What to Expect During Menopause
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Women know that menopause is coming and they have likely seen their aunts, mothers, and other women in their family go through this change. However, knowing what exactly to expect is difficult since every woman is different. It’s similar to childbirth in the fact that while all pregnant women go through the same process the experience is incredibly individual and different for everyone. That’s how menopause is and some women will have a difficult time while others won’t. It’s not fair, but nothing about life seems to be fair!
Menopause is a normal part of the aging process. It signifies the end of menstrual cycles due to the fact that the ovaries are making less and less progesterone and estrogen, which are female hormones. The menstrual cycle is regulated by these hormones so when they are no longer being produced by the body menopause is only natural.
Age of Menopause
Many women start thinking about menopause in their late 30s and wondering when it will happen and when it will start. Although 51 is the average age for menopause it may begin as early as the age of 40 or as late as 59. There are some women who even start “the change” earlier and later than these ages, however that is unusual unless there is an operation or something else going on.
For example, when both ovaries are removed then this is considered a “surgical menopause” however if the ovaries are left in place and only the uterus removed then a surgical menopause does not occur. Women who are 40 or younger who start missing their periods should have a blood test to determine if menopause or something else could be the cause.
Menopause does not occur over night and actually takes place over several years. Menopause is considered to be full fledged after a woman has missed her period for 12 consecutive months. Since women cannot conceive after they have gone through menopause it is important for woman to plan the number of children they want to have and try to conceive them before the age of 40. The older a woman is when she conceives the higher the incidence of disabilities as well as multiple births.
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