This prompts oestrogen and progesterone to be released by the ovaries, which in turn stimulate the lining of the uterus endometrium to thicken in preparation for the implantation of a fertilised egg.
If an egg is not fertilised the endometrium is shed and a period occurs. This entire process is known as the menstrual cycle. Menopause occurs when the ovaries fail to produce enough hormones to stimulate the monthly growth of the endometrium, and periods stop permanently.
The time frame from when symptoms first appear to when menopause occurs may be several years. This time frame is medically referred to as the climacteric or the perimenopause. After menopause a woman's risk of coronary heart disease including high blood pressure , heart attack and stroke increases and becomes as high as it is for men. The risk of developing osteoporosis bone thinning is also increased. Often the first symptom of impending menopause is a change in bleeding patterns.
Periods may become lighter or heavier, longer or shorter, the time between periods may increase and there may be occasional missed periods. These changes may occur gradually in some women, and more abruptly in others. There are also a wide range of physical and psychological signs and symptoms associated with menopause. In some women they are very mild while in others they are more severe.
They may last for only a few months or may continue for several years. The average length of time for menopausal symptoms to be experienced is three to five years. There is no one test to diagnose menopause.
Symptoms may indicate that menopause is imminent but menopause can only be confirmed retrospectively after periods have been absent for one year. Blood tests may be taken at to look for indicators of menopause. A change in bleeding patterns, particularly where periods become heavier, and an absence of periods can indicate various medical conditions. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor before assuming that the changes are menopausal symptoms.
Also, if bleeding occurs after periods have been absent for a year, a doctor should be consulted, as this is not considered normal. The intensity and frequency of menopausal symptoms vary from woman to woman. Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. All rights reserved. Find a Doctor.
About Us. Community Programs. California Kids Care. International Services. Video Visits: Telemedicine. Locations Main Campus. Satellite Locations. Emergency Care. Urgent Care. Safe Sleep Practices. Pay Your Bill. Many women also have hot flashes and other menopause symptoms during this transition. Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, usually starts in a woman's mid- to late 40s. Sometimes it can be hard for you and your doctor to tell whether you are in perimenopause, the transition to menopause:.
Symptoms of menopause may begin suddenly and be very noticeable, or they may be very mild at first. Symptoms may happen most of the time once they begin, or they may happen only once in a while. Some women notice changes in many areas. Some menopausal symptoms, such as moodiness, are similar to symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS.
Others may be new to you. For example:. Other possible changes are not as noticeable. For example, you might begin to lose bone density because you have less estrogen. This can lead to osteoporosis , a condition that causes bones to become weak and break easily.
Changing estrogen levels can also raise cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor about possible treatment for your menopause symptoms if they bother you. Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, can last between two and eight years before your periods stop permanently. For most women, this transition to menopause lasts about four years. You will know you have reached menopause only after it has been a full year since your last period.
You can still get pregnant during perimenopause, the transition to menopause, even if you miss your period for a month or a few months. During perimenopause you may still ovulate, or release an egg, on some months. But it is impossible to know for sure when you will ovulate.
Talk to your doctor about your birth control needs. Learn more about different birth control methods. If you are not in a monogamous relationship in which you and your partner have sex with each other and no one else, protect yourself by using a male condom or dental dam correctly every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
After menopause you may be more likely to get an STI from sex without a condom. Vaginal dryness or irritation is more common after menopause and can cause small cuts or tears during sex, exposing you to STIs. Menopause happens when you have gone 12 months in a row without a period. The average age of menopause in the United States is The range for women is usually between 45 and Certain health problems can also cause you to start menopause earlier.
Menopause usually happens on its own. However, you may enter menopause earlier than you normally would if you have had chemotherapy or surgery to remove both ovaries. Learn more about early menopause on our Early or premature menopause page. After menopause you will no longer be able to get pregnant and you will no longer get a period. If you have any type of vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is not normal and can mean that you have a serious health problem. For more information about menopause, call the OWH Helpline at or check out the following resources from other organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services.
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