What is menopause?

Menopause is the point in your life when you permanently stop having menstrual periods. After 1 year of having no periods, you've reached menopause.

In most cases, menopause happens around age 50. But everyone's body has its own time line. You may stop having periods in your mid-40s. Or you might have them well into your 50s.

Menopause is a natural part of growing older. You don't need treatment for it unless your symptoms bother you. But it's a good idea to learn all you can about menopause. Knowing what to expect can help you stay as healthy as possible.

What happens during menopause?

In your late 30s, your egg supply starts to decline and hormone production changes. You may notice a shorter menstrual cycle and new PMS symptoms.

Starting sometime between your late 30s and your early 50s, your periods become irregular. This lasts for 2 to 8 years.

During this time, your ovaries sometimes produce higher and sometimes lower amounts of hormones. This can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding.

About 6 to 12 months before your periods stop, your ovaries stop releasing eggs. Estrogen levels drop. This causes your periods to stop. After a year of no periods, you have reached menopause.

During the next year or so, estrogen levels keep going down. This creates some health concerns, including:

• Higher risk of osteoporosis.
• Skin changes, including thinner, drier skin; thinner, weaker vaginal lining and urinary tract; and higher risk of vaginal and urinary tract infections.
• Higher risk of tooth loss and gum disease.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Hot flashes.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Vaginal dryness and sexual problems.

Symptoms related to mood and thinking may also happen around the time of menopause. These include:

• Mood swings, or feeling depressed or worried.
• Problems with remembering or thinking clearly.

You may have only a few mild symptoms. Or you might have severe symptoms that disrupt your sleep and daily life.

Symptoms tend to last or get worse the first year or more after menopause. Over time, hormones even out at low levels. Many symptoms improve or go away. But sometimes symptoms don't go away.