What to Expect in Menopause

Menopause is the biological process during which a woman's body begins to change into latter adulthood by decreasing the hormones necessary to become pregnant. During this time, which occurs over a period of almost 10 years, women often experience many symptoms as the result of lower levels of reproductive hormones in their bodies.

Stages of Menopause

• In most women, the process of naturally occurring menopause, or menopause that isn't caused by a hysterectomy, begins between the ages of 45 and 55. During this process, rapidly decreasing levels of female hormones within the body result in the loss of a woman's menstrual period. This signifies the end of her reproductive cycle.

  Menopause happens in three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. This process takes place over a period of approximately 5 to 10 years. During this time, symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness often make uncomfortable appearances. If they become excessively bothersome, these symptoms can usually be managed with medications and specialty products.

Perimenopause

• In her mid-to-late 40s, a woman typically begins to experience some irregularities in her menstrual periods. Even a formerly timely, predictable cycle may become less frequent or come at irregular intervals. This first stage of menopause, called perimenopause, usually lasts for several years, with some increase in the irregularity of the menstrual cycle as it progresses. During this stage, other symptoms may begin to appear.

  A decrease in fertility is likely during perimenopause. Because of the undependable nature of the menses, attempting pregnancy at this stage in life can be difficult. Some women also begin to experience mild vaginal dryness, mood swings and sleeping difficulties. These symptoms usually remain mild during perimenopause. However, they increase in severity after a woman has her last menstrual period.

Menopause

• Women experience menopause itself at a median age of 51 when, after perimenopause, they finally experience their last menstrual period. The telltale symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and severe vaginal dryness, occur most frequently at this stage.

  Once menopause occurs, estrogen in the body is almost completely depleted. The ovaries stop producing the hormone since their function is no longer necessary for reproduction. This drastic decrease in hormones causes the symptoms of menopause. These symptoms will peak and gradually decrease in severity as your body becomes used to the new hormone levels.

Post-Menopause

• A woman is considered post-menopause when she hasn't experienced a menstrual period for 12 months or more. During this time her menopausal symptoms peak and begin to decrease as the body starts to tolerate the absence of estrogen. However, symptoms can linger for more than 5 years.

  Once a woman reaches this third and final stage, she can be at risk for certain illnesses. Scientists believe that the rapid decrease in estrogen can cause osteoporosis in some female patients, leaving them susceptible to bone breakage and incapacitation. Post-menopausal women also have an increased risk of uterine cancer, cardiovascular disease and weight gain.

Treatment Options

• Many treatment options are available to alleviate the discomfort of menopausal symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone replacement pills and vaginal creams can be very effective for reducing hot flashes, night sweats and even vaginal dryness, as well as reducing the risk of osteoporosis. However, these medications also carry an increased risk of certain cancers.

  Herbal supplements like black cohosh, dong quai, red clover and maca root also help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

  Special vaginal lubricants can be used if vaginal dryness becomes bothersome. For some women, sex becomes uncomfortable after menopause because the vaginal tract is dry and can even bleed during sexual contact. Using a lubricant can make the vagina more comfortable and reduce dryness.