I received and email from Susan in Springfield, IL, who wanted to know a bit more about some basics.  So, I sketched together what I call the 3 stages of menopause.  Granted, this is very basic, but it gives you a general idea of things.

Menopause happens when a woman stops her menstrual bleeding cycle permanently. It happens for most women sometime between the ages of 40 to 60, although it happens earlier for some and later for others. As the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, a woman may start to feel the symptoms of the beginnings of menopause. Menopause is usually a gradual process that stretches over several years.  The menopause process has been broken into three phases: pre-menopause or perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.

Perimenopause can begin three to five years before your last period. Some descriptions even go so far as to say perimenopause is the fifteen years before your last period. Menopause symptoms may start gradually during this time. The common joke about perimenopause is that the one consistent thing about perimenopause is that its inconsistent. You may notice that your periods are not as regular, ovulation is inconsistent, your periods may last longer, and you may notice a change in your sex drive. Feelings of depression, mood swings and hot flashes may occur as perimenopause continues. PMS symptoms can get worse, or you may have difficulty sleeping.  You may notice that your vagina feels dry. During perimenopause, your tissues in the vagina and urinary tract become thinner and less elastic, which may cause discomfort. It may be more difficult to hold urine when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Some women find they are more prone to urinary infections during this time.

Menopause begins once you've had your final period. Your menopause symptoms may continue for awhile, including weight gain. Your hormone levels are adjusting to lower levels, and your body is making its final adjustments to no longer being fertile. At this point, your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs, and estrogen production has dropped.

Post-menopause begins when you have not had a period for a year. Most menopause symptoms have eased, or will continue to ease up as time passes. Pregnancy is no longer a possibility. With the low amounts of estrogen, however, other health problems may need to be addressed like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Once a woman enters her post-menopausal phase of life, her risks of cardiovascular disease are equal to that of a man.

Menopause symptoms may be uncomfortable and distressing, but remember they are temporary. If you feel they are affecting your life in a negative way, see your care provider. They may be able to suggest some remedies to help you deal with them. Other women choose to try natural therapies or to find alternative methods to deal with the symptoms.  I had a friend who used to tell me, healthy bodies begin with Cyberwize.

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