What is menopause caused by

However, there are ways of managing these symptoms. Each person will experience menopause differently. Many have full, active lives throughout the transition and afterward, and some feel relieved by no longer having to deal with menstruation or birth control. Maintaining a healthful diet and getting regular exercise can help a person feel better and boost their overall health in the long term. For those who experience menopause symptoms, treatments and support are available.

Around menopause, various physical and mental changes can occur, causing symptoms. Some of these start before menopause, and some continue after it. As a female approaches the end of the reproductive stage, but before menopause begins, estrogen levels start to fall.

This reduces the chances of becoming pregnant. The first sign that menopause is approaching is usually periods occurring less regularly. They may come more or less frequently than usual, and they may be heavier or lighter.

Anyone who has concerns about menstrual changes should see a doctor, as these changes can also indicate pregnancy or some health issues. Is it normal to have brown spotting after menopause? Vaginal dryness, itching, and discomfort may start during perimenopause and continue into menopause. A person with any of these symptoms may experience chafing and discomfort during vaginal sex.

Also, if the skin breaks, this can increase the risk of infection. Atrophic vaginitis , which involves thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal wall, can sometimes occur during menopause. Various moisturizers, lubricants, and medications can relieve vaginal dryness and associated issues. Learn more about atrophic vaginitis here. Hot flashes are common around the time of menopause. They cause a person to feel a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body.

The sensation may start in the face, neck, or chest and progress upward or downward. Some people experience night sweats and cold flashes, or chills, in addition to or instead of hot flashes.

Hot flashes usually occur in the first year after menstruation ends, but they can continue for up to 14 years after menopause. What does a hot flash feel like? Find out here. Getting plenty of exercise and avoiding heavy meals before bedtime can help with managing these issues, but if they persist, contact a healthcare provider. Click here for some tips on how to get better sleep.

Depression , anxiety, and low mood are common during menopause. It is not unusual to experience times of irritability and crying spells. Hormonal changes and sleep disturbances can contribute to these issues. For example, distress about low libido or the end of fertility can contribute to depression during menopause. While feelings of sadness, irritability, and tiredness are common during menopause, they do not necessarily indicate depression.

However, anyone who experiences a low mood for 2 weeks or longer should see a doctor, who will be able to advise about the best course of action. Anyone who has concerns about sleep or any changes related to menopause should contact a healthcare provider. An article published in suggests that there may, in some cases, be a link between menopause and suicide.

Anyone who is thinking about suicide should seek help from a counselor or health professional. There are also anonymous hotlines available. The advice from international experts is that the benefits of MHT far outweigh the risks for healthy women around the time of menopause. If you are thinking about taking MHT, it is important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages, benefits and risks with your doctor.

Some MHT is designed to treat many of the symptoms of menopause. This is usually in the form of tablets or a patch or gel applied to the skin. There are also vaginal pessaries vaginal tablets and creams if your vaginal or urinary symptoms are bothersome. If you are one of the 10 per cent of women who have severe symptoms lasting 10 years or more, you may continue longer-term use of MHT. It is important to have a check-up once a year to assess the specific risks and benefits you may experience as a result of the therapy.

However, there are a number of other medications that may be useful for controlling symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep disturbance around the time of menopause.

They include:. Some women can benefit from using complementary therapies for menopause. A registered naturopath may provide long-term guidance and balance through the menopausal years.

Herbal therapies can often be taken in conjunction with hormone therapy. It is important to let both your doctor and naturopath know exactly what each has prescribed, and to consult your doctor before taking any herbal treatments or dietary supplements for menopause. Some natural therapies can affect or interact with other medications you may be taking.

It is important to understand the changes your body is going through before, during and after menopause. There are many different sources of information available. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Androgen deficiency in women and its treatment is controversial, and more research is needed. IVF in-vitro-fertilization and ICSI intracytoplasmic sperm injection are assisted reproductive treatment ART procedures in which fertilisation of an egg occurs outside the body.

Bacterial vaginosis BV is caused by an imbalance of the bacteria normally present in the vagina. Some women may also experience muscle and joint pain, known as arthralgia , or mood swings. It may be difficult to determine whether these symptoms are caused by shifts in your hormones, life circumstances, or the aging process itself. Hot flashes affect the top half of your body, and your skin may even turn red in color or become blotchy.

This rush of heat could lead to sweating, heart palpitations, and feelings of dizziness. After the hot flash, you may feel cold. Hot flashes may come on daily or even multiple times a day. You may experience them over the course of a year or even several years. Medications such as birth control pills, hormone therapy, or even other prescriptions may help you reduce hot flashes.

The decline in estrogen production can affect the amount of calcium in your bones. This can cause significant decreases in bone density, leading to a condition known as osteoporosis. It can also make you more susceptible to hip, spine, and other bone fractures. Many women experience accelerated bone loss the first few years after their last menstrual period. There are prescription medications you may want to discuss with your doctor to prevent bone loss as well.

Conditions related to your heart may arise during menopause, such as dizziness or cardiac palpitations. Decreased estrogen levels can prevent your body from retaining flexible arteries. This can impact blood flow. Watching your weight, eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising, and not smoking can reduce your chances of developing heart conditions.

Changes in your hormone levels may cause you to gain weight. However, aging can also contribute to weight gain. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and practicing other healthy habits to help control your weight. Being overweight can increase your risk for heart disease , diabetes , and other conditions.

The symptoms of menopause vary from one woman to another, even in the same families. The age and rate of decline of ovary function differ tremendously. What worked for your mother or best friend may not work for you. The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways.

The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.

If you are having symptoms that are common during menopause, your doctor may ask questions about your age, symptoms, and family history to determine if it really is the menopausal transition causing your problems. In some cases, your doctor may suggest a blood test to check your follicle-stimulating hormone FSH and estradiol E2 levels to rule out any other causes for the changes you're experiencing.

For that reason, a woman who does not want to get pregnant should continue to use birth control for at least a full 12 months after her last period. Menopause can also be triggered by a hysterectomy or surgical removal of the ovaries, which produce hormones.

If you have surgery to remove your uterus or ovaries and are not taking hormones, you will experience symptoms of menopause immediately. After menopause, women enter postmenopause. Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable to heart disease and osteoporosis. During this time, it is important to continue to eat a healthy diet , be active , and make sure you get enough calcium for optimal bone health.

As levels of estrogen decrease, you could have various symptoms. Many women experience mild symptoms that can be treated by lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine or carrying a portable fan. The severity of symptoms varies greatly around the world and by race and ethnicity.

Here are the most common changes you might notice at midlife. Some may be part of aging rather than directly related to menopause. Change in your period. This might be what you notice first. Your periods may no longer be regular.

They may be shorter or last longer.