While taking hormone replacement therapy, getting exercise is particularly valuable; taking extra hormones such as HRT can sometimes have adverse effects. For example they may feel irritable with associated mood swings or they may feel they are gaining weight, all because of the relentless fluctuation in hormone levels. Although there is no definite research to prove taking HRT makes a woman put on weight, getting exercise can often make certain she feels better about herself.

Our metabolism usually slows down quite significantly as we get older, which means that even if we have always been slim naturally when younger, we often find it more of a struggle as we get older.  Women who have never had this problem may find adjusting their calorie intake to suit their body difficult.

Exercising when you are taking HRT doesn’t need to be strenuous. You don’t have to join a gym, have the mindset of a triathlete, or get obsessive about it. All you need to do is get in a positive state of mind and tell yourself you are going to take a small amount of exercise every week or, even better, every day.

Walking can be one of the best forms of exercise, and establishing some walking in your everyday routine lets you get a surprising level of exercise.

Walking to work, if possible, is a good way to integrate exercise into your daily life. It’s most effective if it takes at least twenty minutes, but any amount is great. If walking to work is not a good option, and you own a dog, walking the dog is not only good for you but also your dog.

Swimming is also a high-quality exercise to do when taking hormone replacement therapy. Swimming exercises almost all of the body. You’ll find your body and energy tones up quickly, if you can make do with fitting in a swimming session three times a week,

Taking even a small amount of exercise will also help smooth out mood swings or feelings of depression you may be experiencing, since exercise releases natural feel good chemicals, endorphins, into the blood stream, that make us feel much better. Working out also lowers your risk for osteoporosis and high blood pressure, so why wait? Start this week and reap the benefits.

Menopause treatment begins with a change in a woman’s dietary habits. One has to take calcium in the form of tablets or in natural dairy products and vegetables. She must decrease consumption of caffeine products like tea and coffee. This is helpful in preserving bone density and increases absorption of calcium.

Other menopause treatments include physical exercises to build strong bones. This must be in the form of a brisk walk or weightlifting exercises to strengthen her bones. Exercising regularly also helps in weight reduction. It is good for the heart and can reduce one’s cholesterol level.

Menopause treatments for hot flashes involve consumption of natural products like soy and tofu that contain natural estrogens. One can have them in raw or cooked form. Scientific studies indicate that soy definitely reduces hot flashes.

Several medicines can form a part of menopause treatments. The intake of belladonna and clonidine can considerably reduce hot flashes. However, one must study their side effects before consuming them. Some medicines induce sleep while others can be dangerous for those having blood pressure.

Another very popular menopause treatment is hormone replacement therapy. This therapy involves taking the estrogen and progesterone hormones orally or in the form of topical creams. Women who have their uterus intact must take both hormones in regulated doses. It is important to decide the dose as per the doctor’s directions since the intake varies from person to person.

A doctor’s guidance is a prerequisite for hormone therapy. Estrogen replacement can banish all symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, fractures and help build bone mass. This is because this form of menopause treatment can lead to breast cancer, blood clots and a host of other medical problems. It is important to know the woman’s medical record and family history of cancer. Women who are prone to cancer are not advised this menopause treatment.

Hormone therapy is available in the form of tablets and creams. Women under 50 years experiencing early menopause can safely take these types of menopause treatments. However, one must undertake a mammogram once in two years, if on hormone therapy. A host of menopause treatments is now widely available due to rapid advances in science. However, a woman must take a suitable treatment according to her needs and strictly under a doctor’s supervision.

Peri-menopausal woman report experiencing symptoms including hot flashes, anger, urinary tract infections, irritability, hyperacidity, skin breakouts (acne), rashes, low sex drive, mood swings, and more. If the sole cause of menopause is a loss of hormones, as is commonly believed in the west, then why do some women experience no symptoms at all during menopause while others can no relief from menopause?

In the Ayurvedic tradition (medical practice of India), doctors report that if a woman reaching this stage already has an imbalance often caused by a diet of fast food, or eating foods with chemicals and preservatives causing an accumulation of digestive impurities, or if stress is a daily experience, she is likely to report more symptoms at this stage in life.

What are some of the things a woman can do to treat her most prevalent and disturbing symptoms?

Diet is a good place to start. If you have hot flashes and mood swings, avoid spicy foods such as chili, cayenne and black mustard seed, vinegar, salty and sour foods. Instead, go for bitter, astringent and sweet foods including vegetables, rice, milk, wheat and pasta, fruit (especially pears and plums), and spices such as cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, fennel and cumin seed.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as memory loss or vaginal dryness, eat cooked, warm foods that are low in fat. Include sweet, sour and salty with a breakfast of cooked apples, prunes and figs to cleanse the digestive system. Under all circumstances, avoid packaged, processed, frozen, and canned foods including leftovers.

Do eat organic when possible and foods that are cooked fresh on a daily basis. The bulk of your diet should be whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables and legumes.
Don’t eat meat, cheese, yogurt and frozen desserts. Don’t skip meals and eat your main meal at noon, and if possible, try to take your meals at the same time each day so your body can count on the consistency.

Asians consume up to 6 servings of soy foods a day, and as a result, they report a significantly lower rate of menopausal discomfort. There are currently plenty of soy products on the market, but to consume the equivalent of 6 cups of soymilk (and its supplement called isoflavones) is difficult and some women find the taste of soy to be “chalky” and somewhat unpleasant. There is, however, a source where you can select The #1 Doctor-Recommended Soy Protein Supplement for Menopause Relief

Other things you can do to get menopause relief from its uncomfortable symptoms include mild, consistent exercise as well as other information for menopause relief on this page.

Menopause is something every woman with all her reproductive organs eventually experiences. Menopause is a natural part of the biological process. It is not a disease or illness although some menopause side effects can be unpleasant.

Some doctors claim that menopause is a process that can start in a woman in her 30s and last as late as her 60s. But menopause occurs in most women between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is officially the full stopping of menstrual periods for at least 12 months in a row.

Some of the signs and symptoms of menopause include the obvious, irregular periods. Unpredictability of periods is one of the first signs of menopause. Menstrual periods can suddenly vary between gradually getting lighter, then heavier, and then lighter again.

Another sign of menopause is decreased fertility. A menopausal woman does not ovulate and cannot get pregnant. But women in the menopause transition should still be cautious. Pregnancy in a woman who hasn’t completed menopause can still happen, especially if it’s only been a few months since her periods stopped. Remember, full menopause doesn’t occur until a woman’s menstrual periods have stopped for at least 12 months.

Menopause is caused by a woman’s estrogen levels decreasing. So a woman in menopause doesn’t produce enough estrogen to keep the vagina and urethra well lubricated. So menopause causes the vagina and urethra to become less elastic and drier, causing those areas to become itchier and more at risk for infections. Sex can also be more uncomfortable for women in menopause.

The drops in estrogen levels during menopause can also cause what’s called hot flashes. Hot flashes are often the butt of jokes, but can be quite bad for some women experiencing menopause. Hot flashes in menopause last at least 30 seconds to up to several minutes. They’re characterized by a flushed face and red blotches on chest, neck and arms. They can happen any time during the day or night. Other symptoms and signs of menopause include an inability to sleep as well as a modest – usually five-pound – weight gain. Adult acne can get worse during menopause. Plus with decreased estrogen levels in menopause, the small amounts of testosterone every female produces takes over. Because of this, sometimes women in menopause can get coarse facial hair and coarse hair on the chest and stomach.

Menopause is a natural life transition. But sometimes complications in the process of menopause occur. For example, if a woman knows for sure she’s in menopause (that is she hasn’t had a period for at least 12 months in a row), and she’s bleeding from her vagina, she should go see a doctor.

If a woman thinks she’s in menopause, but isn’t sure, she can always go to a doctor. Depending on the situation, a doctor might take a blood test to determine menopause. In this case, a blood sample is usually tested for the level of estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). During menopause FSH levels increase as estrogen levels decrease. So higher levels of FSH and lower levels of estrogen will show a woman has gone into menopause.

A common menopause natural remedy is the use of cotton fabric as both apparel and bedding. Being that it is a breathable fabric, cotton is often recommended as the most comfortable clothing to wear during menopausal hot flashes. During the night, cotton bedding will be comfortable and breathable and help to absorb moisture from sweating during a hot flash.

Among the remaining menopause natural remedy treatments are acupuncture, hot or cold packs for aching back muscles, aromatherapy, relaxation techniques and improved sleeping habits. During menopause, sleep disturbances are very common. In order to help make each night a more restful one, individuals often try to make their accommodations more comfortable. This is the perfect menopause natural remedy for improved sleep and is often accomplished by making sure the temperature is comfortable in the room, the use of cotton betting and a comfortable mattress, an air purifier to make the air clean and cool, etc.

During menopause, many women suffer from mood swings. In an effort to reduce this occurrence, many turn toward relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to help maintain a healthy balance. In addition, many find that yoga exercises are beneficial in teaching relaxation, breathing and other positive goals.

There are also a number of herbal remedies, which can be explained by a physician or through reading various books dedicated to the treatment of menopause. A physician would be an excellent source of information relating to the various menopause natural remedy treatments that would be the safest and most effective for each individual patient.

The symptoms of menopause vary from one woman to another, but most commonly include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, menstrual irregularity, back and muscle pain, irritability, fatigue and mood swings. If a woman begins to experience any or all of these symptoms, she should visit a local physician in order to confirm the diagnosis and obtain a recommended treatment method.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions regarding a menopause natural remedy should consult their physician for further information.

Menopause is the cessation of the monthly female menstrual cycle. Women who have not had a menstrual period for a year considered post menopausal. Women in late or early fifties experience menopause, women who have gone through menopause are no longer fertile. The journey to menopause begins for women long before cessation of their menstrual cycle.

It begins naturally when your ovaries start making less of estrogen and progesterone. During reproductive years these hormones regulate monthly cycle of ovulation and menstruation. For most women, hormone production begins to slow down when they reach their thirties and continues to diminish as they age. Since this process spans over decades perimenopause precedes menopause. During perimenopause you start experiencing symptoms through you are still ovulating. Hormonal levels rise, fall unevenly, you may experience any or all of these symptoms.

Symptoms:

• Anxiety and fatigue
• Bloating headaches
• Heart palpitation
• Insomnia, irritability
• Reduced sex drive
• Mood swing, night sweats
• Urinary incontinence
• Weight gain, dry vagina.

Quite a list

By the time women reach menopause and stop menstruating altogether, acute problems linked with it are likely to disappear. However, women become increasingly vulnerable to serious health problems. Over the period, diminished supply of estrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy. Osteoporosis is a common problem women experience post-menopause. Recent researches say soya beans, chickpeas and other legumes contain phyto estrogens which help in tiding over menopausal symptoms.

Lifestyle changes :- Increase intake of dark green leafy vegetables, turmeric, fenugreek, bitter gourd and broccoli. Consume foods high in magnesium (nuts like almonds, walnuts), dairy products and bananas, exercise, eat well. Get 1500 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of Vitamin D. Eat five-six small nutritious meals instead of three large ones, take Vitamin E. Quit smoking. Do pelvic floor exercise to strengthen urinary muscles. Experiment with acupuncture.

Avoid pungent sour and salt tastes. Refrain from alcohol, hot weather or spicy food. Help comes in from of Menopause Formula from GNC for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

• What is menopause?

• What is perimenopause?

• What symptoms might I have before and after
  menopause?

• How will I know when I am nearing menopause?

• How can I manage my symptoms?

• Does menopause cause bone loss?

• Does menopause raise my chances of getting cardiovascular disease?

• Can menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) help treat my symptoms?

• Who should not take MHT for menopause?
  

• Can MHT prevent heart disease or Alzheimer’s
  disease?

• Are there natural treatments for my symptoms?

• What is “bioidentical” hormone therapy?

• How much physical activity do I need as I approach menopause?

• Do I need a special diet as I approach menopause?

• I’m having a hysterectomy soon. Will this cause
  menopause?

• What if I have symptoms of menopause before age 40?

• Other popular question and answers

• Questions that others have asked
  

What is menopause?

Menopause is the point in time when a woman’s menstrual periods stop. Some people call the years leading up to a woman’s last period “menopause,” but that time actually is perimenopause (PER-ee-MEN-oh-pawz).

Periods can stop for a while and then start again, so a woman is considered to have been through menopause only after a full year without periods. (There also can’t be some other reason for the periods stopping like being sick or pregnant.) After menopause, a woman no longer can get pregnant. It is common to experience symptoms such as hot flashes in the time around menopause.

The average age of menopause is 51, but for some women it happens in their 40s or later in their 50s. Sometimes called “the change of life,” menopause is a normal part of life.

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What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause (PER-ee-MEN-oh-pawz), which is sometimes called “the menopausal transition,” is the time leading up to a woman’s last period. During this time a woman will have changes in her levels of the hormones estrogen (ES-truh-jin) and progesterone (proh-JES-tuh-RONE). These changes may cause symptoms like hot flashes. Some symptoms can last for months or years after a woman’s period stops. After menopause, a woman is in postmenopause, which lasts the rest of her life.

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What symptoms might I have before and after menopause?

The hormone changes that happen around menopause affect every woman differently. Also, symptoms sometimes are not caused by menopause but by other aspects of aging instead.

Some changes that might start in the years around menopause include:

• Irregular periods. Your periods may:
  • Come more often or less often
  • Last more days or fewer
  • Be lighter or heavier
• Hot flashes
  (or flushes). These can cause:
  • Sudden feelings of heat all over or in the upper part of your body
  • Flushing of your face and neck
  • Red blotches on your chest, back, and arms
  • Heavy sweating and cold shivering after the flash
• Trouble sleeping. You may have:
  • Trouble sleeping through the night
  • Night sweats (hot flashes that make you sweat while you sleep)
• Vaginal and urinary problems. Changing hormone levels can lead to:
  • Drier and thinner vaginal tissue, which can make sex uncomfortable
  • More infections in the vagina
  • More urinary tract infections
  • Not being able to hold your urine long enough to get to the bathroom (urinary incontinence)
• Mood changes. You might:
  • Have mood swings (which are not the same as depression)
  • Cry more often
  • Feel crabby
• Changing feelings about sex. You might:
  • Feel less interested in sex
  • Feel more comfortable with your sexuality
• Other changes. Some other possible changes at this time (either from lower levels of hormones or just from getting older) include:
  
  • Forgetfulness or trouble focusing
  • Losing muscle, gaining fat, and having a larger waist
  • Feeling stiff or achy

  
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How will I know when I am nearing menopause?

Symptoms, a physical exam, and your medical history can provide clues that you are in perimenopause. Your doctor also could test the amount of hormones in your blood. But hormones go up and down during your menstrual cycle, so these tests alone can’t tell for sure that you have gone through menopause or are getting close to it.

How can I manage symptoms of menopause?

It is not necessary to get treatment for your symptoms unless they are bothering you. You can learn about simple lifestyle changes that may help with symptoms, and some symptoms will go away on their own. If you’re interested in medical treatments like menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), ask your doctor about the possible risks and benefits.

Here are some ways to deal with symptoms:

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Hot Flashes

• Try to avoid things that may trigger hot flashes, like spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, stress, or being in a hot place.
• Dress in layers, and remove some when you feel a flash starting.
• Use a fan in your home or workplace.
• Try taking slow, deep breaths when a hot flash starts.
• If you still get periods, ask your doctor about low-dose oral contraceptives (birth control pills), which may help.
• Some women can take menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), which can be very effective in treating hot flashes and night sweats.
• If MHT is not an option, your doctor may prescribe medications that usually are used for other conditions, like epilepsy, depression, and high blood pressure, but that have been shown to help with hot flashes.

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Vaginal Dryness

• A water-based, over-the-counter vaginal lubricant like K-Y Jelly can help make sex more comfortable.
• An over-the-counter vaginal moisturizer like Replens can help keep needed moisture in your vagina.
• The most effective treatment may be MHT if the dryness is severe. But if dryness is the only reason for considering MHT, vaginal estrogen products like creams generally are a better choice.

Problems Sleeping

• Be physically active (but not too close to bedtime, since exercise might make you more awake).
• Avoid large meals, smoking, and working right before bed. Avoid caffeine after noon.
• Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex.
• Avoid napping during the day.
• Try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day.
• If you can’t get to sleep, get up and read until you’re tired.
• If hot flashes are the cause of sleep problems, treating the hot flashes usually will help.

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Mood Swings

• Try getting enough sleep and staying physically active to feel your best.
• Learn ways to deal with stress. “Stress and Your Health” has helpful tips.
• Talk to your doctor to see if you may have depression, which is a serious illness.
• Consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group.
• If you are using MHT for hot flashes or another menopause symptom, your mood swings may get better too.

Memory Problems

• Getting enough sleep and keeping physically active may help.
• If forgetfulness or other mental problems are affecting your daily life, see your doctor.

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Urinary Incontinence

• Ask your doctor about treatments, including medicines, behavioral changes, certain devices, and surgery.

Does menopause cause bone loss?

Lower estrogen around the time of menopause leads to bone loss in women. Bone loss can cause bones to weaken, which can cause bones to break more easily. When bones weaken a lot, the condition is called osteoporosis (OSS-tee-oh-puh-ROH-suhss).

To keep your bones strong, women need weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, climbing stairs, or using weights. You can also protect bone health by eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, or if needed, taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Not smoking also helps protect your bones. Learn more about bone health in our osteoporosis fact sheet.

Ask your doctor if you need a bone density test. Your doctor can also suggest ways to prevent or treatosteoporosis.

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Does menopause raise my chances of getting cardiovascular disease?

Yes. After menopause, women are more likely to have cardiovascular (kar-dee-oh-VAS-kuh-lur) problems, like heart attacks and strokes. Changes in estrogen levels may be part of the cause, but so is getting older. That’s because as you get older, you may gain weight and develop other health problems that increase your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Ask your doctor about important tests like those for cholesterol and high blood pressure. Discuss ways to prevent CVD. The following lifestyle changes also can help prevent CVD:

• Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
• Exercising
• Following a healthy diet
  

Learn more about heart health and stroke.

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Can menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) help treat my symptoms?

MHT, which used to be called hormone replacement therapy (HRT), involves taking the hormones estrogen and progesterone. (Women who don’t have a uterus anymore take just estrogen). MHT can be very good at relieving moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and preventing bone loss. But MHT also has some risks, especially if used for a long time.

MHT can help with menopause by:

• Reducing hot flashes and night sweats, and related problems such as poor sleep and irritability
  
• Treating vaginal symptoms, such as dryness and discomfort, and related problems, such as pain during sex
• Slowing bone loss
  
• Possibly easing mood swings and mild depressive mood

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For somewomen, MHT may increase their chance of:

• Blood clots
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Breast cancer
• Gall bladder disease

Research into the risks and benefits of MHT continues. For example, a recent study suggests that the low-dose patch form of MHT may not have the possible risk of stroke that other forms can have. Talk with your doctor about the positives and negatives of MHT based on your medical history and age. Keep in mind, too, that you may have symptoms when you stop MHT. You can also ask about other treatment options. Lower-dose estrogen products (vaginal creams, rings, and tablets) are a good choice if you are bothered only by vaginal symptoms, for example. And other drugs may help with bone loss.

If you choose MHT, experts recommend that you:

• Use it at the lowest dose that helps
• Use it for the shortest time needed

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If you take MHT, call your doctor if you develop any of the following side effects:

• Vaginal bleeding
  
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Nausea

Who should not take MHT for menopause?

Women who:

• Think they are pregnant
  
• Have problems with undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• Have had certain kinds of cancers (such as breast or uterine cancer)
• Have had a stroke or heart attack
• Have had blood clots
  
• Have liver disease
  
• Have heart disease
  

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Can MHT prevent heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease?

A major study called the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) has looked at the effects of MHT on heart disease and other health concerns. It has explored many questions relating to MHT, including whether MHT’s effects are different depending on when a woman starts it.

Future research may tell experts even more about MHT. For now, MHT should not be used to prevent heart disease, memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. MHT sometimes is used to treat bone loss and menopausal symptoms.

Are there natural treatments for my symptoms?

Some women try herbs or other products that come from plants to help relieve hot flashes. These include:

• Soy.
  Soy contains phytoestrogens (FEYE-toh-ESS-truh-juhns). These are substances from a plant that may act like the estrogen your body makes. There is no clear proof that soy or other sources of phytoestrogens make hot flashes better. And the risks of taking soy products like pills and powders are not known. If you are going to try soy, the best sources are foods such as tofu, tempeh, soymilk, and soy nuts.
• Other sources of phytoestrogens.
  These include herbs such as black cohosh, wild yam, dong quai, and valerian root. There is not enough evidence that these herbs — or pills or creams containing these herbs — help with hot flashes. Also, not enough is known about the risks of using these products.

Make sure to discuss any natural or herbal products with your doctor before taking them. It’s also important to tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking. Some plant products or foods can be harmful when combined with certain medications.

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What is “bioidentical” hormone therapy?

Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) means manmade hormones that are the same as the hormones the body makes. There are several prescription BHT products that are well-tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Often, people use the term “BHT” to mean medications that are custom-made by a pharmacist for a specific patient based on a doctor’s order. These custom-made products are also sometimes called bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Despite claims, there is no proof that these products are better or safer than drugs approved by the FDA. Also, many insurance and prescription programs do not pay for these drugs because they are viewed as experimental.

How much physical activity do I need as I approach menopause?

Physical activity helps many areas of your life, including mood, sleep, and heart health. Aim for:

• At least 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic physical activity or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity or some combination of the two exercises that build muscle strength on two days each week

If you are not able to follow these guidelines, be as physically active as you can. Your doctor can help you decide what’s right for you.

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Do I need a special diet as I approach menopause?

A balanced diet will give you most of what your body needs to stay healthy. Here are a few special points to consider:

• Older people need just as many nutrients but tend to need fewer calories for energy. Learn about eating healthy after 50.
• Women over 50 need 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B₁₂ and 1.5 milligrams of vitamin B₆ each day. Ask your doctor if you need a vitamin supplement.
• After menopause, a woman’s calcium needs go up to maintain bone health. Women 51 and older should get 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day. Vitamin D also is important to bone health. Women 51 to 70 should get 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day. Women ages 71 and older need 800 IU of vitamin D each day.
• Women past menopause who are still having vaginal bleeding because they are using menopausal hormone therapy might need extra iron.

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I’m having a hysterectomy soon. Will this cause menopause?

A woman who has a hysterectomy (his-tur-EK-tuh-mee) but keeps
her ovaries does not have menopause right away. Because your uterus is removed, you no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant. But your ovaries might still make hormones, so you might not have other signs of menopause. You may have hot flashes because the surgery may affect the blood supply to the ovaries. Later on, you might have natural menopause a year or two earlier than usually expected.

A woman who has both ovaries removed at the same time that the hysterectomy is done has menopause right away. Having both ovaries removed is called a bilateral oophorectomy (OH-uh-fuh-REK-tuh-mee). Women who have this operation no longer have periods and may have menopausal symptoms right away. Because your hormones drop quickly, your symptoms may be stronger than with natural menopause. If you are having this surgery, ask your doctor about how to manage your symptoms.

Menopause that is caused by surgery also puts you at risk for certain conditions, such as bone loss and heart disease. Ask your doctor about possible steps, including MHT, to help prevent these problems.

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What if I have symptoms of menopause before age 40?

Some women have symptoms of menopause and stop having their periods much earlier than expected. This can happen for no clear reason, or it can be caused by:

• Medical treatments, such as surgery to remove the ovaries
• Cancer treatments that damage the ovaries such as chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvic area — although menopause does not always occur
• An immune system problem in which a woman’s own body cells attack her ovaries

When menopause comes early on its own, it sometimes has been called “premature menopause” or “premature ovarian failure.” A better term is “primary ovarian insufficiency,” which describes the decreased activity in the ovaries. In some cases, women have ovaries that still make hormones from time to time, and their menstrual periods return. Some women can even become pregnant after the diagnosis.

For women who want to have children and can’t, early menopause can be a source of great distress. Women who want to become mothers can talk with their doctors about other options, such as donor egg programs or adoption.

Early menopause raises your risk of certain health problems, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about ways to protect your health. You might ask about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Some researchers think the risks of MHT for younger women might be smaller and the benefits greater than for women who begin MHT at or after the typical age of menopause.

Let your doctor know if you are younger than 40 and have symptoms of menopause.

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Other Popular Questions and Answers

How Long Does Menopause Last?

What Menopause Creams Really Work?

Natural Remedies for Menopause?

How to Help Menopause Hot Flashes?

Menopause Weight Gain?

How to Lose Weight During Menopause?

Menopause Vitamins?

Fibroids After Menopause?

Qigong for Menopause?

Menopause and Fatigue?

Menopause Headaches and Migraines?

Best Menopause Diet?

Herbs for Menopause?

Menopause and Depression?

Pre-Menopause Symptoms?

Early Signs of Menopause?

HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause?

Bleeding After Menopause?

How Many Years Does Menopause Last?

Weird Symptoms of Menopause

Black Cohosh for Menopause

Calcium Magnesium and Zinc for Menopause?

Average Age Of Menopause?

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Questions That Others Have Asked

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page… Maybe your question is already answered here:

Hysterectomy side effects? I had a vaginal hysterectomy 6 years ago (I was 28) and I’ve noticed that over the past 8 months or so that my body has been changing.

Facial hair,…

Still menstruating at age 58 I’m still menstruating at age 58. I did skip 2 cycles, but I just got it again. Should I be concerned? No one else I know is still having periods at my …

Can menopause turn my wife into an alcoholic? For nearly 20 years, my wonderful wife and I were social drinkers and enjoyed alcohol very much.

Pre-menopause set in and my wife turned into an alcohol …

A period after having none for a year? I turn 59 next month. I hadn’t had a period in just over a year. Never had any menopause symptoms, no hot flashes, no night sweats. Figured I just got …

Menopause no period for a year I am in menopause and I have not had a period for over a year, 16 months actually.

I did go through the sweats and hot flushes for a while not extreme …

Unusual symptoms of menopause? I am 43 yrs old and my family has a history of early menopause.

My menstrual cycle has recently stopped but I am experiencing significant pelvic pain,…

Almost two years without a period Can it be possible to get a period after almost 2 years of not having one?

Menopause Sweating I’m turning 51 and my period has stopped for nearly two months. Recently I sweat a lot like face wash, is this one of the symptoms of menopause? I also …

Heart Palpitations and Menopause I keep having palpitations and my heart keeps murmuring and fluttering. Is this normal, or part of menopause? It is a scary feeling and I notice it sometimes …

Youngest Age for Menopause? I’m in my early twenties and I’m worried that I may be starting the menopause phase. What are the signs and is this possible?

Click here to write your own.

Hysterectomy and menopause? I am 31 and I had a vaginal hysterectomy 5 years ago. I am really having a lot of these menopause symptoms. Could I go through menopause after my hysterectomy …

Premature Menopause Signs? I think I may be menopausal. I have IBS symptoms, palpitations, coming over faint, feeling hot and sweaty, periods of feeling light-headed and serious …

No menstruation for 5 months I am 26, almost 27. I think I might be going through early pre-menopause. I have been without a cycle for 5 months. That is not normal for me. Is it possible …

When is it safe to stop using birth control in menopause When is it safe to stop using birth control during menopause? When you haven’t had a period for 2 years, or?

Menopause and Flu-Like Symptoms I am experiencing short breaks between my monthly cycles, when usually I have very regular 28 day cycles. And I’m getting flu-like symptoms each time. Is …

In Menopause do periods just stop? when your going through menopause, do you get your periods, or do they just stop?

Hormone Patch I have been on hormonal patch for about 2 months now. Is there any possibility that a side effect might be that it could dry out my vaginal area?

Cold flashes in menopause? I am having cold flashes – is this a normal part of menopause?

Menopause blood test results? Can early menopause or perimenopause start off but not show up in a your menopause blood test results? I’m having mood swings, hot sweats, irritability …

Postmenapusal bleeding I am a 49-year old woman who stopped menstruating 16 months ago. Should I be concerned that I started a period with associated back pain 2 days ago? I …

At what age does menopause start? I seem to have almost every symptom of menopause. Could i really be going through menopause or perimenpause at age 30???

Facial tingling in menopause? Has anyone else experienced tingling skin as a symptom of menopause or perimenopause? Lately I have been experiencing a tingling sensation on my right …

PeriMenopause body odor smell? During menopause, how do you stop the changes in body odor. Why is it so smelly?

Pre Menopause Periods? I am about to turn 45 and have on a few occasions experienced some pre-menopause symptoms. The first time was 6 years ago, and I believe stress brought …

Menopause alcohol intolerance? During menopause can you have an allergic reaction to alcohol in drinks or when there is alcohol in foods? I have heard about menopause alcohol intolerance …

Pregnancy after Menopause At what age does a women begin to lose the ability to become pregnant? Is there any chance for pregnancy after menopause or not?

Menopause Body Vibration and Tingling I have a weird vibration throughout my body and especially in my lower left leg. I have been told this could possibly be a symptom of menopause. It is …

Menopause loss of libido? I am a man and my girlfriend/fiance is 48 going through pre-menopause. Lately she does not want to kiss or show affection, and has no urges for sex. Is …

Stopping HRT If HRT helps with the diminishing estrogen in the body – what happens when you stop taking it as the estrogen isn’t replaced? Are you only postponing the …

Tinnitus and menopause Is ringing in the ears one of the symptoms of menopause? Is there any connection between Tinnitus and menopause than anyone can tell me about?

Dryness Are there supplements to increase vaginal moisture, and ease the dryness symptoms?

Kliofem 2 mg HRT I have been taking Kliofem 2 mg HRT for just over 1 year.

Lately been feeling more anxious & having worse brain fog than ever.

Can I ask for a stronger …

Loss of memory during menopause? I have been menopausal for almost two years now. This past 12 months my memory has been getting very bad.

I can remember clearly things from years ago …

Menopause sleep disorders? Sometimes while trying to go to sleep I have a feeling of blood rushing through my head.

It feels as though I am going to faint. I open my eyes and …

Can ovaries functioning be restarted? Can ovaries functioning be restarted? I am 40-yrs old and I have lost estrogen production. I am wondering if medicines can be given to help my cycles return …

Menopause high blood pressure Can menopause cause high blood pressure and cause your cholesterol readings to go higher?

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Night sweats even though I am on HRT I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure 13 years ago and have been taking HRT.

Recently I have begun to have bad night sweats even though my …

Hair loss in menopause I noticed that during menopause my hair at the front is going very thin, I can see my scalp. Will my hair grow back after menopause is over?

Early menopause at age 20? I’m only 20 years old and it has been 1 year and 2 weeks since I last had a monthly period!

Could this be early menopause?

And will I ever be able …

Itching during menopause? I am 48 and just wondering about itching during menopause.

Is one of the symptoms like your whole body just itches all the time?

I just feel like …

Peri menopause and using estrogen pessaries Hello,

I am 46 and have had peri menopause symptoms for 5 years – irregular periods, etc.

Then 3 years ago, whilst still having irregular periods …

Pelvic Pain and Pressure in Menopause Is constant pain and/or pressure in the pelvic area with no menstrual cycle, a common sign of menopause?

Menopause mood swings Mood swings and feelings of depression are the menopause symptoms I am facing. Also, my menstrual bleeding has stopped completely. Are these normal symptoms?…

Suppressed ovaries in menopause? I have been told by my doctor that I am in the early stages of menopause.

He also told me that my ovaries were suppressed.

What exactly does this …

Menopause and Libido I am 52 years old and have been menopausal for many years. I also had a complete hysterectomy about 5 years ago. I have been on different types of HRT …

Pregnancy During Pre-Menopause? Can you get pregnant while going through the early stages of pre-menopause or peri-menopause?

Early age for menopause? I started my menstrual cycle at a very early age. Does that mean I will start menopause sooner, at a younger age than the average woman?

Menopause age spots? Does Menopause create changes to your complexion, such as brown blotches and age spots on the face?

Early menopause pregnancy test? This may sound silly but I am 41 and I suspect I may be pregnant – but I am also having hot flushes and mild menopausal signs. Can early menopause hormone …

Menopause bleeding between periods? Is it OK if you see a light menopause bleeding between periods, even after you stop? Like you bleed on and off now and then?

Missed Periods in Menopause? I missed a period towards the end of last year and although my husband had had a vasectomy the doctor insisted that I do a pregnancy test. All was fine …

Menopause Irregular Cycles While reading all the symptoms of menopause, I am wondering if I am already into it since I have most of the symptoms except that my cycle has started …

Menopause After Hysterectomy? I had a partial hysterectomy 10 years ago. Shortly after, the doctor had to remove one of my ovaries. I recently turned 40 but seem to have many of the …

Menopause Age 40? Isn’t menopause possible for women at age 39 or early 40?

Night Sweats and HRT Why do I still experience major night sweats every evening despite taking the hormone replacement? I used to have terrible hot flashes, and insomnia, but …

Menopause after partial hysterectomy? Is it possible to begin menopause after a vaginal partial-hysterectomy which did not remove ovaries?

Periods and Menopause My physician confirmed that I was going through menopause. Now it is a couple of months later and I am having a light period when I thought I was done …

Menopause Husband? How do talk with my wife about how I believe she is going through early menopause? She has many symptoms but seems to be in denial. I want to be a supportive …

Could i be going through menopause? I didn’t get my period this month. I am 50 years old, could I be going through menopause?

Earliest age of menopause? Can you go through menopause at the age of 27? What is the earliest age menopause can begin in women?

No period for a year then it returns? I had not had my period for a year then all of the sudden it started again and it is very heavy. What is going on? Is this a menopause symptom?

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It is important to take these menopause hormones strictly under a doctor’s guidance. A doctor studies the patient’s symptoms and entire family history and then recommends the correct dose and combination of menopause hormones. This ensures that the patient is not at risk and is taking the right menopause hormone.

Women can take either one or both menopause hormones depending on their physical condition and age. Women who have undergone a hysterectomy must take both estrogen and progesterone. Such women have a greater risk of heart disease, blood clots and breast cancer. Women taking estrogen alone have a chance of suffering a stroke.

Menopause hormones give good relief from hot flushes and vaginal dryness. There is no proof that they prevent heart disease or improve one’s general health. The benefits of menopause hormones vary with age. Women with early menopause greatly benefit from a short course of menopause hormones. Older women who take menopause hormones have a greater risk of developing breast cancer or tumors.

Younger women do reduce their chance of heart disease by taking menopause hormones. A comprehensive study to determine the benefits and risks of menopause hormones in younger women is underway. The results of this study can provide vital clues for improving the health and quality of life of menopausal women in the years to come.

There is a need to regulate the duration of menopause hormones. One must take estrogen daily and progesterone about twice a week. The exact dosage varies with the patient’s symptoms and medical condition. However, it is worth taking menopause hormones for a short time and not on a continuous basis.

A woman must regularly review the dosage of menopause hormones with her doctor. If the hot flushes have ceased, she must stop taking menopause hormones gradually. She can also shift to other localized medication like creams and patches. Menopause hormones are not a cure for age related problems like osteoporosis and heart disease. They are the last step in therapy when other medications have failed for these medical conditions.

Thus, a doctor must prescribe menopause hormones only after a detailed study of the patient’s medical record. Menopause hormones are not a magic cure for the symptoms of menopause, but they do gradually lessen some of its symptoms like hot flushes.

There is one fact though that will be inevitable – bothersome symptoms. For you to be able to successfully go through the “andropause stage,” you need to know how to treat the said condition.

Change in lifestyle.

The food you eat, how you administer your health regime, the social activities you have and how you basically run your life is a vital factor which can contribute to the way you will respond towards male menopause.

Therefore, studies show that in order for you to combat the symptoms of andropause, you need to establish a healthy lifestyle. By doing so, you can relieve some of male menopause symptoms. By choosing the food you eat, you are most likely be avoiding emotional exhaustion. Foods which contain too much caffeine can heighten nervousness and being nervous is one symptom which you should prevent.

Regular exercise should also be taken into account since during andropause stage sudden weight gain will be experienced. Additionally, studies show that exercise helps an individual achieve a more stable emotion.

You have to select the social activities you will be attending since it may be a factor to heighten the symptoms of male menopause. For instance, since at this stage insomnia may occur, you should do away with activities which will most likely fall on

Going Herbal

Along with establishing a healthy lifestyle, you may try herbs as a form of treatment on male menopause. There were clinical studies conducted in Europe which confirms success on andropause treatments with the use of herbs.

Helpful herbs are saw palmetto, avena sativa, eurycoma longifolia and tribulus terrestris.

Medical Treatment

Minor medical treatment includes intake of capsules and inhalation of lozenges which are common oral treatments to stabilize the testosterone level. Other male individuals have the option to go with testosterone injections since users find it effective. Another preference to even out the levels of testosterone is through the use of transdermal patches which are placed on the skin. Furthermore, a natural testosterone gel may be also be used. Some individuals who have used the gel testified to its effectiveness.

There are medical treatments appropriate for achieving the average amount of testosterone level. Testosterone replacement therapy is an alternative treatment to combat andropause wherein blood tests are being carried out to determine the amount of testosterone needed for it to normalize.

The type of treatment that you will follow depends on your personal preference and how responsible you are in undertaking the treatment option you have decided. However, it is best to discuss your desired treatment options with your physician since having too much of testosterone level is unhealthy.

If you want to overcome male menopause, you need to start with yourself. Acknowledge that you have and do what must be done to continue living the normal and happy life you once have.