Menopause

• Menopause Overview
• Menopause Causes
• Menopause Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Menopause Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medications
• Other Therapy
• Next Steps
• Prevention
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related menopause articles:
  Menopause - on WebMD
  Menopause symptoms - on WebMD
  Menopause symptoms - on MedicineNet

Menopause Overview

Menopause is not a disease or an illness. It is a transition between two phases of a woman's life. Menopause occurs when a woman permanently stops menstruating (having periods).

Many women experience a variety of symptoms as a result of the hormonal changes associated with the transition through menopause. Around the time of menopause, women often lose bone density and their cholesterol may worsen, increasing their risk of heart disease.

• Premature menopause: The average age of US women in whom menopause occurs is 51 years. The most common age range at which women experience menopause is 48-55 years. If menopause occurs in a woman younger than 40 years, it is considered premature. Menopause is considered late if it occurs in a woman older than 55 years. For most women, menopause is a normal occurrence.
  
  

  • Menopause is more likely to occur at a slightly earlier age in women who smoke, have never been pregnant, or live at high altitudes.

  • If premature menopause occurs, a health care provider will check for other medical problems. About 1% of women experience premature menopause.
    
    
• Perimenopause: The hormonal changes associated with menopause actually begin prior to the last menstrual period, during a 3- to 5-year period called perimenopause. During this transition, women may begin to experience menopausal symptoms and may lose bone density, even though they are still menstruating.
  
  
• Surgical menopause: Surgical menopause is the removal of the ovaries. Women who have had surgical menopause have an increased risk of early heart disease and often experience menopausal symptoms, unless they are given medication.