Menopausal

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. It is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.

Symptoms

Menopause symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Other symptoms may include vaginal dryness, weight gain, and thinning hair.

Causes

Menopause is caused by a natural decline in reproductive hormones when a woman reaches her 40s or 50s. The ovaries, where a woman's eggs are produced, also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When the ovaries no longer release an egg every month, menstruation stops and menopause begins.

Treatment

Treatment for menopause depends on many factors, including the severity of symptoms, overall health, and personal preference. Options can include Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), vaginal estrogen, low-dose antidepressants, and medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

See also

• Perimenopause
• Postmenopause
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

References

Menopausal Resources
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