What makes menopause happen

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. Sometimes they can stop suddenly.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is But around 1 in women experience the menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.

Most women will experience menopausal symptoms. There are also claims that black cohosh may improve some symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. But in a recent review of studies , little evidence was found to support these claims. More research is needed. Similarly, research from found no evidence to support claims that omega-3 fatty acids can improve vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. Most women experience menopause by the age of 52, but pelvic or ovarian damage may cause sudden menopause earlier in life.

Genetics or underlying conditions may also lead to early onset of menopause. Many women experience menopause symptoms in the few years before menopause, most commonly hot flashes, night sweats, and flushing. Symptoms can continue for four or more years after menopause. You may benefit from treatment, such as hormone therapy, if your symptoms are severe or affect your quality of life. Generally, menopause symptoms can be managed or reduced using natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments.

Many women reject the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy to treat their menopause symptoms and instead seek relief from alternative…. Many people confuse menopause with perimenopause. Perimenopause is the stage when a woman begins to transition into menopause. When menstruation ends…. Menopause is a normal part of life, but it can be uncomfortable. Here are 11 natural lifestyle tips to reduce symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes bothering you?

A hot flash is a feeling of intense heat, not caused by external sources. Hot flashes can appear suddenly, or you may feel…. Learn how menopause may impact your libido and what you can do to improve your sex drive. It's especially important to care for your body during and after menopause. This guide offers comprehensive dietary and fitness tips for menopause.

There are quite a few non-hormonal treatments for vaginal dryness, such as vaginal moisturizers and vaginal lubricants. These are the best options. Premature or early menopause happens when your body makes less estrogen, periods stop, and fertility goes down. Learn causes, symptoms, and more. Menopause is can initiate hormone changes and hot flashes, but could it also affect sleeping habits?

Learn more about menopause and insomnia. Feelings of depression and thoughts of dying are common during perimenopause. Our guide can help you better understand these symptoms and get relief….

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. When does menopause begin and how long does it last? What are the symptoms of menopause? Why does menopause occur? Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of premature and early menopause Causes of early or premature menopause Induced menopause Diagnosis of premature or early menopause Treatment for early or premature menopause Emotional impact of early or premature menopause Where to get help.

Symptoms of premature and early menopause The symptoms of early menopause are the same as for menopause at the typical age and can include: menstrual cycle changes, including changes to the usual bleeding pattern, particularly irregular bleeding hot flushes sweats sleep disturbance urinary problems, such as increased frequency of urination or incontinence vaginal dryness increase in mood changes increase or decrease in weight aches and pains.

Causes of early or premature menopause Premature menopause means a woman's ovaries have spontaneously stopped working before she has reached the age of 40 years. Genetic conditions which can lead to early or premature menopause include: galactosaemia — this is when the body cannot convert the carbohydrate galactose into glucose.

Induced menopause Menopause can be specifically induced for medical reasons, such as cancer surgery. Diagnosis of premature or early menopause Premature and early menopause is diagnosed using a number of tests including: medical history, family history and medical examination investigations to rule out other causes of amenorrhoea absence of periods , such as pregnancy, extreme weight loss, other hormone disturbances and some diseases of the reproductive system investigations into other conditions associated with premature or early menopause, such as autoimmune diseases genetic tests to check for the presence of genetic conditions associated with premature or early menopause blood tests to check hormone levels.

Treatment for early or premature menopause There is no treatment available to make the ovaries start working again. Emotional impact of early or premature menopause Premature menopause can be emotionally devastating. Genetic counselling If you have been diagnosed with a genetic condition that is thought to have caused your premature menopause, it may be helpful to speak to a genetic counsellor. Mental and emotional health , Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Spontaneous premature ovarian insufficiency , Australasian Menopause Society.

Early menopause due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy , , Australasian Menopause Society. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all reproductive system - female. Related information. Support groups Early Menopause. From other websites NPS Medicinewise. The Daisy Network, United Kingdom. Early Menopause. Your Sex Health.

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