Postmenopause
Postmenopause is the time in a woman's life after she has gone through menopause. Menopause is when a woman stops having her monthly menstrual periods, marking the end of her reproductive years.
The key things to know about postmenopause are:
- It starts 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. This marks the official point when a woman reaches menopause.
- During postmenopause, a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally. Her ovaries have stopped releasing eggs, and her body is producing much less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
- Common symptoms in postmenopause include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and pain during sex
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood changes like depression or anxiety
- There's an increased risk for certain health conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease for women in postmenopause. It's important to talk to your doctor about screening and prevention.
- Managing postmenopause symptoms and risks includes steps like:
- Using fans, layered clothing, and other cooling techniques to help with hot flashes
- Trying water-based lubricants during sex to ease vaginal dryness and discomfort
- Practicing good sleep habits to improve rest
- Doing weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises to maintain bone health
- Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to help prevent osteoporosis
- Quitting smoking and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control to reduce heart disease risk
The duration of postmenopause lasts for the rest of a woman's life after menopause. While symptoms may ease up over time, new health concerns can also crop up with aging. Meeting regularly with your healthcare provider and being proactive about healthy lifestyle choices can help you manage this stage smoothly and comfortably.