Misconceptions:

Menopause isn’t the end of your youth or sexuality and today, unlike several generations ago, as much as half of a woman’s life is after menopause. Menopause is not a disease or illness or even a single event. Rather, it is a natural biological process that is a transitional period that can start in your 30s and 40s and last into your 50s and even 60s. Hormonal, physical and psychosocial changes happen a few years before menopause. These changes are associated with certain signs and symptoms of menopause. Menopause eventually occurs once you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

Causes:

Menopause happens when the ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation but as a woman enters her late 30s into her 40s, this process slows down as menopause approaches. Menopause is divided into the following two stages:

1. Perimenopause. Although in this stage you are still ovulating, menopausal symptoms start to occur. Your estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall unevenly and you may experience any and all of the symptoms listed below. This is a normal process leading to menopause and may last four to five years or longer.
2. Postmenopause. Once 12 months have passed since your last menstrual cycle, you have reached menopause. The years after menopause are called postmenopause. During these years your ovaries produce much less estrogen and progesterone and don’t release eggs.

Signs and Symptoms:

Menopause is experienced differently for every woman and even the age can vary. Some woman start menopause in their 30s or 40s while some don’t begin it until their 60s. The average age for occurrence is ages 45-55.

Signs and symptoms vary on the individual as does the amount of time they last.  Some of the typical physical and emotional changes include the following:

1. Irregular periods. A woman’s menstrual cycle becomes unpredictable and it may stop suddenly or gradually get lighter or heavier then stop. This may be the first sign that menopause is approaching.
2. Decreased fertility. A woman’s rate of ovulation fluctuates and her ability to get pregnant decreases. However, until a woman fails to have her period for a year, getting pregnant is still a possibility.
3. Vaginal and urinary changes. As estrogen levels decrease, the tissues lining the vagina or urethra become drier and less elastic. This occurrence can cause itching, burning, an increased risk for a urinary tract infection, and uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse. Also, more frequent and/or urgent urination can occur along with urinary incontinence.
4. Hot flashes. As estrogen levels drop, your blood vessels expand rapidly, causing the skin temperature to rise. When this happens, a feeling of warmth moves upward from the chest, to the neck and to the head. Your face may become red blotchy, and flushed, and you might sweat. When sweat evaporates from the skin, it causes the feeling of being chilled, weak and slightly faint. Hot flashes can last from 30 seconds, several minutes, or longer. They can happen any time of the night or day and last up to a year or more depending upon the individual.
5. Sleep disturbances and night sweats. Night sweats often are an effect of hot flashes. You are awakened from your sleep sweating heavily, followed by feeling chilled. Sometimes you may have problems falling back asleep or difficulty achieving a deep sleep. This lack of restful sleep can have negative effects on your overall health and well-being.
6. Changes in appearance. Another part of the menopausal transition includes gaining weight, on average about five pounds. Fat that once was distributed on your hips and thighs may settle above the waist or in the abdomen. Other physical changes can include a loss of fullness in your breasts, thinning hair, wrinkles in the skin, and adult acne. The male hormone testosterone, even as estrogen levels drops, is produced in small amounts, results in the development of coarse hair on the chin, upper lip, chest, and abdomen.
7. Emotional and cognitive changes. As hormones fluctuate, you may experience irritability, fatigue, decreased memory, and decreased ability to concentrate.

Source: Mayo Clinic.com.