Menopause: Age, Stages, Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

Menopause: Menopause is the point when you no longer have menstrual periods. At this stage, your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and ... ThinkyoumayhaveCOVID-19? Findoutwhereyoucangettested Needavaccineorbooster? Nowschedulingforages6monthsandup ComingtoaClevelandCliniclocation? Visitationandmaskrequirements Home / HealthLibrary / Disease&Conditions Menopause Menopauseoccurswhenyouhavegone12consecutivemonthswithoutamenstrualperiod.Changinglevelsofestrogenandprogesterone,twofemalehormonesmadeintheovaries,leadtosymptomslikehotflashesandvaginaldryness.Menopauseisanaturalpartofagingandmarkstheendofthefemalereproductiveyears. Appointments216.444.6601 Appointments&Locations RequestanAppointment HaveMyBabyatClevelandClinic Overview SymptomsandCauses DiagnosisandTests ManagementandTreatment Outlook/Prognosis LivingWith FrequentlyAskedQuestions Menopause Overview SymptomsandCauses DiagnosisandTests ManagementandTreatment Outlook/Prognosis LivingWith FrequentlyAskedQuestions BackToTop Overview Whatismenopause? Menopauseisastageinlifewhenyoustophavingyourmonthlyperiod.It’sanormalpartofagingandmarkstheendofyourfertile,reproductiveyears.Menopausetypicallyoccursinyourlate40stoearly50s.However,peoplewhohavetheirovariessurgicallyremovedundergo"sudden"surgicalmenopause. Whydoesmenopausehappen? Naturalmenopause—menopausethat’snotcausedbysurgeryoranothermedicalcondition—isanormalpartofaging.Menopauseisdefinedasacompleteyearwithoutmenstrualbleeding,intheabsenceofanysurgeryormedicalconditionthatmaycausebleedingtoartificiallystopsuchashormonalbirthcontrol,overactivethyroid,highprolactin,radiationorsurgicalremovaloftheovaries. Asyouage,thereproductivecyclebeginstoslowdownandpreparestostop.Thiscyclehasbeencontinuouslyfunctioningsincepuberty.Asmenopausenears,yourovariesmakelessofahormonecalledestrogen.Whenthisdecreaseoccurs,yourmenstrualcycle(period)startstochange.Itcanbecomeirregularandthenstop.Physicalchangescanalsohappenasyourbodyadaptstodifferentlevelsofhormones.Thesymptomsyouexperienceduringeachstageofmenopause(perimenopause,menopauseandpostmenopause)areallpartofyourbody’sadjustmenttothesechanges. Howlongdoesmenopauselast? Menopauseisapointintimewhenyou'vegone12consecutivemonthswithoutamenstrualcycle.Thetimebeforemenopausecanlasteightto10years(perimenopause).Thetimeaftermenopause(postmenopause)willlastuntiltheendofyourlife.TheaverageageofmenopauseintheUnitedStatesisapproximately51yearsold. Whathormonalchangeshappenduringmenopause? Thetraditionalchangeswethinkofas"menopause"happenwhenyourovariesnolongerproducehighlevelsofhormones.Theovariesarethereproductiveglandsthatstoreeggsandreleasethemintothefallopiantubes.Theyalsoproducethefemalehormonesestrogenandprogesteroneaswellastestosterone.Together,estrogenandprogesteronecontrolmenstruation.Estrogenalsoinfluenceshowyourbodyusescalciumandmaintainscholesterollevelsintheblood. Asmenopausenears,yourovariesnolongerreleaseeggsintothefallopiantubes,andyou’llhaveyourlastmenstrualcycle. Howdoesnaturalmenopauseoccur? Naturalmenopauseisthepermanentendingofmenstruationthatisnotbroughtonbyanytypeofmedicaltreatment.Forpeopleundergoingnaturalmenopause,theprocessisgradualandisdescribedinthreestages: Perimenopauseor"menopausetransition":Perimenopausecanbegineightto10yearsbeforemenopausewhentheovariesgraduallyproducelessestrogen.Itusuallystartswhenyou'reinyour40s.Perimenopauselastsupuntilmenopause,thepointwhentheovariesstopreleasingeggs.Inthelastonetotwoyearsofperimenopause,thedropinestrogenaccelerates.Atthisstage,manypeoplemayexperiencemenopausesymptoms.Butyouarestillhavingmenstrualcyclesduringthistimeandcangetpregnant. Menopause:Menopauseisthepointwhenyounolongerhavemenstrualperiods.Atthisstage,yourovarieshavestoppedreleasingeggsandproducingmostoftheirestrogen.Menopauseisdiagnosedwhenyou'vegonewithoutamenstrualperiodfor12consecutivemonths. Postmenopause:Thisisthenamegiventothetimeafteryouhavenothadaperiodforanentireyear(therestofyourlifeaftergoingthroughmenopause).Duringthisstage,menopausalsymptoms,suchashotflashes,mayeaseformanypeople.However,somepeoplecontinuetoexperiencemenopausalsymptomsforadecadeorlongerafterthemenopausetransition.Asaresultofalowerlevelofestrogen,thoseinthepostmenopausalphaseareatincreasedriskforseveralhealthconditions,suchasosteoporosisandheartdisease. Whatisprematuremenopause? Menopause,whenitoccursbetweentheagesof45and55,isconsidered"natural"andisanormalpartofaging.But,somepeoplecanexperiencemenopauseearly,eitherasaresultofsurgicalintervention(likeremovaloftheovaries)ordamagetotheovaries(suchasfromchemotherapyorradiation).Menopausethatoccursbeforetheageof45iscalledearlymenopause.Menopausethatoccursat40oryoungerisconsideredprematuremenopause.Whentherethisnomedicalorsurgicalcauseforprematuremenopauseit'scalledprimaryovarianinsufficiency. SymptomsandCauses Whatarethesymptomsofmenopause? Youmaybetransitioningintomenopauseifyoubeginexperiencingsomeorallofthefollowingsymptoms: Hotflashes(asuddenfeelingofwarmththatspreadsoverthebody). Nightsweatsand/orcoldflashes. Vaginaldryness;discomfortduringsex. Urinaryurgency(apressingneedtourinatemorefrequently). Difficultysleeping(insomnia). Emotionalchanges(irritability,moodswings,milddepression). Dryskin,dryeyesordrymouth. Peoplewhoarestillinthemenopausetransition(perimenopause)mayalsoexperience: Breasttenderness. Worseningofpremenstrualsyndrome(PMS). Irregularperiodsorskippingperiods. Periodsthatareheavierorlighterthanusual. Somepeoplemightalsoexperience: Racingheart. Headaches. Jointandmuscleachesandpains. Changesinlibido(sexdrive). Difficultyconcentrating,memorylapses(oftentemporary). Weightgain. Hairlossorthinning. Thesesymptomscanbeasignthattheovariesareproducinglessestrogenorasignofincreasedfluctuationsinhormonelevels.Notallpeoplegetallofthesesymptoms.However,thoseaffectedwithnewsymptomsofracingheart,urinarychanges,headachesorothernewmedicalproblemsshouldmakesurethereisnoothercauseforthesesymptoms. WhatarehotflashesandhowlongwillIhavethem? Hotflashesareoneofthemostfrequentsymptomsofmenopause.It'sabriefsensationofheat.Hotflashesaren’tthesameforeveryoneandthere’snodefinitivereasonthattheyhappen.Asidefromtheheat,hotflashescanalsocomewith: Ared,flushedface. Sweating. Achilledfeelingaftertheheat. Hotflashesnotonlyfeeldifferentforeachperson,buttheyalsocanlastforvariousamountsoftime.Somepeopleonlyhavehotflashesforashortperiodoftimeduringmenopause.Otherscanhavesomekindofhotflashfortherestoftheirlife.Typically,hotflashesarelesssevereastimegoeson.Theintensity,frequencyanddurationofhotflashesdifferforeachindividual. Whattriggersahotflash? Therearequiteafewnormalthingsinyourdailylifethatcouldsetoffahotflash.Somethingstolookoutforinclude: Caffeine. Smoking. Spicyfoods. Alcohol. Tightclothing. Stressandanxiety. Hotweather. Canmenopausecausefacialhairgrowth? Yes,increasedfacialhairgrowthcanbeachangerelatedtomenopause.Thehormonalchangeyourbodygoesthroughduringmenopausecanresultinseveralphysicalchangestoyourbody,includingmorefacialhairthanyoumayhavehadinthepast.Thisiscausedbytestosteronebeingrelativelyhigherthanestrogen.Iffacialhairbecomesaproblemforyou,waxingorusingotherhairremoversmaybeoptions. Ishavingahardtimeconcentratingandbeingforgetfulanormalpartofmenopause? Unfortunately,concentrationandminormemoryproblemscanbeanormalpartofmenopause.Thoughthisdoesn’thappentoeveryone,itcanhappen.Ifyou’rehavingmemoryproblemsduringmenopause,callyourhealthcareprovider.Severalactivitieshavebeenshowntostimulatethebrainandhelprejuvenateyourmemory.Theseactivitiescaninclude: Doingcrosswordpuzzlesandothermentallystimulatingactivitieslikereadinganddoingmathproblems. CuttingbackonpassiveactivitieslikewatchingTV. Gettingplentyofexercise. Keepinmindthatdepressionandanxietycanalsoimpactyourmemory.Theseconditionscanbelinkedtomenopause. Canmenopausecausedepression? Yourbodygoesthroughalotofchangesduringmenopause.Thereareextremeshiftsinyourhormonelevels,youmaynotsleepwellbecauseofhotflashesandyoumayexperiencemoodswings.Anxietyandfearcouldalsobeatplayduringthistime.Allofthesefactorscanleadtodepression. Ifyouexperienceanyofthesymptomsofdepression,talktoyourhealthcareprovider.Duringyourconversation,yourproviderwilltellyouaboutdifferenttypesoftreatmentandchecktomakesurethereisn’tanothermedicalconditioncausingyourdepression.Thyroidproblemscansometimesbethecauseofdepression. Arethereanyotheremotionalchangesthatcanhappenduringmenopause? Menopausecancauseavarietyofemotionalchanges,including: Alossofenergyandinsomnia. Alackofmotivationanddifficultyconcentrating. Anxiety,depression,moodchangesandtension. Headaches. Aggressivenessandirritability. Alloftheseemotionalchangescanhappenoutsideofmenopause.Youhaveprobablyexperiencedsomeofthemthroughoutyourlife.Managingemotionalchangesduringmenopausecanbedifficult,butitispossible.Yourhealthcareprovidermaybeabletoprescribeamedicationtohelpyou(hormonetherapyoranantidepressant).Itmayalsohelptojustknowthatthereisanametothefeelingsyouareexperiencing.Supportgroupsandcounselingareusefultoolswhendealingwiththeseemotionalchangesduringmenopause. Howdoesmenopauseaffectmybladdercontrol? Unfortunately,bladdercontrolissues(alsocalledurinaryincontinence)arecommonforpeoplegoingthroughmenopause.Thereareseveralreasonswhythishappens,including: Estrogen.Thishormoneplaysseveralrolesinyourbody.Itnotonlycontrolsyourperiodandpromoteschangesinyourbodyduringpregnancy,estrogenalsokeepstheliningofyourbladderandurethrahealthy. Pelvicfloormuscles.Theysupporttheorgansinyourpelvis—yourbladderanduterus.Throughoutyourlife,thesemusclescanweaken.Thiscanhappenduringpregnancy,childbirthandfromweightgain.Whenthemusclesweaken,youcanexperienceurinaryincontinence(leakage). Specificbladdercontrolproblemsthatyoumighthavecaninclude: Stressincontinence(leakagewhenyoucough,sneezeorliftsomethingheavy). Urgeincontinence(leakagebecauseyourbladdersqueezesatthewrongtime). Painfulurination(discomforteachtimeyouurinate). Nocturia(feelingtheneedtogetupinthenighttourinate). WillIstartmenopauseifIhaveahysterectomy? Duringahysterectomy,youruterusisremoved.Youwon’thaveaperiodafterthisprocedure.However,ifyoukeptyourovaries(removalofyourovariesiscalledanoophorectomy)youmaynothavesymptomsofmenopauserightaway.Ifyourovariesarealsoremoved,youwillhavesymptomsofmenopauseimmediately. DiagnosisandTests Howismenopausediagnosed? Thereareseveralwaysyourhealthcareprovidercandiagnosemenopause.Thefirstisdiscussingyourmenstrualcycleoverthelastyear.Menopauseisuniqueinthatitisdiagnosedafterthefact.Ifyouhavegoneafullyear(12straightmonths)withoutaperiod,youhaveenteredmenopauseandmaybepostmenopausal. ManagementandTreatment Canmenopausebetreated? Menopauseisanaturalprocessthatyourbodygoesthrough.Insomecases,youmaynotneedanytreatmentformenopause.Whendiscussingtreatmentformenopausewithyourprovider,it’sabouttreatingthesymptomsofmenopausethatdisruptyourlife.Therearemanydifferenttypesoftreatmentsforthesymptomsofmenopause.Themaintypesoftreatmentformenopauseare: Hormonetherapy. Non-hormonaltreatments. It'simportanttotalktoyourhealthcareproviderwhileyouaregoingthroughmenopausetocraftatreatmentplanthatworksforyou.Everypersonisdifferentandhasuniqueneeds. Whatishormonetherapyformenopauselike? Duringmenopause,yourbodygoesthroughmajorhormonalchanges,decreasingtheamountofhormonesitmakes,particularlyestrogenandprogesterone.Estrogenandprogesteroneareproducedbytheovaries.Whenyourovariesnolongermakeenoughestrogenandprogesterone,hormonetherapycanbeusedasasupplement.Hormonetherapyboostsyourhormonelevelsandcanhelprelievesomesymptomsofmenopause.It’salsousedasapreventativemeasureforosteoporosis. Therearetwomaintypesofhormonetherapy: Estrogentherapy(ET):Inthistreatment,estrogenistakenalone.It’stypicallyprescribedinalowdoseandcanbetakenasapillorpatch.ETcanalsobegiventoyouasacream,vaginalring,gelorspray.Thistypeoftreatmentisusedafterahysterectomy.Estrogenalonecan’tbeusedifyoustillhaveauterus. EstrogenProgesterone/ProgestinHormoneTherapy(EPT):Thistreatmentisalsocalledcombinationtherapybecauseitusesdosesofestrogenandprogesterone.Progesteroneisavailableinitsnaturalform,oralsoasaprogestin(asyntheticformofprogesterone).Thistypeofhormonetherapyisusedifyoustillhaveyouruterus. Hormonetherapycanrelievemanyofthesymptomsofmenopause,including: Hotflashesandnightsweats. Vaginaldryness. Irritabilityandmoodswings. Hairloss. Arethereanyriskstohormonetherapy? Likemostprescribedmedications,therearerisksforhormonetherapy.Someknownhealthrisksinclude: Endometrialcancer(onlyincreasedifyoustillhaveyouruterusandarenottakingprogestintogetherwiththeestrogen). Gallstonesandgallbladderissues. Bloodclots. Deepveinthrombosis. Pulmonaryembolism. Stroke. Theserisksarelowerifyoustarthormonetherapywithin10yearsofmenopause.Afterthatpoint,yourriskforcardiovasculardiseasesishigher. Acorrelationexistsbetweenseverehotflashesandnightsweatsandyourriskforcardiovasculardisease.Healthcareprovidersmaysuggeststartinghormonetherapyifyouhavetheseseveresymptomssinceit'sanindicatorforfuturecardiovascularrisk. Goingonhormonetherapyisanindividualizeddecision.Discussallpastmedicalconditionsandyourfamilyhistorywithyourhealthcareprovidertounderstandtherisksversusbenefitsofhormonetherapyforyou. Whatarenon-hormonaltherapiesformenopause? Thoughhormonetherapyisaveryeffectivemethodforrelievingmenopausesymptoms,it’snottheperfecttreatmentforeveryone.Non-hormonaltreatmentsincludechangestoyourdietandlifestyle.Thesetreatmentsareoftengoodoptionsforpeoplewhohaveothermedicalconditionsorhaverecentlybeentreatedforbreastcancer.Themainnon-hormonaltreatmentsthatyourprovidermayrecommendinclude: Changingyourdiet. Avoidingtriggerstohotflashes. Exercising. Joiningsupportgroups. Prescriptionmedications. Diet Sometimeschangingyourdietcanhelprelievemenopausesymptoms.Limitingtheamountofcaffeineyouconsumeeverydayandcuttingbackonspicyfoodscanmakeyourhotflasheslesssevere.Youcanalsoaddfoodsthatcontainplantestrogenintoyourdiet.Plantestrogen(isoflavones)isn’tareplacementfortheestrogenmadeinyourbodybeforemenopause.Foodstotryinclude: Soybeans. Chickpeas. Lentils. Flaxseed. Grains. Beans. Fruits. Vegetables. Avoidingtriggerstohotflashes Certainthingsinyourdailylifecouldbetriggersforhotflashes.Tohelprelieveyoursymptoms,tryandidentifythesetriggersandworkaroundthem.Thiscouldincludekeepingyourbedroomcoolatnight,wearinglayersofclothing,orquittingsmoking.Weightlosscanalsohelpwithhotflashes. Exercising Workingoutcanbedifficultifyouaredealingwithhotflashes,butexercisingcanhelprelieveseveralothersymptomsofmenopause.Exercisecanhelpyousleepthroughthenightandisrecommendedifyouhaveinsomnia.Calm,tranquiltypesofexerciselikeyogacanalsohelpwithyourmoodandrelieveanyfearsoranxietyyoumaybefeeling. Joiningsupportgroups Talkingtootherpeoplewhoarealsogoingthroughmenopausecanbeagreatreliefformany.Joiningasupportgroupcannotonlygiveyouanoutletforthemanyemotionsrunningthroughyourhead,butalsohelpyouanswerquestionsyoumaynotevenknowyouhave. Prescriptionmedications Prescriptionmedicationssuchasestrogentherapy(estrogeninacream,gelorpill),birthcontrolpillsandantidepressants(SSRIsandSNRIs)canhelpmanagesymptomsofmenopauselikemoodswingsandhotflashes.Prescriptionvaginalcreamscanhelprelievevaginaldryness.Aseizuremedicationcalledgabapentinhasbeenshowntorelievehotflashes.Speakwithyourhealthcareprovidertoseeifnon-hormonalmedicationscouldworkformanagingyoursymptoms. Outlook/Prognosis CanIgetpregnantduringmenopause? Thepossibilityofpregnancydisappearsonceyouarepostmenopausal,youhavebeenwithoutyourperiodforanentireyear(assumingthereisnoothermedicalconditionforthelackofmenstrualbleeding).However,youcangetpregnantduringthemenopausetransition(perimenopause).Ifyoudon’twanttobecomepregnant,youshouldcontinuetousesomeformofbirthcontroluntilyouhavegonefullythroughmenopause.Askyourhealthcareproviderbeforeyoustopusingcontraception. Forsomepeople,gettingpregnantcanbedifficultoncethey’reintheirlate30sand40sbecauseofadeclineinfertility.However,ifbecomingpregnantisthegoal,therearefertility-enhancingtreatmentsandtechniquesthatcanhelpyougetpregnant.Makesuretospeaktoyourhealthcareproviderabouttheseoptions. Whatarethelong-termhealthrisksassociatedwithmenopause? Thereareseveralconditionsthatyoucouldbeatahigherriskofaftermenopause.Yourriskforanyconditiondependsonmanythingslikeyourfamilyhistory,yourhealthbeforemenopauseandlifestylefactors(smoking).Twoconditionsthataffectyourhealthaftermenopauseareosteoporosisandcoronaryarterydisease. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis,a"brittle-bone"disease,occurswhentheinsideofbonesbecomelessdense,makingthemmorefragileandlikelytofracture.Estrogenplaysanimportantroleinpreservingbonemass.Estrogensignalscellsinthebonestostopbreakingdown. Peopleloseanaverageof25%oftheirbonemassfromthetimeofmenopausetoage60.Thisislargelybecauseofthelossofestrogen.Overtime,thislossofbonecanleadtobonefractures.Yourhealthcareprovidermaywanttotestthestrengthofyourbonesovertime.Bonemineraldensitytesting,alsocalledbonedensitometry,isaquickwaytoseehowmuchcalciumyouhaveincertainpartsofyourbones.Thetestisusedtodetectosteoporosisandosteopenia.Osteopeniaisadiseasewherebonedensityisdecreasedandthiscanbeaprecursortolaterosteoporosis. Ifyouhaveosteoporosisorosteopenia,yourtreatmentoptionscouldincludeestrogentherapy. Coronaryarterydisease Coronaryarterydiseaseisthenarrowingorblockageofarteriesthatsurroundtheheartmuscle.Thishappenswhenfattyplaquebuildsupinthearterywalls(knownasatherosclerosis).Thisbuildupisassociatedwithhighlevelsofcholesterolintheblood.Aftermenopause,yourriskforcoronaryarterydiseaseincreasesbecauseofseveralthings,including: Thelossofestrogen(thishormonealsocontributestohealthyarteries). Increasedbloodpressure. Adecreaseinphysicalactivity. Badhabitsfromyourpastcatchingupwithyou(smokingorexcessivedrinking). Ahealthydiet,notsmokingandgettingregularexerciseareyourbestoptionstopreventheartdisease.Treatingelevatedbloodpressureanddiabetesaswellasmaintainingcholesterollevelswithmedicationsforselectedat-riskpeoplearethestandardsofcare. Willhormonetherapyhelppreventlong-termhealthrisks? Thebenefitsandrisksofhormonetherapyvarydependingonawoman’sageandherindividualhistory.Ingeneral,youngerpeopleintheir50stendtogetmorebenefitsfromhormonetherapyascomparedtothosewhoarepostmenopausalintheir60s.Peoplewhoundergoprematuremenopauseareoftentreatedwithhormonetherapyuntilage50toavoidtheincreasedriskthatcomesfromtheextrayearsofestrogenloss. LivingWith Canmenopauseaffectsleep? Somepeoplemayexperiencetroublesleepingthroughthenightandinsomniaduringmenopause.Insomniaisaninabilitytofallasleeporstayasleepatnight.Thiscanbeanormalsideeffectofmenopauseitself,oritcouldbeduetoanothersymptomofmenopause.Hotflashesareacommonculpritofsleeplessnightsduringmenopause. Ifhotflasheskeepyouawakeatnight,try: Stayingcoolatnightbywearinglooseclothing. Keepingyourbedroomwell-ventilated. Avoidingcertainfoodsandbehaviorsthattriggeryourhotflashes.Ifspicyfoodtypicallysetsoffahotflash,avoideatinganythingspicybeforebed. Canmenopauseaffectmysexlife? Aftermenopause,yourbodyhaslessestrogen.Thismajorchangeinyourhormonalbalancecanaffectyoursexlife.Manypeopleexperiencingmenopausemaynoticethatthey’renotaseasilyarousedasbefore.Sometimes,peoplealsomaybelesssensitivetotouchandotherphysicalcontactthanbeforemenopause. Thesefeelings,coupledwiththeotheremotionalchangesyoumaybeexperiencing,canallleadtoadecreasedinterestinsex.Keepinmindthatyourbodyisgoingthroughalotofchangeduringmenopause.Someoftheotherfactorsthatcanplayaroleinadecreasedsexdrivecaninclude: Havingbladdercontrolproblems. Havingtroublesleepingthroughthenight. Experiencingstress,anxietyordepression. Copingwithothermedicalconditionsandmedications. Allofthesefactorscandisruptyourlifeandevencausetensioninyourrelationship.Inadditiontothesechanges,thelowerlevelsofestrogeninyourbodycancauseadecreaseinthebloodsupplytothevagina.Thiscancausedryness.Whenyoudon’thavetherightamountoflubricationinthevagina,itcanbethin,paleanddry.Thiscanleadtopainfulintercourse. Don’tbeafraidtotalktoyourhealthcareprovideraboutanydecreasesyouareexperiencinginyoursexdrive.Yourproviderwilldiscussoptionstohelpyoufeelbetter.Forexample,vaginaldrynesscanbetreatedwithover-the-counter,water-solubleorsiliconelubricants.Yourhealthcareprovidercanalsoprescribeestrogenornonestrogenhormonestotreatthevaginaltissue.Thismaybeprescribedinalow-dosecream,pillorvaginalring. Doallmenopausalpeopleexperienceadecreaseinsexualdesire? Notallpeopleexperienceadecreasedsexualdesire.Insomecases,it’sjusttheopposite.Thiscouldbebecausethere’snolongeranyfearofgettingpregnant.Formany,thisallowsthemtoenjoysexwithoutworryingaboutfamilyplanning. However,it'sstillimportanttouseprotection(condoms)duringsexifnotinamonogamousrelationship.Onceyourdoctormakesthediagnosisofmenopause,youcannolongerbecomepregnant.However,whenyouareinthemenopausetransition(perimenopause),youcanstillbecomepregnant.Youalsoneedtoprotectyourselffromsexuallytransmittedinfections(STIs)bywearingacondom.YoucangetanSTIatanytimeinyourlife(evenifyouarenotgettingaperiod).STIslikeHPV(humanpapillomavirus)canleadtocervicalcancer. WillIstillenjoysexaftermenopause? Youshouldstillbeabletoenjoysexaftermenopause.Sometimes,decreasedsexdriveisrelatedtodiscomfortandpainfulintercourse.Aftertreatingthesourceofthispain(vaginaldryness),manypeopleenjoyintimacyagain.Hormonetherapycanalsohelpmanypeople.Ifyouarehavingdifficultiesenjoyingsexaftermenopause,talktoyourhealthcareprovider. Canmenopausebeapositivetimeoflife? Menopausecancertainlybeapositivetimeoflife.Toooften,mythsfostermisconceptionsaboutthisnormalprocessofaging.Althoughmenopausecancausesomenoticeableanduncomfortablechanges,thesecanbeeffectivelymanaged. FrequentlyAskedQuestions HowdoIknowifI'minmenopause? Youwillknowyouhavereachedmenopausewhenyouhavegone12consecutivemonthswithoutamenstrualperiod.Contactyourhealthcareproviderifyouhaveanytypeofvaginalbleedingaftermenopause.Vaginalbleedingaftermenopausecouldbeasignofamoreserioushealthissuelikeendometrialcancer. CanIhaveanorgasmaftermenopause? Yes,youcanstillhaveanorgasmaftermenopause.Anorgasmmayfeelhardtoachieveonceyouhavereachedmenopause,butthereisnophysicalreasontopreventyoufromhavinganorgasm.Usinglubricantsandincreasingforeplaycanhelpwithdiscomfort.Trytobeopenwithyourpartneraboutyourfeelingsandtalktothemaboutwhatfeelsgood. Domengothroughmenopause? Andropause,ormalemenopause,isatermgiventodescribedecreasingtestosteronelevelsinmen.Testosteroneproductioninmendeclinesmuchmoregraduallythanestrogenproductioninwomenatabout1%peryear.Healthcareprovidersoftendebatecallingthisslowdeclineintestosteronemenopausesinceit’snotasdrasticofahormoneshiftanddoesn'tcarrythesameintensityofsideeffectsasmenopauseinwomen.Somemenwillnotevennoticethechangebecauseithappensovermanyyearsordecades.Othernamesforthemaleversionofmenopauseareage-relatedlowtestosterone,malehypogonadismorandrogendeficiency. CanIgetpregnantifIhavegonethroughmenopause? No,youcan’tgetpregnantaftermenopausebecauseovulationisnolongeroccurring.Onceyouhavegone12monthswithoutaperiod,youareconsideredtohavereachedmenopause. AnotefromClevelandClinic Menopauseisanaturalandnormalpartoftheagingprocess.Onceyouareinmenopause,youhavegone12monthswithoutamenstrualperiod.Itiscommontoexperiencesymptomslikevaginaldrynessandhotflashes.Beopenwithyourhealthcareprovideraboutthesymptomsyou’reexperiencingandhowtheyimpactyourqualityoflife.Theycanrecommendtreatmentstomanageyoursymptomsandmakeyoumorecomfortable. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Getuseful,helpfulandrelevanthealth+wellnessinformation enews ClevelandClinicisanon-profitacademicmedicalcenter.Advertisingonoursitehelpssupportourmission.Wedonotendorsenon-ClevelandClinicproductsorservices. Policy RelatedInstitutes&Services Ob/Gyn&Women'sHealthInstitute ClevelandClinic’sOb/Gyn&Women’sHealthInstituteiscommittedtoprovidingworld-classcareforwomenofallages.Weofferwomen'shealthservices,obstetricsandgynecologythroughoutNortheastOhioandbeyond.WhetherpatientsarereferredtousoralreadyhaveaClevelandClinicob/gyn,weworkcloselywiththemtooffertreatmentrecommendationsandfollow-upcaretohelpyoureceivethebestoutcome. ClevelandClinicisanon-profitacademicmedicalcenter.Advertisingonoursitehelpssupportourmission.Wedonotendorsenon-ClevelandClinicproductsorservices. Policy Morehealthnews+info ShowMore Appointments216.444.6601 Appointments&Locations RequestanAppointment HaveMyBabyatClevelandClinic Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat