Menopause is when a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to stop functioning. It usually occurs naturally during the aging process, but can also be caused by illness or surgery. Symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Premature menopause can be caused by disease or happen naturally, and can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Menopause is an event that happens in the life of almost every woman. During this time, the woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen and the reproductive system begins to stop functioning. A woman may, however, still have occasional periods during the change.
In most women, menopause occurs as a natural part of the aging process. The average age for American women to start is 50.5, although it is possible to start at a younger age. In some women, it is caused by illness, disease, or surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy.
The time it takes for a woman to complete the menopause cycle is unique to each woman. For the most part, it takes six months to five years to complete. In some women, the process can take even longer. To be medically considered to have completed menopause, a woman must go for 12 consecutive months without menstruation.
As a woman goes through menopause, she experiences many symptoms caused by changing estrogen levels. Typical symptoms include hot flashes, heart palpitations, vaginal dryness, and increasingly frequent urination. Many women going through the change also experience emotional difficulties, such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, and a general feeling of irritability. Some also have difficulty concentrating.
Some women experience early menopause. For these women, the cycle begins before the age of 40. Sometimes it is the result of cancer or some other disease that requires treatment with chemotherapy.
Other diseases that can lead to premature menopause include diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease and autoimmune diseases. In other women, it happens naturally for no known reason. Research has concluded, however, that twins have a higher incidence than the average population.
Menopause symptoms and period length do not change if a woman experiences it prematurely. However, women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than postmenopausal women in general. This is especially true for Caucasian women of European descent.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
