Menopause

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation (period). When the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, ovulation and menstruation stop.

A woman is considered to be in menopause when she has not had a menstrual period for one year. Menopause symptoms vary and may include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, urogenital atrophy, psychological symptoms, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular conditions. The typical age of menopause is between 45 and 55 years. In Greece, the average age of menopause ranges from 47 to 51 years. However, in about 1% of women, menopause may occur before the age of 40. In these cases, this is referred to as Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, and hormone replacement therapy is considered necessary.

Climacteric

The climacteric period is the phase that precedes menopause. In essence, it is a “transitional” stage during which the body gradually adapts to lower estrogen levels and learns to function with them. This period allows the body time to adjust and “reprogram” itself in preparation for the upcoming absence of estrogen.

The climacteric period may begin several years before menopause. It is characterized by changes in the menstrual cycle: periods may become shorter or lighter, or on the contrary, they may become significantly longer and heavier (menorrhagia). The cycle may also occur much more frequently, or it may skip for several months at a time.

Another symptom of menopause is an increase in premenstrual symptoms in some women. Aggravation or even the appearance of severe headaches that even take the form of a migraine is a frequent symptom of climacteric.

The symptoms appear gradually and many times women do not detect them immediately: characteristic features are a slowdown in metabolism, easy weight gain and difficulty losing weight. The distribution of fat changes and women notice an increase in abdominal fat. There is a possibility that the woman will gradually also show the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, etc.