Q&A: I just turned 40. What do I need to know about menopause?

Answer: Menopause is a completely normal part of a woman’s life, but for many women, it can make them feel anything but normal.

Menopause is the time, about age 42 to 55, when a woman’s period stops. During menopause, women experience a decline in estrogen — the primary female sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the reproductive system — and their ovaries stop producing eggs. Menopause lasts two to eight years and occurs in stages: perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. During all three stages, women may experience side effects, such as hot flashes or depression, that can impact their day-to-day life.

Perimenopause can last up to four years. During this phase, women may have irregular menstruation, such as skipped periods or lighter-than-normal periods. Menopause, occurs when a woman has experienced 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. During this time, estrogen production halts and women may have hot flashes, mood swings or fatigue. Once a woman completes a full year without a period, she is in the post-menopausal phase, and symptoms experienced in menopause begin to subside. If a woman suddenly experiences bleeding after this 12-month time span, she should see a physician, as there could be other factors affecting her health.

Knowing when your female relatives experienced menopause can offer clues as to when you may begin. For example, if your mother began menopause at an early age, you may expect to begin close to that age,as well; however, each woman’s time frame and symptoms are different. Common signs and symptoms of menopause include:

Your medical history can also effect how you experience menopause. Women who have had a hysterectomy, a procedure in which the uterus is surgically removed, may experience menopause shortly after the time of surgery if their ovaries also are removed, regardless of age.

Women suffering from depression, or who have a history of depression, should be aware that the transition into menopause may trigger or worsen the effects of depression. Even without a history of depression, menopause can trigger symptoms of depression, including general sadness, loss of interest in regular activities, and changes in sleeping and eating habits. If you have a history of depression, or begin experiencing these symptoms during menopause, you should talk to your physician immediately.

Women also should be aware that decreased estrogen production can affect the amount of calcium in the bones and lead to osteoporosis — thinning of the bones. Osteoporosis can spur an overall feeling of fatigue and joint pain, which can ultimately lead to bone fractures.

What can I do to feel better?

Menopause symptoms are normal and may disappear on their own. Although they may cause discomfort, they may not require advanced care. However, for women seeking relief, lifestyle modifications can alleviate the severity of symptoms. Modifications you can make before and during menopause include:

If you do not see relief through these measures, your physician may prescribe estrogen supplements or hormone therapy.

Aja Jackson DeVose, D.O., is a family physician at Mercy Health Associates at Mercy Philadelphia Hospital.