Reproductive stages include:

• Premenopause: Regular cycles and stable hormones.
• Perimenopause: Hormonal fluctuations causing symptoms like mood swings and irregular periods.
• Menopause: This is only one day in your life when you complete 12 months without a period; symptoms may peak.

Postmenopause: Hormones remain low, increasing risks like osteoporosis.Explore these stages in depth in our blog: Stages of Reproductive Life.

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, typically around age 50. It is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This natural process comes with symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes, which can be managed with lifestyle adjustments or treatments.

Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and more. Some women also experience anxiety, weight gain, or joint pain. See a detailed list of symptoms and management in our blog Understanding Menopause.

The average age for menopause in the U.S. is 51, but it can occur between your late 40s and 50s. On the other hand, perimenopause can begin up to 10 years before your last period.

Key signs include irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Early perimenopause often shows a 7-day cycle change; later stages have 60+ day gaps between periods.

Menopause decreases hormones like estrogen, affecting multiple systems in the body. Common symptoms include hot flashes, bone loss, and changes in heart and brain function. Proper care and therapies can mitigate these effects.

Menopause can cause unusual symptoms like tingling sensations, electric shocks, or nerve pain. These are linked to hormonal fluctuations affecting the nervous system.

Premature menopause occurs before age 40 and shares symptoms with natural menopause. It may result from genetic factors, medical conditions, or treatments. Discuss symptoms and management options with your doctor.

Not all women experience hot flashes. Other symptoms like sleep disturbances and mood changes may signal perimenopause.

Yes, though fertility declines, ovulation can still occur occasionally during perimenopause. If you're not planning a pregnancy, it's important to continue using reliable birth control throughout this transition until you've reached menopause (defined as no periods for 12 months).

IUDs (Intrauterine Devices): Hormonal and non-hormonal types are over 99% effective and last up to 10 years.

Progestin-only pill (mini-pill): Ideal for those who cannot take estrogen.

Combined oral contraceptives: Help manage perimenopause symptoms.

Barrier methods: Includes condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides.

Hormonal changes may cause vaginal dryness or decreased libido. Solutions include HRT, lubricants, and local estrogen treatments. Learn how MenoPlay can help you with vaginal dryness and other menopause symptoms.