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What is menopause?

Menopause is the cessation of the menstrual cycle (periods) in women. Women may have erratic and infrequent periods for several years before periods stop completely.

During menopause:

            Ovaries stop maturing eggs

            Ovaries decrease production of the hormone estrogen and do not produce the hormone progesterone

            Ovaries continue to produce testosterone, which is also a hormone made by the adrenal glands

When does menopause occur?

The average age that a woman experiences menopause is 51 years. Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. However, some women have early menopause, which can occur in their late 30s to early 40s. Others may continue to have periods into their late 50s.

The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause, which can range from 2 to 10 years. During perimenopause, periods can stop and then start again.

Hormone testing generally is not helpful to determine when menopause will occur because estrogen and progesterone levels go up and down during the menstrual cycle and cannot predict when a woman is close to menopause. Levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) increase as a woman nears menopause, but a test cannot predict exactly when menopause will occur.

What are the most common symptoms of menopause?

Each woman may experience the symptoms of menopause differently. Some women have no symptoms before or after their periods stop, while others may have some or all common symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

            Hot flashes, which are a sudden feeling of warmth, especially in the face and upper body

            Night sweats, which can disrupt sleep

            Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night

            Urinary frequency, urgency or leakage

            Mood changes or irritability

            Difficulty concentrating

            Vaginal dryness or discomfort with sexual activity

            Changes in sexual desire

What are treatment options for the symptoms of menopause?

Specific treatment for menopause should be recommended by a health care provider based on a patient’s:

            Overall health and medical history

            Current symptoms

            Tolerance for specific medications or therapies

            Opinion or preference

Medical treatment options for hot flashes and night sweats, also called vasomotor symptoms, may include:

            Hormone therapy using estrogen and progestin

            Various antidepressants

            Gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication

            Clonidine, a medication for high blood pressure

A health care provider may recommend other lifestyle changes to reduce the symptoms of menopause, including:

            Identifying and avoiding the triggers that may lead to vasomotor symptoms

            Dressing in layers, so you can remove some clothing when you are having a hot flash

            Taking slow, deep breaths when a hot flash starts, also called paced respiration

            Eating a healthy diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the frequency of vasomotor symptoms

            Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D to maintain strong bones

            Exercising regularly to stay healthy and maintain balance

Herbal or other supplements available over the counter for the treatment of menopausal symptoms are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have not been tested in FDA-approved clinical trials for their effectiveness. It is important to consult a health care provider and discuss herbal supplements before beginning use.