Menopause Health Article

Definition

Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether.

Alternative Names

Perimenopause; Postmenopause

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.

Once menopause is complete (called postmenopause), you can no longer become pregnant.

The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. As the ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. The specific symptoms you experience and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) varies from woman to woman.

In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it tapers off. During this time, your menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 to 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely.

A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are removed surgically (called surgical menopause), symptoms can be more severe.

Because hormone levels fall, changes occur in the entire female reproductive system. The vaginal walls become less elastic and thinner. The vagina becomes shorter. Lubricating secretions from the vagina become watery. The outside genital tissue decreases. This is called atrophy of the labia.

Symptoms

The potential symptoms include:

• Decreased sex drive
• Hot flashes and skin flushing
• Insomnia
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety
• Night sweats
• Spotting of blood in between periods
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse
• Vaginal infections

In addition, the long-term effects of menopause include:

• Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis
• Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease

Signs and tests

Blood and urine tests can be used to measure hormone levels that may indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has already gone through menopause. Examples of these tests include:

• Estradiol
• FSH
• LH

A pelvic exam may indicate changes in the vaginal lining caused by declining estrogen levels. The doctor may perform a bone density test to screen for low bone density levels that occur with osteoporosis.