(Peri)Menopause Resources

(Peri)Menopause Facts

Menopause, also called Change of Life, is the time during which menstruation has not occurred for 12 months, and pregnancy can longer occur.

The time leading up to menopause is called the menopausal transition, or perimenopause. This transition usually begins in the 40s, but sometimes it can start earlier. It can last for several years. The most common age for reaching menopause is between 45 and 55 years old.

A yearly appointment with a gynecologist is important for reviewing (peri)menopause symptoms, discussing treatment options, and taking steps to maintain and improve your health.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

During the menopausal transition, the ovaries start to make less of the estrogen and progesterone hormones. The changes in these hormones cause the symptoms of menopause, which can include:

• Changes in the duration, regularity, and flow of periods
• Hot flashes, a sudden warm feeling in the face, neck, and chest. If they happen at night and cause sweating, they are called night sweats.
• Trouble sleeping, which can lead to fatigue and memory problems over time.
• Vaginal dryness, which may cause pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Related conditions

Certain types of cancer treatments can cause women to have early menopause. This is menopause that occurs before age 40.

Menopause can also correspond with other physical changes that elevate risk for certain diseases. For example, the loss of estrogen can:

• Cause loss of bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and break easily.
• Raise cholesterol levels and increase risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Urinary incontinence. About half of postmenopausal women have trouble holding in their urine. Urinary incontinence, however, is not related to decreasing estrogen levels or menopause. Rather, overweight, diabetes, and increasing age are factors associated with urinary incontinence.
• Oral issues. Dry mouth and an increased risk for cavities are more common after menopause.

News and Events

FDA reverses decades of guidance on hormone therapy for menopause (NPR). 

ACOG President Says Label Change on Estrogen Will Increase Access to Hormone Therapy | ACOG