What Is Postmenopausal? A Simple Guide to Understanding Postmenopause

It is hard to say when, exactly, a woman will go through menopause. The biggest determining factor is the age that her mother went through menopause, although other health-related factors will also come into play. Get the answer in details about “what is postmenopausal.”

Because menopause is an inevitable phase of a woman’s life, it is important to know what to expect. However, there is another phase that many women are unaware of: what is postmenopausal?.

What is postmenopausal? How do you know it has arrived and what can you do about it? Read on to learn more about common women health issues.

What Is Postmenopausal?

Postmenopausal refers to the period of time in a woman’s life after she has completed the perimenopausal phase. The symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, loss of bladder control, and more. These symptoms can begin to take effect as early as your 30’s.

Once perimenopause is complete, your body transitions to menopause and postmenopause. At this point, estrogen levels are lower and pregnancy is no longer viable.

While many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause will start to dissipate once you have reached postmenopause, there are some health risks that you should be aware of. These include the loss of bone density, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

How Do You Know If You Are Postmenopausal?

A rule of thumb is that postmenopause has set in 12 months after your last period. However, this isn’t always accurate and it is important to consult with your doctor before assuming that pregnancy is no longer viable.

Your doctor can measure your follicle stimulating hormone to determine how close you are to menopause and postmenopause.

Note that postmenopausal vaginal bleeding can occur and if it does, it is important to see your doctor. Some women mistake it for a normal period and assume that they are not as far into perimenopause as they suspected.

However, if you experience vaginal bleeding after a year of not getting a period, it may be an indication of something else entirely.

What Can You Do About It?

First and foremost, continue to schedule regular gynecological exams even when you have reached postmenopause. It is still crucial that women receive pap smears, mammograms, and pelvic exams throughout their later years.

Lowered estrogen can cause a number of issues. These include bone density loss, lowered sexual desire, thinning of the urethra lining, and a low metabolic rate. There is therapy for postmenopausal women that involves hormone replacement. It can slow down some of these postmenopausal symptoms and is safe to pursue for up to 7 years of the postmenopausal phase.

Paying closer attention to your diet and exercise routine can help. Remaining active and healthy is a great way to lessen the risk of heart disease.

Know What Happens After Menopause

We’ve all heard of menopause and its many symptoms, but what is postmenopausal? Knowing more about what changes your body will go through will better prepare you to face and treat them and keep reading to know sleeping position while pregnancy.

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