Living well with menopause

Menopause FAQ

Q
My first menstruation came at an early age. Does this mean that menopause will come early as well?
A

Women tend to reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, and the age at which individual women reach menopause varies within this range, but getting your first period at an early age does not necessarily mean that you will reach menopause early.

Q
I have severe period pains. Does this mean I will have more severe symptoms of menopause as well?
A

No correlation has been found between painful periods and the severity of symptoms of menopause.

Q
I have hot flashes, am irritable, and have pain in my joints. I don't know which hospital I should go to or what type of specialist I should see.
A

Depending on the specific symptoms, women will visit an internist, psychosomatic specialist, or ears, nose and throat specialist. But if you think that menopause could be the reason that you are not feeling well, you should first see an OB/GYN for a menopause check-up.

Q
I am in my early 30s. My period is irregular, and for the past year I have not menstruated at all. I also have chills and stiff shoulders. Could this be menopause?
A

Early onset menopause is a condition in which women in their 20s or 30s, earlier than the typical age for menopause, experience menopause-like symptoms. This is usually caused by the temporary failure of the ovaries to secrete female hormones due to stress or other factors. You should see an OB/GYN to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Q
My periods ended when I was about 55 years old. I have not menstruated for several years, but a few days ago, I got my period again. Is this abnormal vaginal bleeding?
A

Some women experience occasional bleeding for a year or two after their menstrual cycle has ended. However, if you are bleeding five to ten years after menopause, you should visit an OB/GYN for a checkup to rule out the possibility of illness.

Q
Do the symptoms of menopause get worse just as the menstrual cycle is ending?
A

The symptoms of menopause are caused by a decline in the functioning of the ovaries, and symptoms gradually develop as the menstrual cycle becomes irregular. Menopausal symptoms do not suddenly become worse than they were.

Q
Are menopausal symptoms hereditary?
A

Menopausal symptoms are dependent upon many factors, including psychological factors related to personality, aging and lack of estrogen, as well as social factors related to work and family (home environment). Menopausal symptoms are said to be a type of stress disorder, and because each person's background is different, they are not necessarily inherited.