T.J. Samson | Destination Health | August 2018

August 2018 5 Women’s health Menopause means the end of the reproductive years for women and the beginning of being period-free. Menopause 101 Lifestyle changes and medica- tions, such as hormone therapy and antidepressants, can help relieve symptoms. Good health before and after menopause is important. Hormone changes make women more vulnera- ble to weight gain, osteoporosis and heart disease. Be sure to exercise regularly, eat healthy, get enough calcium and vitamin D, and have regular checkups. Women’s periods end when their ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen. Menopause occurs when a woman has missed periods for 12 months in a row. For most women, menopause happens between the ages of 40 and 58. The average age is 51. Estrogen levels begin to shift in the years leading up to menopause, which causes a change in menstrual cycles. This time is called perimenopause . It can last four to eight years. Periods may become longer or shorter, lighter or heavier. Women may also skip a period. 51 When it happens The lead-up to menopause How menopause feels Menopause self-care The most common symptom is hot flashes—when heat overtakes the face and upper body. It can cause sweating, red skin and a fast heartbeat, followed by a cold chill. Hot flashes can last a few seconds or several minutes. They can hap- pen several times a day or a few times a month. Hot flashes that occur during sleep are called night sweats. It’s a myth that menopause causes irritability. But dealing with hot flashes and night sweats can make anyone testy. Other symptoms include vaginal dryness and urinary tract infections. 4-8 years