This stage of life signals the end of a woman’s ability to have children although many healthcare providers actually use the term to refer to the period of time when a woman’s hormone levels start to change. Menopause is said to be complete when menstrual periods have ceased for one continuous year.
At ChristianaCare, we know this time of life can bring up a number of questions and concerns. We are here to help you with the utmost understanding and care to make sure you have all the facts and care, whenever you need it.
Premature menopause may happen when there is ovarian failure before the age of 40. It may be associated with smoking, radiation exposure, chemotherapeutic drugs, or surgery that impairs the ovarian blood supply. Premature ovarian failure is also called primary ovarian insufficiency.
The most common symptoms are vasomotor symptoms (VMS): brief periodic increases in body temperature. For 80% of women, hot flashes occur for 2 years or less, but some may experience them for more than 2 years. A hot flash may cause an increase in a woman’s heart rate. This causes sudden perspiration as the body tries to reduce its temperature and may also be accompanied by heart palpitations and dizziness. Hot flashes that happen at night are called night sweats.
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