Menopause occurs when ovulation and menses cease. Menopause is technically confirmed when a woman has not had her menstrual period for twelve consecutive months.

Menopause can also be confirmed with a simple blood test that measures the levels of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). These hormones are made by the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovary to produce eggs.

During menopause, the ovaries undergo a change. Ovulations decrease and the levels of FSH and LH gradually increase.  The pituitary gland continues to work on overload sending out FSH and LH.  When the level of FSH rises above 40 miu/ml, you are considered to be in menopause.  Once your level of FSH increases, it usually stays up for the rest of your life.

During menopause, hot flashes increase in intensity and frequency; vaginal changes and bladder control problems continue; and feeling tired and irritable may also continue.  Seventy-five percent of women report some symptoms during menopause.  The severities of the symptoms are different for every woman.

The most common short-term effects of menopause are:

• Hot flashes
• Changes in menstrual periods
• Palpitations
• Insomnia
• Loss of vaginal lubrication
• Numbness, tingling, pins and needles
• Formication
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Mood swings, anxiety, irritability
• Increase in urinary conditions (frequent urination, urine leakage problems)
• Changes in sexual functioning (discomfort during sexual activity and loss of interest in sex)
• Changes in skin, digestive tract and hair
• Other symptoms may include memory loss, weight gain, strange joint and muscle pains and dry eyes and mouth.

Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause, and 80 percent of all women with hot flashes have them for two years or less, while twenty to twenty-five percent experience them for more than five years.

The most common long-term effects of menopause are:

1. Increased risk for osteoporosis
2. Increased risk for heart disease

The decline in hormone levels during perimenopause and menopause affects physical and emotional health. As estrogen levels decline, changes occur to the uterus, vulva, vagina, bones, heart, central nervous system and other organs and tissues.

There are a number of ways to treat your menopause symptoms, depending on the severity and many other factors.

Currently, Hormone Therapy ( HT) is the most effective way to treat women for the relief of menopausal symptoms and the prevention of osteoporosis. Non-hormonal, non-drug therapies are also available to ameliorate symptoms.

Your healthcare professional should provide you with understandable and high-quality information about menopause, ways to promote good health like lifestyle changes (diet, nutrition, exercise programs) and information regarding the pros and cons of HT, non-hormonal and non-drug treatments.

Alternative choices for relief of menopausal symptoms include exercise, diet, nutrition, botanical therapies, vitamins and nutritional supplements are also available. Explore Managing Menopause Symptomsfor more information.