Menopausal problems

When does menopause begin and how long does it last? Most women first begin developing menopause symptoms about four years before their last period. Symptoms often continue until about four years after a woman’s last period. A small number of women experience menopause symptoms for up to a decade before menopause actually occurs, and 1 in 10 women experience menopausal symptoms for 12 years following their last period. The median age for menopause is 51, though it may occur on average up to two years earlier for African-American and Latina women. More studies are needed to understand the onset of menopause for non-Caucasian women. There are many factors that help determine when you’ll begin menopause, including genetics and ovary health. Perimenopause occurs before menopause. Perimenopause is a time when your hormones begin to change in preparation for menopause. It can last anywhere from a few months to several years. Many women begin perimenopause some point after their mid-40s. Other women skip perimenopause and enter menopause suddenly. About 1 percent of women begin menopause before the age of 40, which is called premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency. About 5 percent of women undergo menopause between the ages of 40 and 45. This is referred to as early menopause.

Perimenopause vs. menopause vs. postmenopause During perimenopause, menstrual periods become irregular. Your periods may be late, or you may completely skip one or more periods. Menstrual flow may also become heavier or lighter. Menopause is defined as a lack of menstruation for one full year. Postmenopause refers to the years after menopause has occurred. What are the symptoms of menopause? Every woman’s menopause experience is unique. Symptoms are usually more severe when menopause occurs suddenly or over a shorter period of time. Conditions that impact the health of the ovary, like cancer or hysterectomy, or certain lifestyle choices, like smoking, tend to increase the severity and duration of symptoms. Aside from menstruation changes, the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause are generally the same. The most common early signs of perimenopause are: less frequent menstruation heavier or lighter periods than you normally experience vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and flushing An estimated 75 percent of women experience hot flashes with menopause. Other common symptoms of menopause include: insomnia vaginal dryness weight gain depression anxiety difficulty concentrating memory problems reduced libido, or sex drive dry skin, mouth, and eyes increased urination sore or tender breasts headaches racing heart urinary tract infections (UTIs) reduced muscle mass painful or stiff joints reduced bone mass less full breasts hair thinning or loss increased hair growth on other areas of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and upper back Complications Common complications of menopause include: vulvovaginal atrophy dyspareunia, or painful intercourse slower metabolic function osteoporosis, or weaker bones with reduced mass and strength mood or sudden emotional changes cataracts periodontal disease urinary incontinence heart or blood vessel disease Why does menopause occur? Menopause is a natural process that occurs as the ovaries age and produce less reproductive hormones. The body begins to undergo several changes in response to lower levels of: estrogen progesterone testosterone follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH) One of the most notable changes is the loss of active ovarian follicles. Ovarian follicles are the structures that produce and release eggs from the ovary wall, allowing menstruation and fertility. Most women first notice the frequency of their period becoming less consistent, as the flow becomes heavier and longer. This usually occurs at some point in the mid-to-late 40s. By the age of 52, most U.S. women have undergone menopause. In some cases, menopause is induced, or caused by injury or surgical removal of the ovaries and related pelvic structures. Common causes of induced menopause include: bilateral oophorectomy, or surgical removal of the ovaries ovarian ablation, or the shutdown of ovary function, which may be done by hormone therapy, surgery, or radiotherapy techniques in women with estrogen receptor-positive tumors pelvic radiation pelvic injuries that severely damage or destroy the ovaries