[What is Menopause?]

[Symptoms]

[Healthy Menopause]

[Treatment]

[Support]

[Resources]

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

Menopause is an event that occurs as a woman reaches middle age. Many changes occur when you reach menopause. These changes may be easier to deal with if you know what to expect. As a woman with a disability, you may find other changes during this time. If you notice a change in your symptoms, such as more fatigue, talk to your doctor or nurse about this change.

Here is a list of terms that may help you to better understand and talk to others about menopause.

Menopause:

• is the normal end of menstrual periods in mid-life, sometimes called the "change of life".

• once you have not had a menstrual period for 12 months, you are in menopause.

• occurs when levels of the hormone FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) reach a certain level.

Menopause can occur as early as age 35, and as late as 59; the average age for women in the United States is 51. Women who smoke can go through it as much as 2 years sooner. If a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40, it is said to be early. The age and nature of menopause tend to be similar among mothers and their daughters.

Perimenopause:

• also called "the climacteric"
   
• the time leading up to menopause, usually begins when a woman reaches her late 30s or early 40s. This is a time when levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are changing. This can cause a variety of symptoms, especially hot flashes.

• the hormone changes that occur eventually cause the ovaries to stop releasing eggs and menstrual periods stop. For most women this is a gradual change-- up to 10 years. For some women, it occurs suddenly.
  

Postmenopause:

• the time from menopause (12 months after the last period) to older adulthood.
  

Surgical menopause:

• occurs when a woman's ovaries are removed (commonly called a hysterectomy), or

• when the ovaries have been exposed to radiation or chemotherapy, causing them to quit working.

Some women in their late 30s have long stretches of time with no periods. This is called "stress menopause."

In 1900 the average woman only lived to be 50 years old. In contrast, a woman today can expect to live one third of her life after menopause. This includes women with disabilities. Thus, it is important to think about health issues related to menopause.

Some women are glad to reach menopause because their concerns about periods and worries about pregnancy or birth control are over. Others may see it as an end to their ability to have children or a sure sign they are aging. There are also many myths about menopause that might cause a woman to worry.

There are health issues that go along with menopause. As a woman with a disability, you will want to understand what effect menopause may have on your disability.

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12/02/2003 06:08 PM