Menopause officially occurs when the ovaries stop producing hormones, usually leading to the absence of menstruation for a year. Once an individual has officially entered menopause, menstruation ceases and she is unable to conceive.
Many physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial changes can occur when hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone begin to decline, explains Emily Anderson, a Minnesota-based gerontology clinical nurse. This transition, known as perimenopause, is usually characterized by “urogenital changes such as vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence, decreased bone density, vasomotor changes such as hot flashes and night sweats, cognitive decline, Increased risk of ischemic heart disease”.
Peri-menopause and menopause: what’s the difference?
Think of the years before menopause as a transitional period during which a person may experience some changes in their body. around menopause Duration is 4 to 8 years. Peri-menopause generally begins with a change in the length of a person’s menstrual periods, ending after 12 months when he has no menstruation, marking the onset of menopause.
“During this period, the ovaries begin to produce less hormones, which can result in irregular menstrual cycles and symptoms of low estrogen,” explains Anderson.
Peri-menopause and menopause can cause similar symptoms, but the presence of menstrual periods in peri-menopause, albeit late, is the main difference between them. Fertility and conception are still possible because sexuality is still present,” says Anderson. you won’t be able to.”
Peri-menopause and menopause: what’s the difference?
Premature menopause is menopause that occurs between the ages of 40 and 45. About 5% of people go through premature menopause naturally. In addition, several factors can premature menopause, including smoking and certain medications and treatments (such as pore removal). ovary.
With premature menopause, “the menstrual cycle ends prematurely because of ovarian or follicle dysfunction,” says Anderson. Some factors that can cause premature menopause include:
- Certain autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- Surgery to remove the ovaries
- chemotherapy or pelvic radiation
- smoking
- Family history of early menopause
While peri-menopause may be a way for the body to prepare for menopause, early menopause is when menopause begins before the average onset age.
