Menopause - Renew Health Clinic

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a natural biological process that all women experience as they age. Specifically, menopause refers to the point in time when a woman stops having menstrual periods permanently. This marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.

The lead up to menopause is called perimenopause. This transition period can begin 8-10 years before menopause when hormone levels start to fluctuate and decline. During perimenopause, women may experience various symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, etc.

When does Menopause Officially Begin?

• On average, most women in the United States go through menopause around the age of 51.
• A woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

What Causes Menopause to Happen?

• As women age, their ovaries begin to produce less of the key reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. This decline in hormones causes menstrual cycles to become irregular and eventually stop.
• Menopause signals the end of a woman's fertility. After menopause, pregnancies can no longer occur naturally.

Key Changes that Happen After Menopause:

• Loss of menstrual cycles
• Decline in estrogen levels
• Inability to become pregnant
• Physical and emotional symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, etc.)
• Increased future health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease

While menopause marks the end of fertility, it can open up new possibilities in life. Some women feel a sense of freedom no longer having to deal with monthly periods. There are also treatment options available at places like Renew Health Clinic to help manage difficult symptoms. By understanding what to expect, women can smoothly transition through menopause.