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Menopause

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether.

Alternative Names:

Perimenopause; Postmenopause

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.

Once menopause is complete (called postmenopause), you can no longer become pregnant.

The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. As the ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. The specific symptoms you experience and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) varies from woman to woman.

In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. More commonly, it tapers off. During this time, your menstrual periods generally become either more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for 1 to 3 years before menstruation finally ends completely.

A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are removed surgically (called surgical menopause), symptoms can be more severe.

Because hormone levels fall, changes occur in the entire female reproductive system. The vaginal walls become less elastic and thinner. The vagina becomes shorter. Lubricating secretions from the vagina become watery. The outside genital tissue decreases. This is called atrophy of the labia.

References:

Weismiller D. The Perimenopause and Menopause Experience: An Overview. Clin Fam Practice . 2002; 4(1).

Stenchever, MA. Comprehensive Gynecology , 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo:Mosby, Inc.; 2001:1217-1250.

• Review Date: 2/27/2006
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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