Let's clear up some misconceptions.
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| | | | | Q | | What are the stages of menopause? | | | | A | | This can be a confusing subject, since "menopause" is often used as an umbrella term to describe the entire menopausal transition. However, technically speaking "menopause" is not a stage at all, the term is defined retrospectively after 12 consecutive months of not having a period. (The average age of menopause is 51 to 52 years old.) The Menopause Society actually describes seven stages of menopause, but I think it's easier to break it down into three phases.
There is the reproductive or premenopausal phase which starts when a person begins having periods (generally after going through puberty), and encompasses the years before perimenopausal hormonal shifts start.
Then there is the menopausal transition — often referred to as perimenopause — where hormonal fluctuations become more pronounced, leading to a wide possibility of symptoms, including hot flashes, mood changes, weight gain, and irregular periods. This commonly starts in a person's early 40's, but can start earlier or later than that depending on various factors.
And finally, there is the postmenopausal phase which encompasses all of the years after you reach menopause. During postmenopause, the body produces significantly less estrogen, which can lead to complications and symptoms such as vaginal dryness, bone loss and osteoporosis, and heart disease. Many treatments exist, including menopausal hormone therapy, that can reduce your risk of these issues.
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