Hormone Changes During Menopause

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Menopause is not a sudden change. During the months or years before menopause (perimenopause), your ovaries start to run out of eggs. Your body makes less estrogen and progesterone. This may bring on symptoms, such as hot flashes. You’ve reached menopause when you have not had a period for 1 year. From that point on, you are in menopause.

Perimenopause

In the years leading up to menopause, your ovaries make less estrogen. You release fewer eggs and your periods become less regular.

Symptoms you may have:

Heavier or lighter periods
Longer or shorter time between periods
Hot flashes
Mood swings or depression
Night sweats
Insomnia
Vaginal dryness. This may make sex uncomfortable or painful.
Urinary changes, such as incontinence or urinating more often
Migraine headaches
Joint pain

Postmenopause

After menopause, you make very little estrogen. As a result, the uterine lining doesn't thicken, and your periods have ended.

Symptoms you may have

No periods
Vaginal dryness, which may make intercourse uncomfortable or painful
Hot flashes
Mood swings or depression
Night sweats
Insomnia
Urinary changes, such as incontinence and urinating more often
Joint pain
Memory loss or trouble concentrating

Surgical menopause

Menopause occurs if you have your uterus removed. But symptoms of menopause happen only if the ovaries are also removed. This causes a quick drop in the amount of estrogen and progesterone. This drop causes sudden and severe symptoms.