When does menopause begin?
A woman is said to have reached menopause when she has not had a period for a full year. The average age of menopause is 51, but can be earlier or later in some families of women. Menopause is preceded by a transition period called perimenopause, which lasts from three to eight years and is characterized by irregular periods, mood instability and hot flashes. It is possible for a woman to move directly into menopause with none of the perimenopause symptoms.
What are the typical symptoms of someone who has entered the menopause phase?
Eighty five percent of women have minor or no symptoms. The other fifteen percent experience hot flashes, mood disorders, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and/or memory problems.
What are the most common approaches to treating the symptoms that come with menopause?
Mild symptoms are managed with good diet, exercise, black cohosh, progesterone cream, and melatonin to help with sleep. When symptoms affect a woman’s ability to carry on her daily routine, we consider hormone replacement therapy – estrogen and progesterone, for women who have a uterus and estrogen only for women without a uterus. We may add testosterone if depression and decreased libido are problems. The creams, gels, or patches are the preferred routes of delivery because they bypass the GI tract and get directly into the bloodstream. There is currently no evidence that bio-identical hormone preparations, made by compounding pharmacies, should be used. A predisposition for osteoporosis may also influence our decision to recommend hormone replacement therapy.
Do most women experience the same menopause symptoms?
Menopause symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Most women have very minor or no symptoms. The rest will have moderate to severe symptoms in a variety of combinations that include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, depression, memory loss and insomnia. It is important to note that many other medical conditions can mimic the symptoms of menopause, so patients should undergo a thorough physical exam to rule out other underlying medical conditions.
If I am well into the menopause phase and I have not experienced any symptoms, am I likely to experience them later?
The symptoms of menopause can last for several years after you have stopped having periods, but they usually go away with time. It is unusual for you to develop symptoms for the first time years after you stop menstruating.
Schedule an appointment today to talk with one of our physicians to learn more about the menopause symptoms you are experiencing.
An additional source of information on menopause may be reviewed on the Mayo Clinic website.