Menopause is not diagnosed until it has been one full year since your last menstrual period.
Menopause doesn’t happen overnight.
For most women, it is agradual processthat occurs over several years.
Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images
Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images
What Is Menopause?
Menopauseis a normal part of the aging process in women.
Over time your ovaries will continue to lose follicles andoocytes(eggs).
The rate at which this happens is not the same for every woman.
This is why your age is not a good predictor of whether or not you are in menopause.
It is important to recognize the changes in your body and to discuss these with your healthcare provider.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you may want to consider treatment options.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats fall under the broader category of vasomotor symptoms.
A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat, most often in the upper body and face.
Night sweats are hot flashes that occur during the night and may disrupt sleep.
Vaginal dryness may be especially noticeable during sex and can cause itching, often causing irritation and discomfort.
Mood Swings
This can be one of the most troubling symptoms of the menopause transition.
Or perhaps you have struggled with mood symptoms in the past and are noticing a worsening of the symptoms.
Discuss any mood symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Do not suffer in silence or feel ashamed of what you’re experiencing.
Headaches
For some women, migraine headaches may first appear during the menopause transition.
Skin Changes
When hormone levels diminish, your skin may become drier and thinner.
This is sometimes referred to as “brain fog.”
Hormone Tests
The hormone level considered potentially helpful to diagnose menopause is FSH orfollicle-stimulating hormone.
FSH is produced by your pituitary gland and it plays an important role in your menstrual cycle.
This is partially the basis of your regularmenstrual cycle.
Rising FSH levels do indicate decreasing ovarian function.
But this happens over time, and your FSH and estrogen levels will continue to fluctuate.
Ultimately, checking FSH and other ovarian hormone levels in most women can be very misleading.
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