Frequently Asked Questions on Menopause
Q: What is Menopause?
A: Menopause, often referred to as “the change of life,” is the natural transition out of childbearing years. Menopause in women is the reverse of puberty. It is usually confirmed when you have not had a period for 12 months in a row (with other causes for this change ruled out). Menopause starts when your body’s level of the hormone estrogen falls permanently to very low levels and your menstrual periods stop for good. Menopause is also known as “the change of life.”
Q: When Does Menopause Usually Begin?
A: Menopause symptoms like hot flashes and irregular menstrual cycles can begin for women in their late 30s or early 40s during the perimenopause phase of a woman’s life. Natural menopause is typically complete in the late 40s or early 50s.
Q: What is Perimenopause?
A: Perimenopause is the phase before menopause when ovarian hormone production begins to decline and fluctuate. Typically, perimenopause is the period about three or four years before menopause, though some women can begin the perimenopause phase of their life many years before menopause.
Q: What Is Surgical Menopause?
A: Sometimes, younger women need a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries) to treat health problems such as endometriosis or cancer. After your surgery, you will enter into what is known as induced or surgical menopause. This is menopause that happens to your body right away, and it is brought on by the surgery. You will no longer have periods. Since your ovaries will be removed, you may have many menopausal symptoms right away, instead of gradually. You can talk with your health care provider (HCP) about how to best manage these symptoms.
Women who have a hysterectomy, but have their ovaries left in place, will not have induced menopause because their ovaries will continue to make hormones. But, because their uterus is removed, they no longer have their periods and they cannot bear children. They also might have hot flashes since the surgery can sometimes disturb the blood supply to the ovaries. Later on, they also might have natural menopause a year or two earlier than expected.
Q: Can A Woman Become Pregnant During Perimenopause?
A: Yes, though pregnancy is less likely since ovulation, when women can conceive, become more irregular. Until a women goes one full year without a period, she should consider herself fertile and continue using birth control methods.
Q: At What Time Do I Consider Myself Postmenopausal?
A: Most clinicians place the postmenopausal phase at one full year after the last menstrual cycle. Postmenopause is a time when most of the distress of the menopausal changes have faded. At postmenopause, hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause are more mild and less frequent and energy and emotional levels stabilize.
Q: Night Sweats Are Ruining My Sleep. Is There Something I Can Do?
A: First of all, take heart in knowing that night sweats are temporary and not dangerous. But as you’re discovering first-hand, they can certainly be disruptive. Increase the chances for a restful night’s sleep by keeping the room at a cool temperature, wearing light, natural fabric clothing, and avoiding beverages with caffeine and spicy food, especially late in the day. Spend some quiet time relaxing with a book or meditating as bedtime approaches to reduce stress, which can trigger night sweats. Try keeping a small pitcher of cool water by your bed to sip at the first sign of a night sweat. If these measures fail, consider asking your healthcare practitioner about the possibility of medical treatment.