WHAT IS MENOPAUSE? WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERMS MENOPAUSE AND CLIMACTERIC?

The term "menopause" really refers to the last period or menstruation, which a woman has. The term "climacteric" refers to the transitional phase during which ovaries slowly stop working, and your body gets used to lower hormone levels. When climacteric is complete, it leads to the postmenopause. The terms are used interchangeably but strictly speaking they should not be.

WHEN DO THE CHANGES OCCUR?

The changes are not sudden, but happen gradually over a few years. The age at which menopause occurs varies greatly. Females as young as 18 yrs have been proved to be truly postmenopausal (i.e. ovarian failure due to loss of oocytes).

Conversely, we also not infrequently see women who have not undergone menopause until age 58-59 years. For most women the climacteric extends for 2-3 years, and usually starts around age 46-48 years. However, in some women the climacteric may last much longer with the initial symptoms of ovarian failure starting in the late 30's/early 40's and predating menopause by 8-10 years.