Menopause
Overview
Risk Factors
Menopause is a normal part of aging. It is most common in women who are 40 to 58 years of age.
When it happens early, risk factors are:
- Smoking
- Cancer treatments
- Surgery to remove the uterus or ovaries
- Contact with arsenic
- Use of oral birth control
- Low body fat
- Having a mother who was given diethylstilbestrol (DES) when pregnant
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will ask about your periods. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Sometimes, a blood test to look for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may be done to confirm the diagnosis. High levels of FSH suggest menopause.
Treatments
Treatment
Menopause is a normal part of life. It does not need treatment.
Hormone changes can cause symptoms. These can be managed with medicine and lifestyle changes.
Female Reproductive Organs |
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Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT can be used for a short time. Here are some options:
- Estrogens
- Progesterone
- A blend of estrogen and progesterone
- Low amounts of male hormones
Non-hormone Options
HRT is not a good choice for some women. Here are other options:
- Certain blood pressure medicines
- Antidepressant medicines
- Antiseizure medicines
Lifestyle Changes
Some lifestyle changes may help manage symptoms, such as eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
RESOURCES
The North American Menopause Society http://www.menopause.org
Office on Women's Health https://www.womenshealth.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
Women's Health Matters—Women's College Hospital http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin No. 141: management of menopausal symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jan;123(1):202-216, reaffirmed 2016, correction can be found in Obstet Gynecol 2016 Jan;127(1):166.
Menopause. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/menopause . Updated December 5, 2019. Accessed July 22, 2020.
Menopause. Planned Parenthood website. Available at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menopause. Accessed July 22, 2020.
Menopause 101: A primer for the perimenopausal. North American Menopause Society website. Available at: http://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/menopause-101-a-primer-for-the-perimenopausal. Accessed July 22, 2020.