Menopause

Menopause

Also known as: Change of life; Climacteric; Hot flashes

Menopause is the cessation of the monthly female menstrual cycle. Women who have not had a menstrual period for a year are considered postmenopausal.

Most commonly, menopause takes place when a woman is in her late forties or early fifties. Women who have gone through menopause are no longer fertile. Menopause is not a disease and cannot be prevented. Many hormonal changes occur during menopause. Postmenopausal women are at higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, presumably because of a decrease in the production of estrogen or other hormones.

Several unpleasant symptoms may accompany menopause. Some, such as vaginal dryness, result from the lack of estrogen. Others, such as hot flashes and decreased sex drive, are caused by more complex hormonal changes. Some women experience depression, anxiety or insomnia during menopause.

Menopause is not a disease—it’s a natural part of life. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Eat soy and flaxseed

    Make foods high in phytoestrogens, such as flaxseed, tofu, soy milk, tempeh and roasted soy nuts, a regular part of your diet

  • Control symptoms with isoflavones

    Supplements containing at least 80 to 100 mg a day of isoflavones from soy or red clover may help control symptoms

  • Cool down with black cohosh

    Some people have found 20 mg of a concentrated herbal extract twice a day relieves hot flashes

  • Find relief with exercise

    Even light aerobic activities can help reduce menopausal symptoms.

  • Quit smoking

    Smokers are more likely to experience hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Read more in our library »

Choose a category above to find details about related Providence services.

Services offered by Providence

Routine gynecology

Take care of yourself. Every woman deserves the specialized attention that a women’s healthcare professional provides. From adolescence through the go More »

From the experts

Ask An Expert: Taking Estrogen for menopausal symptoms

Q: Ever since a hysterectomy, I've taken estrogen to help with menopausal symptoms and to prevent heart disease – my mother died of a heart attack. But I heard about a study that said estrogen doesn't really protect against cardiovascular problems. What's going on?

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Answers to your questions

For some women, menopausal symptoms can be very uncomfortable, leading to loss of sleep, mood swings, hot flashes and diminished sexual satisfaction.

Managing menopause with: Botanical therapies

If you’re interested in trying botanical options for managing menopause, phytoestrogens and black cohosh may be your best bets.

Managing menopause with: Dietary changes

Modifying your diet can significantly improve your menopausal symptoms and decrease your risk of serious disease.

Managing menopause with: Exercise

Women who exercise regularly have fewer menopause symptoms. “Maybe it’s because they get all their sweating done in one fell swoop!” Dr. Ferrier jokes. “We really don’t know why, we just know it works.”

Managing menopause with: Hormonal therapies

For many menopausal women, combined estrogen-progestin therapy remains a reasonable treatment choice, Dr. Ferrier says.

Managing menopause with: Other medications

A variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications may help manage your menopausal symptoms without HRT.

Managing menopause with: Weight control

Weight gain is a common symptom of menopause. It’s frustrating when your old pants no longer fit – but more importantly, increased weight contributes significantly to risk of heart disease.

Managing Menopause: Options beyond HRT

In May 2002, the National Institutes of Health announced that it was halting the arm of it’s Women’s Health Initiative study that measured the effects of combined estrogen-progestin therapy (Prempro).

Recommended Resources

Video presentation- Managing Menopause: Transition with Grace