Postmenopause

What is postmenopause?

The term "postmenopause" refers to the time after a woman has experienced 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.

Some key things to know about postmenopause:

• It typically begins in a woman's late 40s or early 50s, but can occur earlier or later for some women. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51.


• During postmenopause, a woman's ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This leads to changes like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and loss of bone density.


• The years leading up to postmenopause are known as perimenopause. This transitional time can last several years and is marked by irregular periods and bothersome symptoms.


• Hormone therapy may be an option to help manage difficult symptoms like hot flashes. However, hormones come with certain health risks that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.


• It's important for postmenopausal women to focus on healthy lifestyle measures to keep bones, heart, and other areas of health strong after reproductive years. These include regular exercise, proper calcium and vitamin D intake, and not smoking.

Some frequently asked questions about life after menopause:

Can you still get pregnant during postmenopause?

No, pregnancy is not possible after postmenopause. The ending of a woman's reproductive years and ovarian function means no more eggs are being released for fertilization.

What symptoms are common during the postmenopausal years?

Many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness or discomfort, trouble sleeping, and emotional changes. Others may struggle with weight gain, bladder issues, and loss of bone mass over time leading to osteoporosis. Lifestyle measures can help manage many symptoms.

Try Balance Hormone Institute for Individualized Hormone Therapy Management

As you navigate the changes of postmenopause, the caring medical team at Balance Hormone Institute is here to help. We specialize in customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help relieve troublesome symptoms when appropriate. Contact us today to ask about tailoring a hormone plan just for you! We'll carefully evaluate your situation and only recommend treatment when we believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Feel your best again!