The first is described as the perimenopausal stage.  This is characterized by the initial signs and signals of menopause, even though you're still experiencing your normal menstrual cycle.  During this phase, your hormonal level rises and falls unevenly.  You may experience occasional hot flashes and other symptoms routinely associated with the process.  This phase lasts in some women as long as four to five years.

Once you have gone a full 12 months without a period, you've reached menopause.  Your ovaries produce very little estrogen compared to your younger years and produce no progesterone at all.  Moreover, your body no longer releases eggs.

Once this 12-month mark is over, you are technically, postmenopausal

Introduction

In most women, menopause is a natural process.  But in some instances it can be induced due to surgery or other medical treatments or conditions.  This can mean a loss of menstrual cycles earlier than what most women experience.

Perhaps the foremost reason for an early menopause is a hysterectomy in which both the uterus and the ovaries are removed.  Called a total hysterectomy, this prompts menopause in a woman without her experiencing the normal perimenopausal phase.   The chances are increased, in this setting, that you'll experience some of the physical symptoms most noted with this change of life, like hot flashes.

If on the other hand your hysterectomy involves only removal of the uterus, and not your ovaries, you probably won't experience menopause.  You ovaries will still be able to release eggs and still produce estrogen and progesterone.

Sometimes, a woman's ovaries stop functioning for no apparent reason before the age of 40.  Called premature ovarian failure, about one percent of women experience this. The causes for this are varied.  They could be due to genetic factors or because of the presence of autoimmune diseases. In many instances, no cause at all can be discovered.

Even though menopause is a natural part of the aging process of all women, it's still vital to see your health care practitioner during both the perimenopausal phase and the postmenopausal stage of the process.  She'll be able to provide you all the necessary preventive health care measures you'll need, as well as other vital health concerns.

If you've missed a period, and aren't sure if you're starting menopause, you'll want to visit your health care practitioner to see if you're pregnant. She'll no doubt take your medical history, perform a pelvic examination and if necessary, order a pregnancy test.

For most women, self-diagnosis is all that is necessary to recognize that they're perimenopausal.  However, you may have concerns about some of the symptoms.  In response, your health care practitioner may do further evaluation.  There are blood tests available to diagnose whether you're perimenopausal. 

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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