Technically, you don’t actually “hit” menopause until a year has passed since your last period. In the United States, this happens around age 51, on average. As women move past their reproductive years they may experience many physical and emotional changes.
Despite the negative stereotypes, as well as some real difficulties that women can face during this time, many women report that once they reach menopause they feel more confident, stronger and energetic than before. At this time in their lives, many women have fewer child-rearing responsibilities and can use this time to take care of themselves. Women no longer have to worry about getting pregnant when they have sex, potentially allowing for less stress and more enjoyment during sex.
However, menopause is not a one-size-fits-all event. It affects every woman differently. Some women reach natural menopause with little or no problem. others may experience life-threatening symptoms. And when menopause starts suddenly as a result of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, the adjustment can be difficult. Fortunately, menopause is better understood and discussed more openly than ever before. And better treatment options are available when needed.
Why Menopause Happens
A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate menstruation and ovulation. Menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer produce an egg each month and menstruation stops.
Menopause, when it occurs after the age of 40, is considered “natural” and is a normal part of aging. However, some women may experience early menopause, either as a result of surgery, such as a hysterectomy, or as a result of damage to the ovaries, such as from chemotherapy. Menopause that occurs before the age of 40, regardless of the cause, is called premature menopause.
Natural menopause happens gradually. Ovaries do not stop abruptly. they slow down. The transition to menopause is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, it is still possible to get pregnant – a woman’s reproductive years are ending and although her periods may become more unpredictable, her ovaries are still functioning and she may ovulate, although not necessarily on a monthly basis.
What to expect
Here are some potential benefits of menopause:
- Less anxiety about pregnancy
- More time for intimacy with a partner
- An opportunity to reflect on priorities in life
- Increased sexual pleasure and closeness with the partner
While many women take advantage of this transition period to make positive changes in their lives, some symptoms can be uncomfortable or difficult to deal with. Menopause signs and symptoms, which can vary in intensity from woman to woman, often appear well before the one-year anniversary of your last period. Symptoms may include:
- Irregular periods
- Reduced fertility
- Dryness of the vagina
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disorders
- Mood swings
- Increased abdominal fat
- Hair thinning
- Loss of breast fullness
When to see a health care provider
It is important to see your health care provider in the years before menopause (perimenopause) and in the years after menopause for preventive health care as well as care for medical conditions that may occur with aging. If you’ve missed a period but aren’t sure you’ve started menopause, you may want to see your provider to determine if you’re pregnant. They can take a medical history, perform a pelvic exam and, if necessary, order a pregnancy test.
Always seek medical advice if you have vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Alternative Medicine
Many approaches have been promoted as aids in managing menopausal symptoms, but there is very little scientific evidence to support the claims. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking any herbal remedy or nutritional supplements for menopausal signs and symptoms. Herbal products may affect or interact with other medications you may be taking.
Sexual health after menopause
What are some sexual health concerns after menopause? For one, less estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness, which can make intercourse uncomfortable or painful. Try using a water-soluble lubricant during sex or applying a vaginal moisturizer every few days. Vaginal moisturizers are applied regularly, not just before sex, and are absorbed by the skin.
Libido can also change, for better or worse, but many factors besides menopause—including stress, medications, depression, poor sleep, and relationship problems—affect sex drive. Talk to your health care provider if sexual problems arise – don’t settle for such a sex life. And remember, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) don’t end with menopause. Safe sex still counts.
