Menopause

“Menopause is a normal, natural event—defined as the final menstrual period and usually confirmed when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Early Menopause
  • Going Through the Menopause
  • Induced Menopause
  • Menopausal/Menopause Transition
  • Menopause
  • Natural Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause
  • Postmenopause
  • Premature Menopause
  • Second Half of Your Life
  • Surgical Menopause
  • The Change
  • The Change of Life
  • The Menopause Years
  • The Menopause-Related Years
  • The Three Stages of Menopause
  • Turning St Catherine’s Corner

Different Differences

Can menopause mean different things to different people?

I think the term menopause can be like the terms anxiety, diet and love and mean different things, to different people, at different times, in different places.

When I use the term menopause what I mean may be different to what someone else means or what is meant in medicaltalk.

It can therefore be important when the term menopause is used to be clear about what is meant, so we may work out whether we are on the same page meaning the same thing or not. The International Menopause Society (IMS) acknowledge:

“Throughout the world, misuse of terminology related to the field of menopause has caused a great deal of confusion and misinformation among healthcare providers, those in research, the media, and the public”.2

Meaning

What does the word “menopause” mean?

DotS the meaning of the word menopause may vary. The (German) Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care note:

“The word “menopause” might be misleading because it is not a “pause,” but an ending. Women can no longer get pregnant after menopause”.3

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) meaning is:

“The word ‘menopause’ comes from the Greek words ‘menos’, meaning month, and ‘pause’, meaning to cease. So, menopause means the ‘monthly’ (the period) stops”.4

Definition

What is menopause?Menopause

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) and the IMS’s definition is:

“Menopause (natural menopause) – the term natural menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. Natural menopause is recognized to have occurred after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea, for which there is no other obvious pathological or physiological cause. Menopause occurs with the final menstrual period (FMP) which is known with certainty only in retrospect a year or more after the event”.5

The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“Menopause is a normal, natural event—defined as the final menstrual period and usually confirmed when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious causes)”.6

The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“The term “menopause” refers to the final menstrual period”.7

The JH’s definition is:

“Menopause is the final menstrual period. Sometimes you only know you have had your final menstrual period if you have had no period for 12 months, as periods can occur very irregularly leading up to menopause and can happen months apart”.8

The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period”.9

Retrospective

Why is menopause sometimes called ‘retrospective’?

Menopause is sometimes called ‘retrospective’ because menopause is not ‘official’ until at least 12 consecutive months after a woman’s FMP.

Stop. Start…

What if periods stop for a few months then start again?

Each time periods stop for a few months then start again, we have to stop counting then start again, until we reach at least 12 consecutive months or 12 months of uninterrupted counting. The JH explain:

“It can be difficult to know when your period is your last. You might not have a period for some months and have symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, sweats, sleep disturbance, dry vagina, crawling feelings under the skin or mood swings. This means you are probably perimenopausal. Menopause has definitely occurred if it has been 12 months since your last period. However, sometimes bleeding stops for other reasons. If you don’t have typical menopausal symptoms, are younger than 45 years, or have other symptoms that don’t fit the picture of menopause, then you should seek medical advice”.10

Change of Life

Why is the menopause sometimes called ‘the change of life’?

The AMS explain:

“The menopause is sometimes called ‘the change of life’ as it marks the end of a woman’s reproductive life. At menopause, ovulation no longer occurs and production of oestrogen and progesterone ceases”.11

In Menopause FAQ: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What is menopause? the NAMS note:

“Menopause is associated with reduced age-related functioning of the ovaries, resulting in lower levels of estrogen and other hormones. It marks the permanent end of fertility”.12

Normal or Not

Is menopause normal?

Yes. Menopause is normal. The IMS explain:

“Menopause is not a disease but a natural transition in a woman’s life that results from a decrease in the ovarian production of sex hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone”.13

Age

What is the average age of menopause?

According to the IMS:

“In Caucasian women, the average age of menopause is between the ages of 50 and 52 years, although in some societies or ethnic groups the average age is several years earlier”.14

Common or Not

How common is menopause?

In 2015, the NAMS note:

“An estimated 6,000 US women reach menopause every day (more than 2 million per year)”.15

Same or Not

Do all women experience the same menopause?

No. Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Although all women have a FMP, different women experience different symptoms, at different times, in different ways, for different lengths of time, before and after their FMP.

In Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause – Symptoms the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline, the NICE elaborate on:

Menopause

“Menopause affects every woman differently. You may have no symptoms at all, or they might be brief and short lived. For some women they are severe and distressing.

You can still get menopause symptoms if you have had a hysterectomy (an operation to remove your womb).

Other natural changes as you age can be intensified by menopause. For example, you may lose some muscle strength and have a higher risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease”.16

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

What is one of the points of consensus about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?

One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section B: General Principles Governing the Use of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:

  • “Consideration of MHT for symptom relief or osteoporosis prevention should be a part of an overall strategy including lifestyle recommendations regarding diet, exercise, smoking cessation and safe levels of alcohol consumption for maintaining the health and quality of life of peri- and postmenopausal women”.17

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my menopause?

If you would like help with your menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In About Menopause: When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:

  • “If you are troubled by irregular cycles
  • If you are worried about heavy bleeding/bleeding abnormal to you/bleeding between periods and/or after sex
  • If you have increased PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms and/or pain
  • If you have some of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.18

The Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your needs and treatment options may change”.19

In Menopause: When To See Your GP the (United Kingdom) NHS (National Health Service) elaborate on:

“It’s worth talking to a GP if you have menopausal symptoms that are troubling you or if you’re experiencing symptoms of the menopause before 45 years of age”.20

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  2. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  3. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  4. Can Menopause Cause Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks?
  5. Causes of Menopause
  6. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  7. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  8. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  9. Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
  10. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
  11. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  12. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  13. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society]
  14. Glossary of Terms
  15. HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  16. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  17. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
  18. Hot Stuff: What’s New About Hot Flashes?
  19. How Long Does Menopause Last? – Ask Dr Jean
  20. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  21. Is It Menopause or A Thyroid Problem?
  22. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  23. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  24. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  25. Making Choices At Menopause
  26. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  27. Managing Menopausal Symptoms After Breast Cancer – A Guide for Women [Booklet]
  28. Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
  29. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy
  30. Menopause
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause
  33. Menopause
  34. Menopause
  35. Menopause
  36. Menopause & Herbs
  37. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  38. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause
  39. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  40. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
  41. Menopause What Are the Symptoms Menopause Glossary
  42. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
  43. Menopause Matters
  44. Menopause Symptoms and Relief
  45. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  46. Menopause and Your Health
  47. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  48. Menopause – Fact Sheet (Plain English)
  49. Menopause – Multiply Languages
  50. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  51. Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  52. Menopause – Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  53. Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause
  54. Menopause: Advice To Other Women About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  55. Menopause: Advice To Partners About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  56. Menopause: Consulting the Doctor About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  57. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
  58. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  59. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  60. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  61. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  62. Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  63. Menopause: Profiles – Perimenopausal [Video Interview Stories]
  64. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  65. Menopause: What Is the Menopause? [Video Interview Stories]
  66. MenopauseandU.ca [The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada]
  67. Menopausia
  68. Menstrual Calendar
  69. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
  70. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  71. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  72. Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  73. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  74. Primary Care Women’s Health Forum’s Rock My Menopause
  75. Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
  76. Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
  77. Staying Healthy At Menopause and Beyond
  78. Supporting Women Through Menopause
  79. Symptoms of Menopause
  80. The Menopause Years: FAQs
  81. Understanding Menopause – Booklet
  82. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  83. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  84. Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
  85. Video Series-2020 – TSECs—A New Treatment Option for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  86. Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  87. Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
  88. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
  89. What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
  90. What Is Menopause?
  91. What Is Menopause?
  92. Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
  93. MenopauseWomen’s Wellness: Menopause Misconceptions [+ Video]
  94. Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
  95. Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes Without Hormones
  96. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
  97. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2020 – Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) [Multiply Languages]
  98. Yarning About Menopause
  99. You Think It’s Menopause, But Could It Be Your Thyroid?
  100. ¿Cuáles Son Las Señales y Síntomas De La Menopausia?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What is menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-an-introduction-to-menopause Accessed: 01 October 2020
  2. Menopause Terminology. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/menopause_terminology.php Accessed: 01 October 2020
  3. Menopause: Overview – Introduction. Last Update: 02 July 2020. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279311/ Accessed: 01 October 2020
  4. About Menopause: What Is Menopause? Last Updated: 20 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 25 October 2020
  5. Menopause Terminology: Definitions – Menopause. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/menopause_terminology.php Accessed: 01 October 2020
  6. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What is menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-an-introduction-to-menopause Accessed: 01 October 2020
  7. What Is Menopause? Key Points. Content Updated February 2016. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 01 October 2020
  8. About Menopause: What Is Menopause? Last Updated: 20 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 25 October 2020
  9. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 16 October 2020
  10. About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause. Last Updated: 20 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 25 October 2020
  11. What Is Menopause? Content Updated February 2016. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 01 October 2020
  12. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What is menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-an-introduction-to-menopause Accessed: 01 October 2020
  13. Women and Menopause: General Information. 2012:1. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/downloads/world_menopause_day_2012/wmd_general_menopause_backgrounder.pdf Accessed: 01 October 2020
  14. Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause. 2014:2. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/downloads/world_menopause_day_2014/booklets/ims_wmd_booklet_2014_english.pdf Accessed: 01 October 2020
  15. North American Menopause Society. Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide – Chapter 1: Overview of Menopause: Demographics. 5th Edition 2015:1
  16. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause – Symptoms. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Menopause Accessed: 01 October 2020
  17. De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section B: General Principles Governing the Use of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:314 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 01 October 2020
  18. About Menopause: When To Visit Your Doctor. Last Updated: 20 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 25 October 2020
  19. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 16 October 2020
  20. Menopause: Overview – When To See Your GP. Page Last Reviewed: 29 August 2018. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/#when-to-see-your-gp Accessed: 01 October 2020

Topic Last Updated: 25 October 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 October 2020
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