- The time that occurs before a woman has hit menopause is considered premenopause. A woman's attitude may noticeably begin to change. For instance, a woman may suffer extreme mood swings or be irritated by the simplest things. With premenopause, the mixed and changing emotions of a woman often can lead to depression. If depression occurs, a woman should consult a physician or a counselor to help her deal with the life changes she is experiencing.
- When a woman goes through menopause, she will no longer have a menstrual period or cycle. The menopause process is complete when a woman has not had her menstrual cycle for a full year. Puberty is when a girl will experience her first menstrual period, whereas with menopause she will experience her last menstrual period. When a woman experiences puberty, her body is preparing her to bear children. Menopause does the complete opposite, it prevents a woman from bearing a child.
- During menopause, a woman's body will produce fewer hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. These low hormone levels often can lead a woman to have hot flashes, thin bones or vaginal dryness. A woman may undergo hormone therapy to help with these issues, but she should consult with a physician or nurse prior to using hormone therapy due to the health risks. Some of the health risks include blood clots, strokes, breast cancer and gall-bladder disease. Hormone therapy should only be taken for a short period of time.
- The process of menopause can take several years. Centuries ago, menopause was experienced by women ages 45 to 55, an average of 51 years of age. Nowadays a woman may typically experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 60. There are cases when women may experience menopause before the age of 40, but these cases are considered rare. Going through menopause at a young age is typically caused by disease, illnesses or surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy.
- A woman who has a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure that removes all or some of the reproductive organs, will experience instant menopause. There are various reasons a woman may need to have a hysterectomy, including fibroids on the uterus, cancer, pelvic pain, uterine prolapse or endometriosis.
