Menopause Services

What Exactly is Menopause?

Menopause signifies a significant milestone in a woman's life—it marks the cessation of menstruation. Once a woman has experienced no periods for a continuous 12-month period, she is deemed postmenopausal. During menopause, the decline in ovarian follicles, follicular development, and ovulation leads to the cessation of cyclical estrogen and progesterone production.

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Typically occurring naturally between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average onset around 51 years old, menopause can also result from surgical interventions, such as bilateral hysterectomy. Premature menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency, may occur before the age of 40 due to natural ovarian function cessation, surgical removal of ovaries, or as a consequence of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Menopause is classified as "early" when it transpires between 40 and 45 years of age.

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Given that women now live approximately one-third of their lives after menopause, prioritizing physical and mental well-being during this phase has become increasingly crucial.

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The Three Stages of Menopause

Understanding the three distinct stages of menopause can empower you to navigate this significant life transition with greater clarity and confidence:

1. Perimenopause or "Menopause Transition: Perimenopause marks the gradual decline in ovarian function, typically beginning eight to 10 years before menopause. During this phase, which often starts in the 40s, ovaries produce less estrogen, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and various menopausal symptoms. While still experiencing menstrual cycles, individuals may encounter symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings. It's essential to note that pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause.

2. Menopause: Menopause is defined as the cessation of menstrual periods. At this stage, typically diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period, ovaries cease to release eggs and significantly reduce estrogen production. Menopausal symptoms may persist, but fertility ceases.

3. Post-Menopause: Post-menopause begins after a full year without menstruation, marking the permanent end of reproductive capacity. While some menopausal symptoms may diminish, others can persist for a decade or longer. With declining estrogen levels, individuals in post-menopause face an increased risk of health conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease. Consulting with a healthcare provider about available treatments and managing potential health risks is crucial during this stage.

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Navigating menopause involves embracing each stage with understanding and proactive healthcare decisions.

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Understanding the Causes of Menopause

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life marked by the cessation of menstruation and the decline in reproductive hormones. Several factors can contribute to the onset of menopause:

Naturally declining reproductive hormones: As women approach their late 30s and early 40s, ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, leading to changes in menstrual cycles and eventually the cessation of ovulation and menstruation, typically around age 51. Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading to menopause, can occur at any point during adulthood, emphasizing the importance of recognizing menopausal symptoms irrespective of age.

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Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy): Removal of the ovaries results in immediate menopause, with abrupt hormonal changes leading to symptoms such as hot flashes. However, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) without removing the ovaries usually does not cause immediate menopause, as the ovaries continue to produce hormones.

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Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can induce menopause by affecting ovarian function, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes. While menstruation and fertility may cease temporarily during treatment, they may resume afterward.

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Primary ovarian insufficiency: Approximately 1% of women experience premature menopause before the age of 40 due to primary ovarian insufficiency, where ovaries fail to produce sufficient reproductive hormones. This can result from genetic factors or autoimmune disease, though often the cause remains unknown. Hormone therapy is often recommended to mitigate potential health risks associated with premature menopause.

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Understanding the causes of menopause enables women to make informed decisions about their health and well-being during this transformative phase of life.

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Navigating the Changes: Common Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause

Trying to navigate the changes in your body and symptoms can feel like traversing a minefield. Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can significantly impact various aspects of your life, including relationships, social interactions, family dynamics, and work commitments. These experiences are unique to each individual; you may encounter several symptoms or none at all.

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Symptoms typically manifest months or years before your periods cease altogether. Here are some common symptoms to be aware of:

Change in Periods: The onset of perimenopause is often marked by alterations in the regularity of your menstrual cycles, which may become irregular before eventually ceasing entirely.

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Mental Health Symptoms: Menopause and perimenopause can bring about changes in mood, such as feelings of low mood, anxiety, mood swings, and diminished self-esteem. Many individuals also report experiencing difficulties with memory or concentration, often referred to as "brain fog."

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1. Physical Symptoms: Physical manifestations of menopause and perimenopause include:

   Hot flushes: Sudden sensations of heat or cold primarily affecting the face, neck, and chest, sometimes accompanied by dizziness.

Sleep disturbances: Difficulty sleeping due to night sweats, leading to daytime fatigue and irritability.

Palpitations: Noticeable increases in heart rate or irregular heartbeats.

Headaches and migraines: Intensified or more frequent headaches than usual.

Muscle aches and joint pains: Generaliszd discomfort and stiffness in muscles and joints.

Changes in body shape and weight gain.

Skin changes: Dryness, itchiness, or other alterations in skin texture.

Reduced sex drive.

Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

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Explore our personalized services designed for women navigating peri-menopause, menopause, and beyond below: