Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when she stops having a menstrual period and hasn’t had it for a duration of 12 months. She can no longer get pregnant during this stage. Menopause occurs due to the reduced functioning of the ovaries because of aging, this reduces the level of estrogen and other hormones. The average age for Menopause is 51, however, it mostly occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.

Perimenopause means ‘around menopause’ as it refers to the time that precedes Menopause, usually during late 40's. Women may experience a few bothersome symptoms of Menopause during this transitional stage. But the good news is that there is still a chance that you could get pregnant during this time. So, although fertility certainly diminishes as you get older, it doesn't go to zero until you have a full year without a period.

Postmenopause is the years that come after Menopause. During this stage, menopausal symptoms tend to subside in intensity and frequency.

Induced Menopause is the time when the menstrual cycle stops unnaturally. This is due to either after the surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy, or radiation damage to the ovaries, or from the use of other medications to intentionally induce menopause as part of the treatment of certain diseases. Women who have induced Menopause experience the same symptoms that they may have during Menopause.

Every woman’s experience is different from the other. Many women who transition naturally to Menopause sometimes may not feel any symptoms apart from an irregular menstrual cycle. Others may experience hot flashes, sleeplessness, low memory retention, mood swings, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. The key to prevent these early symptoms, or at least reduce their intensity, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle during this transition.

Menopause is natural and happens to every woman. Often referred to as ‘the change’. Considering it affects all women it is still referred to as a taboo topic. Menopause is a natural event that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and should not be taboo. It is not a disease, it’s an inevitable phase that comes in every woman’s life.

A lot of women report sleeplessness around the time of Menopause. However, sleeplessness may be contributed due to several age-related factors like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, stress, anxiety, depression, or even due to certain medications. The most important factor to eradicate is sleeplessness, which may be done through several lifestyle changes as well as avoiding stimulants like coffee and dark chocolate close to bedtime. If these changes don’t help in improving sleep, then your health care provider or doctor may also suggest a few prescription medications.

The hormone plays a key factor as a trigger of headaches. Women who experience headaches during Perimenopause are mostly those women who have had a history of hormone-triggered headaches such as headaches during the menstrual cycles, or while taking oral contraceptive pills. Usually, once the transition to Menopause is made and the body has low hormone levels the headaches may go. However, certain serious headaches like migraines may be persistent and would require attention through prescription medication as per their healthcare providers or doctors.

Mood swings are a part and parcel of the hormonal shift. Many women during Menopause experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. However, the intensity of these symptoms may be more in women with a history of clinical depression, postpartum depression, or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Read our blogs on how depression and anxiety may be controlled through lifestyle changes.

One of the most common symptoms of Menopause is vaginal dryness. This condition may lead to pain during coitus, urinary urgency as well as frequent urinary tract infections. All these are associated with low levels of estrogen in the body. Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants may help. Make sure to discuss this issue with your health care provider or your doctor as if left unattended may lead to a lot of emotional and physical distress.

Aging causes the skin to lose its structural proteins (collagen) and elasticity due to which the skin may sag as well as have wrinkles. Dryness also contributes to aging skin. Hormones play a vital role in skin aging. Low levels of estrogen contribute to the loss of collagen, skin texture as well as skin moisture. To maintain healthy skin it’s important to follow a healthy skin regime using cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and most importantly sunscreen. Keeping the skin hydrated naturally by drinking a lot of water, supplementing with collagen may help retains as well as maintain the skin’s natural moisture.

A lot of women in struggle with menopausal symptoms but may end up not going to a doctor due to denial or embarrassment. Seek consultation as soon as you feel uneasy. It is important to get a piece of sound medical advice before any menopausal symptoms take a front seat in your life. The doctor to meet during Menopause is a gynecologist who can help you guide you in the right direction to prevention.