Menopause occurs in a woman’s life when she stops having menstrual cycles and her body goes through changes that no longer allow her to become pregnant because the ovaries stop the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause naturally happens to women around the age 45 to 55. When women go through menopause, she will commonly experience menopausal transition (perimenopause) which means that her periods will stop and start for a period of time. The only way for a woman to tell if she has gone through menopause is if she has not had a period for one year.
Many women tend to be afraid of menopause because it can develop uncomfortable symptoms; however, treatment options are readily available to help cope with them. Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Vaginal or urinary complications
- Mood swings/mood changes
- Changing feelings towards sex
- Osteoporosis
In addition to seeking medical treatment to help painful symptoms, being active, eating healthy, quit smoking, and taking care of your gynecological health can help reduce symptoms as well.
