Definition: Menopause is the time of life when the ovaries stop making most of their hormones and menstrual periods stop. MedlinePlus says a woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months. The years leading up to it are called perimenopause, or the menopausal transition, and "postmenopausal" means the time after.
MedlinePlus says the transition usually starts in the 40s and can last several years, and the most common age to reach menopause is between 45 and 55. Menopause before 40 is called premature menopause, and before 45 early menopause. Surgery that removes both ovaries, and some cancer treatments, can bring it on at any age. The NCI lists hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, trouble concentrating and the end of fertility as common symptoms.
The 12-month rule means the date of the last period is the number that matters, and it is easy to lose track of. A log with period dates, hot flash counts and sleep notes gives a clinician a clear picture when hormone therapy is being discussed, and shows whether symptoms change after a dose change.
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