The Basics of Menopause

Menopause is a natural biological process marking the permanent end of menstruation and fertility for women.  It can occur when a woman is in her 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.

A woman is officially in menopause when it has been at least 12 months since her last menstrual period.

For many women, the change happens gradually, with mild or no symptoms.   Some women even feel relieved because they no longer need to worry about cramps, bleeding or pregnancy.  For others, menopause can disrupt sleep, cause hot flashes, decrease energy or even trigger anxiety or depression.

But after menopause, ALL women are at risk for:

• Heart disease. When estrogen levels decline, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. 
• Urinary incontinence.  Changes that occur during menopause cause the tissues of the vagina and urethra to lose elasticity, which can lead to stress incontinence (loss of urine with coughing, laughing or lifting).  These changes can also lead to sexual problems and more frequent urinary tract infections. 
• Osteoporosis.  During the first few years after menopause, women lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing their risk of osteoporosis.  This condition causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are most likely to fractures of their hips, wrists and spine. 
• Weight gain. Many women gain weight during and after menopause because metabolism slows. While weight gain itself is not a major health problem, it can lead to other health complications, such as high cholesterol, joint pain, and decreased energy.

Some pesky, but less serious symptoms associated with menopause are:

• Hot Flashes.  Encourage your clients to identify their triggers, dress in layers, have a cold glass of water or go somewhere cooler.
• Sleep problems.  Remind women to avoid caffeine, and too much alcohol, which can interrupt sleep.  Daily exercise is critical for good sleep.
• Mood changes.  A healthy diet, daily exercise and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery or massage can help stabilize roller coaster moods.