Professional Opinion: What are the signs of menopause and when does it start?
This week, Dr. Ardra Davis-Tolbert, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Riverside Women's Care and a member of the medical staff at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, discusses the symptoms of menopause.
Question: I've heard some family members talking about menopause. When does this typically start and what are the signs to look for?
Answer: There has never been a day at work when the word "menopause" was not mentioned. Sometimes a patient will ask a question but more often than not, I approach the subject matter.
It is one of the conditions in life that every single woman will face if she lives long enough but often times the least understood by women.
Some women are embarrassed to talk about what they are going through. Some feel as if they are the only ones going through the condition. I am taking this opportunity to empower women to embrace this transition and realize youare not alone.
Menopause is defined as a time when a woman's ovaries permanently stop producing the hormone estrogen. This manifests as 12 months without a period. The average age of menopause is 51. Women can go into menopause as early as their late 30s but as far out as their late 50s.
The permanent loss of estrogen causes certain symptoms as well as increasing the risk of other chronic medical conditions.
One thing is for sure -- every woman's transition into menopause can be different. This is one chapter in your life that only you can write.
On a rare occasion, I will meet someone who transitioned into menopause with no symptoms. As estrogen levels decrease, most women will begin to experience things such as hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, becoming more emotional, a decrease interest in sex and vaginal dryness.
The number one symptom is usually hot flashes. Hot flashes are core-body temperature surges that mostly affect the upper body and face.
Hot flashes can be accompanied by visual perspiration, or sweating. They can last from seconds to minutes and can occur up to multiple times a day. When they occur during the night, we refer to these as night sweats. The symptoms of menopause can begin years before a woman actually reaches menopause by definition.
The chronic medical conditions associated with menopause are osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The hormone estrogen improves bone health. As estrogen levels decrease, bone strength can decline rapidly.
Osteoporosis is when bones become brittle and more susceptible to breaking, especially after falls. The bones most likely to be affected are the hips, wrists and spine.
Cardiovascular disease includes heart attack and stroke. A woman's risk of cardiovascular disease can increase with age based on many other risks factors, but the loss of estrogen is a known risk factor as well.
Unfortunately, these conditions do not come with symptoms or warning. The only way to know if menopause is escalating these chronic conditions is by being assessed through exams, laboratory data and bone density scans.
As a gynecologist, my job is to facilitate a woman's transition through all phases of her life, including menopause.
Remember, you will write your own chapter. My job is to empower you and keep you healthy. Hold on and enjoy the ride.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
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This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Professional Opinion: What are the signs of menopause and when does it start?."