled with the other emotional changes you may be experiencing, can all lead to a decreased interest in sex. Keep in mind that your body is going through a lot of change during menopause. Some of the other factors that can play a role in a decreased sex drive can include:
All of these factors can disrupt your life and even cause tension in your relationship. In addition to these changes, the lower levels of estrogen in your body can cause a decrease in the blood supply to the vagina. This can cause dryness. When you don’t have the right amount of lubrication in the vagina, it can be thin, pale and dry. This can lead to painful intercourse.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your healthcare provider about any decreases you are experiencing in your sex drive. Your provider will discuss options to help you feel better. For example, vaginal dryness can be treated with over the counter, water-soluble or silicone lubricants. Your healthcare provider can also prescribe estrogen or nonestrogen hormones to treat the vaginal tissue. This may be prescribed in a low-dose cream, pill or vaginal ring.
Not all people experience a decreased sexual desire. In some cases, it’s just the opposite. This could be because there’s no longer any fear of getting pregnant. For many, this allows them to enjoy sex without worrying about family planning.
However, it's still important to use protection (condoms) during sex if not in a monogamous relationship. Once the doctor makes the diagnosis of menopause, you can no longer become pregnant. However, when you are in the menopause transition (perimenopause), you can still become pregnant. You also need to protect yourself from sexually transmitted disease by wearing a condom. You can get an STI at any time in your life (even if you are not getting a period). STIs like HPV (human papilloma virus) can lead to cervical cancer. :
You should still be able to enjoy sex after menopause. Sometimes, decreased sex drive is related to discomfort and painful intercourse. After treating the source of this pain (vaginal dryness), many people enjoy intimacy again. Hormone therapy can also help many people. If you are having difficulties enjoying sex after menopause, talk to your healthcare provider.
Menopause is a time of life that can bring positive experiences. Unfortunately, there are many myths that lead to misunderstandings about this natural aging process. While menopause may come with noticeable and sometimes uncomfortable changes, it's important to know that these can be effectively managed.
You will know that you have reached menopause when you have gone 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period. If you experience any vaginal bleeding after menopause, it's important to contact your healthcare provider. Vaginal bleeding after menopause could indicate a more serious health issue, such as endometrial cancer.
Yes, you can still have an orgasm after menopause. An orgasm may feel hard to achieve once you have reached menopause, but there is no physical reason to prevent you from having an orgasm. Using lubricants and increasing foreplay can help with discomfort. Try to be open with your partner about your feelings and talk to them about what feels good.
Andropause, or male menopause, is a term given to describe decreasing testosterone levels in men. Testosterone production in men declines much more gradually than estrogen production in women at about 1% per year. Healthcare providers often debate calling this slow decline in testosterone menopause since it’s not as drastic of a hormone shift and doesn't carry the same intensity of side effects as menopause in women. Some men will not even notice the change. It is so because it happens over many years or decades. Other names for the male version of menopause are age-related low testosterone, male hypogonadism or androgen deficiency.
No, you can’t get pregnant after menopause because ovulation is no longer occurring. Once you have gone 12 months without a period, you are considered to have reached menopause.
Nimai Institute of Medical Sciences Private Limited (NIMS) was founded by its founder chairman Dr Santosh N. Madrewar, a renowned Pediatrician, who has designed an unique Mother and Child Health Concept, integrating modern medical management with Ayurvedic treatments and traditional Indian ethos making Pregnancy and Birthing a Joyous Celebrations and Child development focused on Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual Well-being.
WhatsApp here
