Understanding Menopause: What Every Woman Should Know

by Precious Kilpatrick, RN, MSN, NP

Every woman who ages will experience menopause. Although menopause is a gradual and natural phase, there is a percentage of women who will experience menopause due to a surgical procedure, genetic predisposition, or medications such as chemotherapy. On average, a woman’s age at menopause is as early as their late 40’s up until their mid 50’s.

What is Menopause?

Menopause occurs when woman’s reproductive hormone levels start to decline naturally leading to a cessation of a menstrual cycle thus, the inability to become pregnant. It is often referred to as the change of life because of the changes occur in the female body during menopause.

It is important for women to be educated about this crucial time in their reproductive lives so that they are aware of the impending changes they may experience. Raised awareness can assist in preparedness and possibly lessen the duration of uncomfortable symptoms.

Stages of Menopause

Menopause has three stages. Perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. Each stage comes with biological changes which cause physical changes to occur within the female reproductive organs and in their physical body.

·      Perimenopause typically occurs years before the onset of menopause. In the peri-menopausal stage, the production of estrogen and progesterone gradually slows. Mood changes may or may not become evident during this stage. Some women may experience pause in their menstrual cycle for several months, but not a cessation.

·      Menopause is the cessation of the menstrual cycle for one year. The ovaries have ceased to produce most of the body’s estrogen and release eggs. More uncomfortable symptoms may start to surface with the onset of menopause.

·      In the post-menopausal stage, some menopausal symptoms start to decrease, however, health risks increase because of the lack of circulating estrogen.

The Role of Hormones

Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that are produced by the ovaries. They play a role in controlling the menstrual cycle and the releasing of eggs. Estrogen plays a role in bone health and cardiovascular health. When estrogen levels decrease in the stages of menopause, the woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis due to decreased bone density. Other health risks include cognitive changes (memory and focus), and urinary incontinence.

Symptoms of Menopause

Common symptoms and physical changes experienced due to the stages of menopause include:

·      Hot flashes and night sweating

·      Insomnia or frequent wakefulness during the night

·      Irritability

·      Mood swings

·      Vaginal dryness

·      Painful intercourse

·      Decreased sex drive (libido)

·      Weight gain

·      Irregular menstrual cycle

In addition to the physical manifestations, are the emotional and mental health impacts. Women may experience anxiety, depression, and struggle with their self-image and confidence due to the physical and sexual changes they experience with menopause.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Whether menopause has occurred naturally or has been induced by surgery or medication, there are solutions that are able to provide relief of symptoms. Symptoms for many women are bothersome and may impact their quality of life. It is important to discuss these issues with your healthcare provider. Together, you and your provider can decide on a treatment plan that will improve symptoms and quality of life. Many women and their providers decide on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to address their symptoms. However, some women are unable to take HRT due to cancer history. Your provider can discuss treatment options for the symptoms that are particular to you.

Summary

Menopause is a natural stage that women experience. However, some women may experience menopause early in life due to medications (chemotherapy), surgery, or genetics. Education about menopause will help women to understand the changes their bodies will undergo, what symptoms they are likely to experience, and when to seek a healthcare provider. Together, with a healthcare provider, women can agree on a treatment plan that will provide relief of symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Resources

Delgado, B. J., & Lopez-Ojeda, W. (2023, June 26). Estrogen. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538260/

Gatta, F. (2025, February 6). A complete guide on menopause. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/menopause/menopause-basics

Yu, Z., Jiao, Y., Zhao, Y., & Gu, W. (2022). Level of Estrogen in Females—The different impacts at different life stages. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(12), 1995. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12121995

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