Aging Your Family's Guide to Understanding Aging

Menopause

Menopause

Menopause is sometimes known as the "change of life", and is marked by the ending of menstruation which means that a woman's periods had stop. It is known that the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 50 to 52 years old.

A woman's periods do not usually stop suddenly, although this can happen. They usually become less frequent, the odd period is missed, and then they stop altogether.

A woman is said to have reached the menopause once she has not had a period for one year. After this point, she can be described as post-menopausal. The time leading up to the menopause is known as the peri-menopause.

The menopause is the end of egg production or the ovulation process. Ovulation is the release of the egg mid-cycle each month. This occurs as a result of falling levels of the female sex hormone, estrogen, which regulates menstruation. During menopause, the ovarian supply of follicles and eggs declines sharply as a woman approaches this stage. Prior to this stage, the onset of perimenopause, which can last anywhere from five to fifteen years, the brain continues to send out hormones trying to stimulate the development of ovarian follicles and it is common for woman's ovaries to respond erratically, so that the hormones fluctuate a great deal from month to month. These fluctuations are responsible for many of the symptoms of perimenopause.

During the perimenopause, the hormonal and biological changes that are associated with the menopause begin. As a result of these hormonal changes, many women experience both physical and emotional symptoms.

If the menopause occurs in a woman who is under 45 years of age, it is known as premature menopause. It is estimated that premature menopause affects 1% of women under the age of 40 and 0.1% of women who are under the age of 30.

Eventually, though, the ovaries are no longer able to develop an egg for ovulation. Ovarian production of estrogen goes into a permanent decline and progesterone is no longer produced. The lining of the uterus thins, since it is not being stimulated by high estrogen levels each month and therefore, monthly bleeding stops. Thus, menopause has occurred.

Most women reach the menopause without seeking medical advice. However, treatments are available that can ease menopausal symptoms that are severe or distressing.

Because hormone levels may fluctuate greatly in an individual woman, even from one day to the next, hormone levels are not a reliable method for diagnosing menopause. Even if levels are low one day, they may be high the next day in the same woman. There is no single blood test that reliably predicts when a woman is going through the menopausal transition. Therefore, there is currently no proven role for blood testing regarding menopause except for tests to exclude medical cause of erratic menstrual periods other than menopause. The only way to diagnose menopause is to observe the lack of menstrual periods for 12 months in a woman in the expected age range.

By: Cathy

Menopause Recommended Resources:

University of Maryland Medical Center

Librarians' Internet Index

Zarah McDonough 16.04.09 at 11:08am

Life does not end when you reach the menopausal stage. There are still many activities that can be enjoyed by women who are at the menopausal stage.

Susan 12.11.09 at 08:45am

Can a woman still have endrometriosis after a hysterectomy? I am having abdominal surgery because of severe pain from scar tissue from a few surgeries. Is this procedure safe and effective?

Hebe Navarro 15.11.09 at 12:40pm

I am 49.5 years old. I have not had a period since Aug. of 08 (15 months ago) can I still get pregnant. I have had no spotting of any sort. Please let me know for sure, for I and my husband do not want to get pregnant.

Thank you so much,
Hebe Navarro

Aggie Toros 23.11.09 at 20:46pm

Yes you can get pregnant. And top of all that you could have twins. Even if you don't have period anymore the ovary is still working. Eggs stay behind and they stay in the ovary.... for months and months and not one but more... Eventually you will have a couple of more period and they will leave your body. If ontly 15 months it will come soon... once more again. Menopause could last from 2-8 years all together.

Kim Page 25.11.09 at 01:13am

I was just wanting to know about this because I am 47 and my husband is 37 and he doesn't have any children and I have 2, one is 21 the other is 13 and my oldest is having a baby of her own.

amy 07.12.09 at 23:38pm

I am just questioning if it is possible that I may be pregnant....I haven't wasted time with taking a test because I've been in a medically induced menopause since a partial hysterectomy (uterus removed only) in October, 2003 and haven't had a period since that time but have been on HRT for the past 4 1/2 years and have recently experienced alot of the same symptoms that I used to get when I was pregnant as I've already had 3 kids. I don't believe that this would even be possible but figured I would ask someone who may know better so I can figure out what the deal is here! thanks

teresa 27.12.09 at 18:58pm

my mother is 70 years old.now all of a sudden shes bleeding again.we went to the doctor,she said there was nothing to worry about.about 2 months have gone by and shes bleeding again,off and on again .Is there anything i should be worried about?Is there somthing they should be testing her for?please help.Thanks

regina 28.12.09 at 19:23pm

I started menopause at an early age (40's), but partial hysterectomy at age 47 really threw me in ever since even though I exercised almost every day and never gained weight(kept under 123lbs) I had severe hot flashes (day & night). I went on HRT only for along time and reduced it gradually to smalled amt., then only several days aweek trying to wean off completely which I just did last several years, but now at age 60, I'm still having hot flashes though not anywhere as severe or as long but still having them. I was wondering if they will ever stop. Will someone please give me some insight?

Karen 09.01.10 at 23:39pm

I have not had a period for over 10 yrs now and this last week I started bleeding and it has been a full week now. I have had a pap smear two months ago and everything is fine. Is this something normal or should I be concerned about something?

Karen

alexandra 19.01.10 at 09:13am

I will be 52 in a few weeks and haven't had a period since Sept '04. Is it possible to get pregnant? no spotting but some irritation during sex. Dr. says it's fine.

Thanks

Nancy 19.01.10 at 16:07pm

I seem to have the same problem as some of the above women. I am 57 years old and I stopped having a period almost 2 years ago (20 months). The other day I started my period and was shocked. Why does this happen? Can I expect this to happen again? Does this mean I will be counting my 1 year all over from scratch? Help.
Thanks

Mary 25.01.10 at 13:49pm

I am post menopause no period or bleeding since dec 2009. However, I have been being watched for a cyst on rt. ovary that is simple, and fibroids that are enlarging in the past 6 months. Had MRI 2 weeks ago and trans vag sono at the same time. My doc wants a repeat sono in 4 to 6 weeks. I'm concerned from what I've been reading on other web sites re: fibroids post menopause. They should be shrinking at this time along with the cysts. Are there other reasons besides cancer for this occuring. My progesterone is low and estrogen is at a normal level for this time. Any insight to this mattter would be appreciated. Thanks

Kristi Battison 02.02.10 at 23:10pm

I'm almost 31 and wanted to know if I am to young to start the early stages of menopause. Can anyone give me any advice. I would really appreciate it

Linda 08.02.10 at 13:07pm

I am 53 my last period was Nov 2009 over the last few months I have been getting alot of cramping and lower back pain is that normal?

Ruby 13.02.10 at 01:53am

I am 45 years old. Just yesterday they said I am menopausal. They are doing blood work and ultra sound to see how far along I am. My periods are 2 weeks apart and getting closer. They last anywhere from 5 to 8 days and are heavy. When they did my pap she stated that I do show symtoms of my uterus shrinkage. At what stage would I be considered at now? Will my periods go farther apart or closer then stop?? Just not sure what to expect and scared.

mary albin 22.02.10 at 17:48pm

I am 51 and I havn't had a period for a couple of months. I havn't been sexually active, until this past weekend. There was no protection and I am wondering if I could be pregnant.

Kristen 24.02.10 at 01:09am

I have been told that I am perimenopausal for about the past yr now,also recently they found very small spot on mammogram.Tried to do needle biopsy but couldnt find the spot despite repeating mammogram that same day, because it was so small. .Surgeon wants to do excisional biopsy tomorrow 2/24/10, however, years ago i had lumpectomy after needle boipsy and was told it was fibrocystic breast changes, and that I would be more likely to have a reoccurance than others without previous diagnosis. My question is wheter or not being in perimenopause would make a reoccurance even more likely. I sure hope iI have an answer by tomorrow am, but as of now, my plan is to tell surgeon tomorrow to only do needle biopsy for now. Excisional biopsy to be done at later date if necessary, after second opinion and follow up mammogram in 3 months

Sherlee 16.03.10 at 07:52am

I am 50 yrs last September,2009. I am still having my period for the past 2years now heavy and there is too much pain dysmenorrhea. Is there a possibility I still ovulate and GET PREGNANT??? Thanks...
sherlee

Darlene 17.03.10 at 14:28pm

Its been 15yrs or more since I had part. hysterectomy, still have ovaries and I am 53 now. I am now having hot flashes, really frequent at night. Sleep with ceiling fan and standing fan. When it's over I'm freezing. Does evening primrose do any good, or other suggestions Please!

claire jones 08.04.10 at 08:18am

I am almost 54, was having heavy and irregular periods until Feburary 2010. After this time no more period. Could this be menopause or is ther a possibility of pregnancy?

Sheila London 12.04.10 at 12:06pm

I am 53 and I been going through menopause since I was 40 and now my periods has stop and the hot flashes has gotten so bad I can not sleep for more then 15 min at a time I have three fans and the central air on me all night I also carry a fan around my neck at work, I'm bruning up one min and freezing the next min I am so tired of going through this can I get any relief.

linda 25.04.10 at 15:11pm

Karen wrote:
I have not had a period for over 10 yrs now and this last week I started bleeding and it has been a full week now. I have had a pap smear two months ago and everything is fine. Is this something normal or should I be concerned about something? Karen

Mary wrote:
I am post menopause no period or bleeding since dec 2009. However, I have been being watched for a cyst on rt. ovary that is simple, and fibroids that are enlarging in the past 6 months. Had MRI 2 weeks ago and trans vag sono at the same time. My doc wants a repeat sono in 4 to 6 weeks. I'm concerned from what I've been reading on other web sites re: fibroids post menopause. They should be shrinking at this time along with the cysts. Are there other reasons besides cancer for this occuring. My progesterone is low and estrogen is at a normal level for this time. Any insight to this mattter would be appreciated. Thanks

Barbara 25.04.10 at 20:16pm

I have been having a bloody discharge almost everyday for sometime. Every now and then I have what seems to be a period. I am 57 years old and didn't have any kind of a period since the end of my 40's early 50's until I started this about a year and a half ago. During my last check-up, I was told that I have not completely sluffed off what was remaining on my uterus. I cannot take any kind of estrogen because I am diabetic plus I have a pacemaker and have had heart issues since I was in my 30's. What should I do and is there something I can use to stop this.

Viviane Elmera 07.05.10 at 12:41pm

I am a 53 year old African American Woman and I have been going through menopause since I was about 41 with regular menstruation; but severe PMS. I bore silently the extreme pain of hot flashes, panique attacks, restlessness, inability to concentrate, very low frustration tolerance with and in everything around me, insomnia, inability to stay indoors; extreme claustophobia, extreme anxiety about everything. The anticipation of the anxiety attacks is the worse. I usually schedule days off work around that period of the month...... For the last two years, the periods were gradually disappearing but the monthly problems remain the same. Currently, the episodes are with me every day . I am now tired and I am very scared. There is this wave of warmth in body about 3times a day leading to a cool sweat over my head and the back of my neck when the anxiety attack begins. Please HELP HELP HELP HELP . Viviane

k.c. 11.05.10 at 21:28pm

I am 48 yrs old and have not had a period for almost a year until this mothers day I got my priod is this normal i have also been going through the hot flashes

MARGIE 17.05.10 at 22:12pm

AT THE AGE OF 38 I STARTED TO HAVE HEAVY BLEEDING, I WAS TOLD I HAD FIBROIDS, I ALSO HAS CRAMPING A WEEK BEFORE I STARTED MY PERIOD. THEN START MY PERIOD FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS. SO 17 DAYS OUT OF THE MONTH I WAS IN PAIN. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I MISSED A PERIOD FOR 3 MONTHS, WENT TO THE DOC, SHE SAID YOUR PRE MENOPAUSAL, ITS BEEN A YEAR, NOW, AND I HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 3 PERIODS. I ALSO FAILED TO MENTION I HAD BAD HOT FLASHES FROM 38-43 YEARS, I AM TAKING TWO HORMONE PILLS NOW AND NO HOT FLASHES, THEY REALLY DO WORK. I SLEEP SO MUCH BETTER NOW AND I HAVE NO SIDE AFFECTS FROM THEM. HOW EVER IF I MISS A DOSE HERE COMES THE HOT FLASHES, REMINDING ME QUICK, TALK TO YOUR DOC TO SE IF THE MEDICINE IS RIGHT FOR YOU, HANG IN THERE LADYS IT WILL GET BETTER. MARG

marijke 01.06.10 at 17:58pm

marge,

what kind of hormones are you taking? I'm having terrible hotflashes day and especially at night.. I can't sleep and Im getting depressed.. please tell me what I can try to stop at least hot flashes at night... I have tried estrovan but it hasn't worked... I'm getting desperate....I just passed my year mark with no period and I am 46. Thanks for any info....

nigneeftore 07.06.10 at 05:34am

inderal weight loss , inderal stage fright

LellortotaLew 07.06.10 at 20:18pm

inderal for mood disorder , what is inderal used for
inderal and ventricular tachycardia , inderal al
inderal ptsd , inderal make pac's worse

Robin 20.07.10 at 08:15am

I haven't had a period since 11/09, yesterday I spotted, this morning I had bleeding, not heavy but period like. Is this normal I am 51 years old heathy and in shape?

ANGIE 20.07.10 at 08:58am

I HAVE NOT HAD A PERIOD FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND I AM SPOTTING A BROWNISH COLOR NOT BLOOD IS THIS A CONCERN?

elizabeth 20.07.10 at 09:04am

I have not had a period since 2/2003. Last year in July i had some kind of watery discharge outlined in pinkish color. Had pap and Dr. said everything is normal. Now July again and the same thing has happened. I have cramps for about three days but no more discharge after the first time. Is this really normal? I have a scheduled yearly checkup in August.
Should i tell the PC Dr.? Thank you for your help.

Faye 24.07.10 at 18:19pm

Started menopause at 38. Periods stopped at 53. Was rescently told by my internist that I am still menopausal, what a shock. Am extremely tired all the time, don't sleep well at night, hot flashes on and off. My internist gave me a RX for Provera and estrace, rescently, haven't taken them yet. But have a brown discharge every now and then, looks like old blood. Don't have insurance, have gone through thousands of dollars trying to find out what is wrong. Also have severe mood swings, pain on the right side and pelvic area. I am now 60 yrs. of age and don't understand what is causing these symptoms. I also have bladder polyps in my bladder, non cancerous, found out about this about a year ago. Does anyone have anything close to what I am writing about, or know someone who may have some of the same problems, and can help me with this. Would definitey appreciate any information I get.

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