Postmenopause is the stage that begins one year after a woman's last menstrual period. It signals the end of a woman's reproductive years.
The time leading up to postmenopause is called perimenopause. This transitional stage can last 4-5 years on average. During perimenopause, a woman's body makes less estrogen and progesterone. These changing hormone levels cause symptoms like:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes
- Trouble sleeping
- Irregular periods
Once a woman has gone 12 straight months without a period, she has reached
menopause. The one year mark after menopause is the beginning of
postmenopause.
In postmenopause, symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats tend to decrease for most women. However, some symptoms may persist or even get worse over time if left untreated, including:
- Vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse
- Urinary tract infections
- Bone loss (osteoporosis)
- Heart disease risk
The dip in estrogen during postmenopause also leads to changes like:
- Thinning hair and skin
- Weight gain
- Slowed metabolism
- Loss of breast fullness
So in summary - postmenopause refers to the stage starting one year after a woman's final period, marking the end of menopausal transition. There are bothersome symptoms associated with this natural transition. But the good news is postmenopausal women can take steps to reduce symptoms, manage health risks, and continue thriving in their 50s and beyond at places like Rejuvenate Clinic!