Pre-, Peri-, Menopause, and Beyond

I wonder if every woman, is just as confused as I am over the terms used to describe the transition of menopause... I thought I would research these term and see if I can make it easier to understand.

The Climacteric encompasses all of the stages -pre-, peri-, menopause and postmenopause. Some say ' Premenopause' refers to the years when your menstrual cycle is regular. Other provider say " premenopause" is the early years of the climacteric, after the age of 40. "Perimenopause " is defined by most as the stage that last several years on either side of your last menstrual period. Boy, that's confusing!!! "Perimenopause" is when your periods become irregular and when hot flashes may start, around the average age of 45. 'Menopause " means the final end of your menstrual cycle. This can only be accomplished by looking back over your menstrual cycle for the last 12 months. No periods for one year is how others define "menopause"... In other words it is impossible for a woman to know exact moment that she is experiencing menopause. "Postmenopause " the years following menopause. As, you can see these terms can be very very confusing. Best to ask your health care provider his/her meaning of any of the above terms.

I don't think age is a major factor, judging from this chart· . Symptoms are the major factor.

In figure 1, the stages are for women who experience menopause naturally. These are average age stages, however woman can experience premature or late menopause. Premature as early as age 35, and late menopause occurring after the age of 55. Talk to your health care provider about your symptoms not your age.

Women who have had a hysterectomy {uterus is removed and ovaries are left in place}, usually experience menopause five years earlier than they normally would. Women who have had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of uterus and ovaries) go through a different set of changes. Unlike the gradual changes that are experienced during natural menopause, women often have sudden and abrupt drop in hormones and symptoms may be dramatic, both physically and psychologically. They are at risk earlier for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease with surgical menopause.

Remember, we cannot stop the aging process, however we can change how we think about aging. THINK POSITIVE. It's not hot flashes it's POWER SURGES!!!!!

courtesy of OBGYN.net