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Menopause (Expert Forum)
How long does it take to go into menopause?
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
How long does it take to go into menopause?
by Babycakes1, Nov 07, 2005 12:00AM
Hi,
Thank you for taking my question. My wife is in her early 50's and her period has been waining over the past year or so. Her ob/gyn told her that based on her bloodwork, she is still not in menopause.
How long does it typically take for a woman to completely transition into menopause.
Thanks in advance.
Joey
Thank you for taking my question. My wife is in her early 50's and her period has been waining over the past year or so. Her ob/gyn told her that based on her bloodwork, she is still not in menopause.
How long does it typically take for a woman to completely transition into menopause.
Thanks in advance.
Joey
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Nov 09, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 09, 2005 12:00AM
A. Menopause is a transition that usually takes a decade to complete. It begins in the forties and ends with the woman’s last period. In the United States, that occurs on average at age 51. The definition of Menopause is one year after a woman’s last period. Using that time frame it is very unlikely that she will start her periods up again and the date of menopause becomes the date of the last period.
The ten years leading up to menopause is called perimenopause meaning “around menopause”. Most women have reached menopause by age 55. The blood work that doctors use is called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). It is the hormone that causes an egg and the cyst around it (the follicle) to develop each month. When there are few remaining eggs, FSH levels must increase to cause on of the last eggs to develop because the remaining eggs are often more and more resistant to the hormone. There is no absolute value that defines menopause; just an elevated level that slowly gets increasingly higher.
While your wife is waiting for menopause, ask her to talk to her doctor about taking calcium supplements, a multivitamin, and having a colonoscopy and a bone density if she hasn't done this already.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
The ten years leading up to menopause is called perimenopause meaning “around menopause”. Most women have reached menopause by age 55. The blood work that doctors use is called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). It is the hormone that causes an egg and the cyst around it (the follicle) to develop each month. When there are few remaining eggs, FSH levels must increase to cause on of the last eggs to develop because the remaining eggs are often more and more resistant to the hormone. There is no absolute value that defines menopause; just an elevated level that slowly gets increasingly higher.
While your wife is waiting for menopause, ask her to talk to her doctor about taking calcium supplements, a multivitamin, and having a colonoscopy and a bone density if she hasn't done this already.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
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Regarding; " ask her to talk to her doctor about taking calcium supplements, a multivitamin, and having a colonoscopy and a bone density"
Yes, she as just gone for a routing exam with her gyn, and that is precisely what the doctor ordered!
Again much thanks for your time and this great forum.
Joe
she laughed and gave me some estrol natural extra strength, and although i noticed my blood pressure was also going through the roof, it soon seem much better.
I have not had any other things happen. no mood swings, or anything. I just stopped having periods and now, after the 4th month, i seem back under control.
I do overheat faster at times, but seems all in all under control. is all this normal. Other than the sudden sweats here and there, i am pretty normal feeling.
anything i should look out for or should know.
if that was all it, i think my body is dealing with it pretty good.