How to Understand Menopause

Understanding the natural cycle of menopause can help you to accept it, or even embrace it. Menopause represents the end of nearly 40 years of menstruation. Your ovaries have produced an egg cell every month for four decades; at menopause, you have finally run out of eggs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Books On Menopause

1. Understand that your ovaries reach their peak performance in your late twenties. After that, production of your female hormones - estrogen and progesterone - begins to decline.
2. Accept that menopause means the end of fertility and childbearing years. On the bright side this means there is no longer a need for contraceptives, sanitary napkins or tampons.
3. Remember that cessation of ovarian function affects your mind and body in many different ways.
4. Consider that as female hormone production declines, you are at increased risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and depression.
5. Understand that you are considered menopausal one year after you have had your last period. You must have twelve consecutive months without periods before you can be certain you can't become pregnant.
6. Realize the onset of menopause is not related to your race, height, number of children you have had, or whether you use oral contraceptives. The average age of menopause for American women is 51.

Tips & Warnings

• Contrary to what you may perceive from numerous advertising campaigns - menopause is not a disease that requires a cure. It is a natural part of aging.
• You may start menopause two years earlier than you might normally have if you are a smoker.
• For more information about menopause and current research and treatments, call the North American Menopause Society at [phone].
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please be careful and safe.