What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a stage of life, not an illness or ailment. It is defined as the end of menstruating and fertility, and begins 12 months after your last menstrual period. Hormonal changes occur during menopause that cause many of the common physical symptoms. Hot flashes, irregular sleep, and mood swings are all symptoms of menopause.
The mental and emotional responses to this major life event as well as the hormonal changes can affect mood. Often stress and anxiety can result when dealing with the changes of the body and the physical symptoms.
Menopause usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, although some woman go through menopause earlier in life. A hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) can also send a woman into early menopause.
