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Menopause Current Topics in Menopause

Menopause - The Ups and Downs of Change

Summary & Participants

It can be challenging to adjust to the changes brought on by menopause. But there are advantages to this time of life.

Medically Reviewed On: August 06, 2008

Webcast Transcript

Elaine, Has Reached Menopause: I don't recognize my body. I don't feel comfortable in my body any more and that's not me.

ANNOUNCER: Elaine Stillerman used to be a competitive body builder. For her the physical changes are the hardest part of menopause.

Elaine, Has Reached Menopause: When I was young, I had a twenty-three and a half inch waist, twenty-four on a on a heavy day. That was my body and now I won't go near a tape measure, I won’t go near a scale.

ANNOUNCER: Physical changes are part of what a woman can expect when she reaches menopause.

Suzanne LaJoie, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist: There may be mood changes. There may be changes in sleep which can affect mood and also the hot flashes and, sometimes, at night, there can be night sweats.

ANNOUNCER: For most women, menopause occurs sometime between the age of 45 and 55. The ovaries gradually produce less hormones until menstrual periods stop.

Suzanne LaJoie, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist: We won't really say officially you're in menopause until there's been a full year of no periods. Perimenopause is the time beforehand when women are still getting periods. But, during that time, women can still have symptoms, so, a lot of times, you'll see hot flashes or vaginal dryness and mood swings, even though a woman is still menstruating.

ANNOUNCER: Although Elaine has struggled with the changes menopause has brought, she sees advantages to this phase of life.

Elaine, Has Reached Menopause: The bleeding is over, the cramps are over, the dramatic mood swings are over, the acne breakouts, they're gone. And there's still challenge and life to look forward to.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily.