Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural biological process that all women experience as they age. Typically, menopause occurs between the ages of 45-55 and signals the end of a woman's reproductive years.

Some key things to know about menopause:

• Perimenopause - The transition period leading up to menopause, usually lasting 4-8 years, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline


• Postmenopause - The years following menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period


• Symptoms - Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and more

Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstrual cycles come to an end. This signals that she can no longer become pregnant naturally. The decreased estrogen and progesterone leads to physical and emotional changes.

What causes menopause?

• Primary cause is the natural depletion of ovarian follicles - egg-containing sacs in the ovaries


• As we age, less follicles remain active in ovulation and estrogen production


• Eventually so few follicles remain that ovulation ceases and estrogen levels drop significantly

This decline is a natural part of aging. However, treatment may help ease challenging symptoms. The professionals at Vital Hormone Clinic can provide customized hormone therapy to help restore hormonal balance during peri/menopause. Their exclusive bioidentical hormone pellets safely relieve hot flashes, night sweats, sleep trouble, vaginal discomfort, and mood changes.

"The personalized treatment I received at Vital Hormone Clinic gave me my life back. I feel like myself again thanks to their compassionate care." - Jane D., Vital Hormone Clinic Patient

When does menopause start?

Most women begin the menopause transition in their 40s as their ovarian reserve declines. However, menopause can occur earlier due to:

• Premature ovarian failure


• Surgical removal of the ovaries


• Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy

The age of onset varies widely between ethnic groups:

• Hispanic - 48 years


• non-Hispanic White - 51 years


• African American - 52 years


• Japanese - 54 years

What are the stages of menopause?

There are three distinct stages women go through when approaching menopause:

Perimenopause

• Usually begins 4-8 years before menopause


• Estrogen levels start to fluctuate


• Periods may become irregular


• PMS symptoms may intensify

Menopause

• Defined as 12 months without a menstrual cycle


• The ovary's follicle supply is depleted


• Estrogen drops substantially


• The postmenopausal phase begins

Postmenopause

• Follows 12 months of amenorrhea (no periods)


• Signifies the end of fertility


• Lower estrogen levels compared to perimenopause


• Lasts the remainder of a woman's life

Understanding the menopause stages helps women know what to expect and determine if their symptoms are related to hormonal shifts. Tracking cycles and changes aids in navigating this transition smoothly.