What is menopause?

Menopause is the point in your life when you permanently stop having menstrual periods. After 1 year of having no periods, you've reached menopause.

In most cases, menopause happens around age 50. But everyone's body has its own time line. You may stop having periods in your mid-40s. Or you might have them well into your 50s.

Menopause is a natural part of growing older. You don't need treatment for it unless your symptoms bother you. But it's a good idea to learn all you can about menopause. Knowing what to expect can help you stay as healthy as possible.

Symptoms may include:

• Hot flashes.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Vaginal dryness and sexual problems.

Symptoms related to mood and thinking may also happen around the time of menopause. These include:

• Mood swings, or feeling depressed or worried.
• Problems with remembering or thinking clearly.

You may have only a few mild symptoms. Or you might have severe symptoms that disrupt your sleep and daily life.

Symptoms tend to last or get worse the first year or more after menopause. Over time, hormones even out at low levels. Many symptoms improve or go away. But sometimes symptoms don't go away.

Your age, your history of menstrual periods, and your symptoms will tell your doctor if you are near or at menopause. If you can, bring a calendar or journal of your periods and symptoms.

You likely won't need to be tested to see if you have started perimenopause or reached menopause. But if your doctor suspects another medical condition, you may have some tests. Tests may include a pregnancy test or hormone tests.

If you have heavy, irregular periods, your doctor may want to do tests to rule out a serious cause of the bleeding. Heavy bleeding may be a normal sign of perimenopause. But it can also be caused by infection, disease, or a pregnancy problem.

If your symptoms are bothering you, there are treatments that can help.

Medicines may include:

• Hormonal birth control before menopause.
• Hormone therapy (HT).
• Antidepressants.
• Clonidine.
• Gabapentin.

Other treatments that may help include cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and an over-the-counter vaginal lubricant.

A healthy lifestyle can help you manage menopause symptoms. It can also help lower your risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, and other long-term health problems.

• If you smoke, stop. Quitting smoking can reduce hot flashes and long-term health risks.
• Get regular exercise. It can help you manage your weight, keep your heart and bones strong, and lift your mood.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol. This may help manage menopause symptoms.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet. Choose foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, fish, or whole grains. Limit foods that have a lot of salt, fat, and sugar.
• Be sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D to help your bones stay strong. Eat foods that are rich in calcium. Ask your doctor if taking a supplement with calcium and vitamin D is right for you.
• Try to manage stress. Breathing exercises, mediation, or yoga may help.