May 9, 1999
Web posted at: 2:08 PM EDT (1808 GMT)

In this story: What is menopause? Health risks and replacement therapy A new beginning RELATED SITES

(WebMD) -- Every woman knows that if she lives long enough, she will go through menopause, the "change of life." But what is it? What should we expect, and when should we expect it? And, perhaps most importantly, what can we do to make this transition as physically and emotionally comfortable as possible?

What is menopause?

The word menopause comes from the Greek and Latin words for "moon" and "stop," and refers to the ending of a woman's menstrual cycle, viewed by some throughout history to be influenced by the moon. The moon may or may not affect our periods, but estrogen most certainly does.

As we age, our bodies begin to produce less estrogen, resulting in irregular or nonexistent menstruation. This can also occur after removal of the uterus and both ovaries and is then called a surgical menopause. Non-surgical menopause usually occurs around the age of 50, give or take five years. It is not impossible, however, for it to happen as early as age 35 or as late as age 60.

Health risks and replacement therapy

Once it has been determined that your symptoms are those of menopause, you will want your physician's assistance to determine whether your newly lowered estrogen level will increase your risks for health problems such as osteoporosis or heart disease.

If it is determined that your risks are increased, you may wish to begin estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). These treatments have their pros and cons, and should be discussed carefully with a health care provider before making a decision. You will want to take into consideration such things as age, race, family and personal health history. If you have had certain types of cancer or liver disease, for instance, you should not take estrogen.

Regular exercise and calcium supplements may prove to be a better way to prevent osteoporosis in some cases.

Other than dealing with the side effects of menopause, life should continue pretty much as it did before. Continue to use birth control if you do not wish to become pregnant until you have been assured by a doctor that you can no longer conceive.

Many women find that post-menopausal life (approximately one year after their last period) is liberating because there is no longer a need to be concerned about pregnancy or menstruation -- and there is more time to focus attention on new areas of health and well-being.

A new beginning

Whatever we do, it's important to remember that menopause is not the end of our lives. For many women, it's the beginning of a new life -- one that is free from concerns about pregnancy and what others might think of us.These are the prime years of our lives and full of opportunities for us to enrich our personal relationships, learn new skills, develop new hobbies and if we wish, redefine who we are and how we contribute to the world around us.

RELATEDS AT :

Menopause
Menopause
Long-Term Effects of Menopause

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RELATED SITES:

Message Board: Women's Health Place: Menopause Forum
Chat Room: Menopause and Nutrition

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