What Is Menopause?

A woman enters menopause when her period is absent for twelve consecutive months. The six- to ten-year time before this is perimenopause, when symptoms generally begin. Perimenopause generally begins between the ages of 38 and 48, and marks the beginning of the reduction of estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries.

Though menopause has a taboo looming overhead, it is not a disease or a body malfunction. Rather, it is a natural process that all women face at some point in their lives-the natural path the body takes as life goes on. Because the menopause journey is different for every woman, experiences vary. Some women have it very easy, others have complications, and others still have an average, symptom-laden adventure. All women should find a doctor that specializes in Peri menopause and menopause and track her symptoms so she can more easily find her way to hormone happiness.

Some women encounter menopause at a younger-than-average age. This is called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). For more on POI, listen to this radio broadcast on Sirius XM Radio (Ch. 107) with Dr. Lawrence Nelson of the National Institutes of Health. Though POI can be debilitating, these women, too, can find hormonal peace.

The more women learn about menopause before they start experiencing the symptoms, the easier the transition will be into perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. If women understand that they can expect to possibly experience hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain, vaginal dryness, and unexplainable mood swings or irritation, they will be able to better deal with these hormone changes, and their loved ones will have a better grasp on what their mother/sister/wife/friend is going through, too.

As the symptoms and their intensities vary for everyone, women look for remedies in several places. Some women prefer bio identical hormone replacement therapy, or HRT (here is a great list of questions to ask your doctor if that's the route you want to take), and some look to all-natural alternatives such as soy products, yoga, or simply better hydration. Soy products are difficult to prove perfectly effective, but many women will attest to their helpful aspects. For more on soy, read this Q&A with Dr. Gordon Saxe, MD, of the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Health.

A common misconception people have is that menopause is only a woman's issue. On the contrary, men experience a form of male menopause, or and ropause, too. Men experience a gradual decrease in the production of testosterone, causing symptoms like muscle loss, weight gain, fatigue, a decreased libido, depression, memory loss, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, and irritability. Many of these symptoms overlap between men and women. Men, too, can take measures to find hormonal balance. More men have been turning to bio identical HRT to treat their symptoms as well as rejuvenate their health and confidence.

Whatever your symptoms, remember that with the right approach, you can take control, conquer your menopause, and live a happy and healthy life functioning at 100%.