Menopause FAQs

Q:WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
A: Menopause, often referred to as "the change of life," is the natural transition out of childbearing years. Menopause in women is the reverse of puberty.
Q: WHEN DOES MENOPAUSE USUALLY BEGIN?
A: Menopause symptoms like hot flashes and irregular menstrual cycles can begin for women in their late 30s or early 40s during the perimenopause phase of a woman's life. Natural menopause is typically complete in the late 40s or early 50s.
Q: WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?
A: Perimenopause is the phase before menopause when ovarian hormone production begins to decline and fluctuate. Typically, perimenopause is the period about three or four years before menopause, though some women can begin the perimenopause phase of their life many years before menopause.
Q: WHAT IS SURGICAL MENOPAUSE?
A: Surgical menopause is the term used to describe menopause that happens as the result of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (where both ovaries are removed). Women who begin menopause as the result of surgical intervention often suffer the effects of menopause more drastically than women going through natural menopause. And, the younger the woman is, the more problems she will likely encounter.
Q: CAN A WOMEN BECOME PREGNANT DURING PERIMENOPAUSE?
A: Yes, though pregnancy is less likely since ovulation, when women can conceive, become more irregular. Until a women goes one full year without a period, she should consider herself fertile and continue using birth control methods.