Postmenopause is the stage that begins once a woman has gone 12 full months without a menstrual period. At this point, symptoms of menopause usually start to decrease or go away completely. Some key things to know about postmenopause:
- It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. After postmenopause, a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally.
- The transition happens because a woman's ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Lower hormone levels cause periods to become irregular and eventually stop.
- The average age for women to reach postmenopause is 51. But it can happen anywhere between 40-55 years old.
- Common symptoms leading up to postmenopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and sleep problems. These typically improve after postmenopause.
- Long-term health risks after postmenopause include osteoporosis and heart disease. It's important for women to adopt healthy lifestyle habits during this transition.
- Ask your doctor about safe treatment options for residual symptoms, like low-dose hormone therapy or non-hormonal medications.
- Maintain a nutritious, balanced diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D to support bone health.
- Incorporate regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises into your routine to prevent bone density loss.
- Schedule routine health screenings with your doctor, including mammograms and bone density tests, to catch any issues early.
- Join a menopause or postmenopause support group to get advice and tips from women going through the same transition.