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Throughout life, there are changes your body will go through that mark the end of a cycle.  Menopause is a natural transition that marks the end of the reproductive cycle for women where menstruation stops and there is no longer a period.  Typically, this stage in life has three phases that are referred to as perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

 

 

The average age a woman experiences their last menstrual period is 51 but some women go through it at an earlier age.  Surgery such as a hysterectomy or damage to the ovaries from chemotherapy can be the cause of menopause occurring sooner.

 

The first stage, perimenopause, is the time before menopause where female hormones estrogen and progesterone start to decline.  During this time, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and this phase can lasts several years up until the last menstrual period.  Estrogen levels in the last year or two of this stage can drop significantly.  Signs of menopause start to become evident for many women going through this phase.

 

The stage of menopause is when the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and a woman has had no menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.  At this point, most of the estrogen that was made by the ovaries has come to a halt.  The last stage, postmenopause, will be the years after menopause and women can usually expect the signs of menopause to subside.

 

 

Women experience menopause differently as estrogen levels influence the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms.  If there is a quick decline in estrogen, then a woman might notice the sudden impact of hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods, and changes in libido.

 

Often, one of the first signs you are going through menopause is an inconsistency in your period.  Even though these changes are a natural part of menopause, a woman should make it a priority to promptly see a doctor.  Fortunately, many options are available for menopause treatment by Dr. Mac and Kristi in Indianapolis for women to get relief and live a less stressful life.