Menopause

You may have heard the word "menopause" before, but not known what it meant. Basically, it means your menstrual cycle and reproductive capabilities shut down. So, no more periods, ever.

Now you might be inwardly exclaiming, "No more periods?! How do I get this menopause to happen?"

Well, first of all, menopause is a natural occurrence. It generally happens about age 45-55, although it can happen to people in their 30's if they have damage to their ovaries. So, it's not easy to get menopause early, and even if you can manage it, you'll have to wait until you're in your 30's or so. (Of course, you may not want menopause to happen yet if you want the capability to reproduce.)

What causes menopause? Every girl is born with a finite number of eggs. The ovaries release one or more eggs every month as part of the menstrual cycle. Once you run out of eggs, however, menstruation stops.

However, premature menopause can also be caused by premature ovarian failure, where your ovaries mysteriously stop releasing eggs. (Premature ovarian failure is not always permanent.) It can also be caused by surgically removing the ovaries for medical reason.

If you're a younger person like me, you won't have to worry about menopause for a while. But in case an older person happens to be reading this blog, here are some signs of menopause to watch out for.

• Hot flashes (a sudden spread of heat along the upper body)
• Irregular or skipped periods
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Fatigue
• Depression and sadness
• Racing heart
• Headaches
• Joint and muscle aches and pains

These symptoms peak around menopause and generally fade during the years after menopause.

Sources:

• http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/menopause-basics
• My mom