As a natural part of the aging process, menopause affects women who have gone 12 months without menstrual periods. The period before menopause is known as perimenopause, when most women experience changes in their menstrual cycle. The hormonal changes lead to symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. 
 

Different Stages of Menopause

The natural menopause process gradually occurs in three phases. The first is perimenopause or the menopause transition, which can begin 10 years before the actual menopause. It usually starts when a woman is in her forties and is the period where the ovaries produce less estrogen. It lasts until menopause, when the ovaries stop producing eggs. 
 

The second stage is menopause, when the woman no longer has menstrual periods, and the ovaries stop releasing eggs. The post-menopause phase is the period after menopause where the symptoms usually subside. 
 

What Causes Menopause 

Menopause is a natural part of aging; it is not due to a medical condition or surgery. It is an end to menstruation without the surgical removal of ovaries or the use of hormonal birth control. The reproductive cycle functions continuously from puberty. 
 

As women age, the reproductive cycle slows down as it prepares to cease. The ovaries produce less estrogen, and the menstrual cycle changes. It becomes irregular before it stops. As the body adapts to changing hormone levels, women experience physical changes that cause various symptoms.
 

Symptoms of Menopause 

The average age of menopause is 51, but some women transition earlier or later. Most women experience symptoms during the transition period. They include:
 

·      Hot flashes.

·      Cold flashes or night sweats.

·      Urinary urgency.

·      Vaginal dryness.

·      Mood swings, irritability, or mild depression. 

·      Insomnia or difficulty sleeping. 

·      Irregular periods or periods that may be lighter or heavier than usual.

·      Worsening PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

·      Dry skin, eyes, or mouth. 

·      Breast tenderness. 
 

Some women experience joint and muscle pain, headaches, changes in sex drive, weight gain, hair loss, and a racing heart. Some have memory lapses or difficulty concentrating. 
 

Managing Menopause Symptoms 

Women experience different menopause symptoms. Some have mild symptoms, while others experience severe symptoms that require treatment. Various treatments can help to reduce uncomfortable symptoms. 
 

Healthcare providers may recommend hormone therapy or nonhormonal treatments to meet every individual's unique needs. Management can boost estrogen and progesterone production, which helps reduce symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Treatment can also help prevent osteoporosis. 
 

Regaining Control After Menopause 

If you have gone for 12 months without menstrual periods, you are in menopause. Healthcare providers recommend hormone therapy options, including estrogen therapy (ET) and estrogen/progestin hormone therapy (EPT). 
 

There are nonhormonal management options that can help relieve menopause symptoms. They include changing diet, exercising, using prescription medications, and avoiding triggers for hot flashes. 
 

Many women find relief in joining support groups for women going through menopause. If you experience symptoms, talk to a health specialist about the best management option based on your symptoms.
 

For more on hormonal changes during menopause, visit Full Life. Our office is in Nashville, Tennessee. Call (615) 805-5600 to book an appointment today.