Menopause - What Happens

In your late 30s, your egg supply begins to decline in number and quality. As a result, your hormone production changes-you may notice a shortened menstrual cycle and some premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms that you didn't have before.

Perimenopause

As your egg supply continues to decline, your ovulation and menstruation become irregular. This can start as early as your late 30s or as late as your early 50s. It continues for 2 to 8 years before menstrual cycles end. During this time, your ovaries are sometimes producing too much estrogen and/or progesterone and at other times too little. Your progesterone is likely to fluctuate more than before, which can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. (If you have heavy or unexpected vaginal bleeding, see your doctor to be sure it is not caused by a more serious condition.)

Menopause

About 6 months to a year before your periods stop, your estrogen starts to drop. When it drops past a certain point, your menstrual cycles stop. After a year of no menstrual periods, you are said to have "reached menopause."

Postmenopause

During the first year or so after menopause, estrogen levels continue to decline. It's normal to continue having symptoms, such as hot flashes or insomnia, during the first year or two after menopause. After your hormone levels reach a stable low point, these symptoms are likely to subside. But some women continue to have symptoms for years, perhaps because their estrogen levels are particularly low. (After menopause, body fat tissue continues to produce estrogen. Women with low body fat tend to have lower estrogen levels.)

Low estrogen is part of the healthy, natural state of postmenopause. Low estrogen reduces your cancer risk (estrogen is linked to some types of cancerous cell growth). But because it also plays an important role in skin and bone health, low estrogen creates some health concerns for the postmenopausal woman.

  • Bone loss. Lowestrogen levels after menopause speed bone loss, increasing your risk ofosteoporosis.
  • Skin changes. Low estrogen leads to lowcollagen, which is a building block of skin andconnective tissue. It's normal to have thinner, dryer, wrinkled skin aftermenopause. The vaginal lining and the lower urinary tract also thin and weaken.This condition can make sexual activity difficult and can increase the risk ofvaginal and urinary tract infections.
  • Tooth and gum changes. Low estrogenaffects connective tissue, which increases your risk of tooth loss and possiblygum disease.3

Although the reasons are not well understood, a woman's risk of heart disease increases after menopause. Because heart disease is the number one killer of women, consider your heart risk factors when making lifestyle and treatment decisions.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: February 23, 2011
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine

1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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