There is a lot of misinformation and outdated information about midlife health issues online.
Your doctor wants to make sure that you have current, evidence-based resources to learn more about menopause, so that they can help you make informed decisions about your health.
- Learn terms from a resource that your doctor trusts: Menopause definitions - The Menopause Society
Stages and timing
The body’s transition to menopause—the permanent end of menstruation cycles and fertility—is called “perimenopause.” Some 95% of women (and other individuals with a uterus) experience menopause between 45 to 55 years old, with the average age being 51 years old.
Menopause is the final menstrual period, which can be confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a period. Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation cycles and fertility. It is a natural process.
Some patients experience menopause earlier in life than their peers. About three in 100 women will go through menopause before age 40. This is known as premature menopause, or early menopause.
When menopause naturally occurs before the age of 40, or between ages 40-45 (which may be called “primary ovarian insufficiency”), it is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and cognitive function concerns.
Some patients will experience induced early menopause from medical treatment that surgically removed or damaged both ovaries.
- Read: Early or premature menopause - Office on Women’s Health (OASH)
- Read: Premature menopause - The Menopause Society
- Watch: Why does menopause happen early? - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Common symptoms and side effects
Read summaries of common menopause symptoms and side effects from resources that your doctor trusts:
- Common perimenopause symptoms - The Menopause Society
- MenoNotes: Clear explanations of menopause-related topics - The Menopause Society
- Menopause explained: What are the symptoms? - International Menopause Society
Changes to your mental clarity and mood can be influenced by what phase of menopause you are in, and the symptoms you have that impact your daily life, such as brain fog, depressive symptoms, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping.
Tell your doctor if you have previously experienced depression or have been sensitive to hormone changes in the past, and/or if you have experienced premenstrual syndrome or postpartum depression—so that they can be aware of the factors that may put you at risk for severe depression during menopause and do an appropriate evaluation.
- Read: Mental health, memory and cognition - The Menopause Society
- Read: Menopause and depression (PDF) - The Menopause Society
- Watch: What women should know about menopause and brain fog - International Menopause Society
- Watch: The menopause blues - International Menopause Society
- Watch: How to protect your brain health at menopause and beyond - International Menopause Society
It's common to experience irregular menstrual cycles in perimenopause. Speak with your doctor to determine if the changes you experience are concerning.
- Watch: Abnormal uterine bleeding—When to see a clinician - The Menopause Society
- Read: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause - The Menopause Society
Vasomotor symptoms, aka “hot flashes,” are brief and intense sensations of heat and flushing. “Night sweats” are hot flashes that occur during sleep. Vasomotor symptoms happen in menopause because estrogen levels drop, which affects the part of the brain that controls body temperature.
These symptoms can deeply impact your personal comfort and sleep routine. Though these symptoms commonly occur during menopause, they often improve over time and, for most people, will go away within a few years.
- Read: Hot flash treatments, risk factors, and FAQ - The Menopause Society
During menopause, some patients experience major changes and challenges in their sexual function and desire. The most reported sexual concerns during this time include low sex drive, vaginal dryness and decreased lubrication, pain with sex, difficulty having an orgasm, and decreased sexual satisfaction.
- Read: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (PDF) - The Menopause Society
- Read: Sexual function and challenges, treatments and FAQ - The Menopause Society
- Watch: Menopause and sexual desire - The Menopause Society
There is a common collection of symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency that can involve changes to your genitals. This includes urinary symptoms, dryness, irritation, and burning, and sexual symptoms. If these symptoms are not treated, they often become worse over time.
Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms. There are many effective options, including over-the-counter and prescription treatments.
- Read: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (PDF) - The Menopause Society
Managing your weight can become a challenge during menopause.
Weight gain in midlife is caused by a mix of hormone, physical, and lifestyle changes. Although aging is the primary driver of weight gain, menopause plays a critical role in redistributing fat — often increasing abdominal fat.
If you are concerned, ask your doctor for more information about a referral to a specialist at Penn Medicine for support with weight management.
- Read: Midlife weight gain (PDF) - The Menopause Society