Menopause
Menopause is a normal stop in a woman’s menstrual period and fertility. It usually occurs after age 45 because the woman's ovary stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The average age of a woman having her last period is 51. However some women have their last period in their forties, and some have it later in their fifties.
Some common changes and symptoms of menopause include:
- Changes in periods (they may be shorter or longer, heavier or lighter, or have more or less time in between)
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Trouble sleeping through the night
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes
- Hair loss or thinning on the head, more hair growth on the face
The 4 stages of menopause transition are:
- Premenopause
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- Postmenopause
Treatment options are:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Menopause Drugs
- Alternative Therapy: Menopausal symptoms and CAM, Bio-Identicals: sorting myths from facts, Black cohosh
Borrow some books from the Toronto Public Library on your topic:
More information on menopause:
- Health Canada: The Safe Use of Natural Health Products During Menopause
- MedlinePlus: Menopause
- New York Times: Times Health Guide – Menopause
- North American Menopause Society: Information for Consumers
- Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: menopauseandu.ca
2 thoughts on “Menopause”
Thanks for this, Sylvia! You know, it’s good that more and more books like these are getting published to help women experiencing menopause. It’s a human phenomenon that can be difficult to understand and tough to experience, so any help is very essential for them to survive.
I agree fully with Jennifer and thanks also Sylvia. The emotional roller coaster at times. Great post!