Menopause is a natural stage of a woman’s life – it marks the end of the woman’s fertile period and it can happen due to the natural aging process, after certain surgeries or a medical treatment. It is caused by a drop in sex hormones called estrogen and progesterone that stop being produced by the ovaries.
The first symptom of menopause is usually an irregularity in periods – you may notice a change in the amount of menstrual blood, but more often than that, the frequency of your periods will change. Periods may become more frequent or rarer, until they stop completely.
This phase of menopause is called perimenopause and the symptoms can last even after the periods stop – most women experience the characteristic symptoms of menopause for years after the last period.
Talk to your doctor about finding the appropriate way to manage your symptoms – there are many options that can help you relieve the symptoms and enjoy your life to the fullest. Here is a detailed look at menopause symptoms and tips on how to cope with them.