After menopause you may be more likely to get an STI from sex without a condom. Vaginal dryness or irritation is more common after menopause and can cause small cuts or tears during sex, exposing you to STIs. Menopause happens when you have gone 12 months in a row without a period.
The average age of menopause in the United States is The range for women is usually between 45 and Certain health problems can also cause you to start menopause earlier. Menopause usually happens on its own. However, you may enter menopause earlier than you normally would if you have had chemotherapy or surgery to remove both ovaries. Learn more about early menopause on our Early or premature menopause page.
After menopause you will no longer be able to get pregnant and you will no longer get a period. If you have any type of vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Vaginal bleeding after menopause is not normal and can mean that you have a serious health problem.
For more information about menopause, call the OWH Helpline at or check out the following resources from other organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home Menopause Menopause basics. Menopause basics. Menopause basics Menopause is when your period stops permanently.
What is menopause? What is perimenopause, or the transition to menopause? When does the transition to menopause usually start? How will I know if I am starting the transition to menopause?
Sometimes it can be hard for you and your doctor to tell whether you are in perimenopause, the transition to menopause: Symptoms: Tell your doctor or nurse about any menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes or trouble sleeping.
Irregular periods: Track your periods. Irregular periods may be your first sign of menopause. Hormone levels: Your doctor may test the amount of hormones in your blood if your periods stopped at an early age before This is because, for most women, hormone levels go up and down in an unpredictable way during the transition to menopause. So it is difficult to tell for sure whether you have gone through menopause or are getting close to it based on this blood test.
How will menopause affect me? For example: Your menstrual periods may not come as regularly as before. They also might last longer or be shorter. You might skip some months. Periods might stop for a few months and then start up again. Your periods might be heavier or lighter than before. You might have hot flashes and problems sleeping. You might experience mood swings or be irritable. You might experience vaginal dryness.
Perimenopause is the period of transition between reproductive age to non-reproductive age. Your periods may be lighter, heavier, more frequent, or less frequent during this time.
In most cases, they'll just be different than what you're used to. Menopause is when you have reached the point in your life where you will no longer ovulate or menstruate. The average age of menopause is 51 years old. You may have light periods, infrequent periods, or amenorrhea when breastfeeding, particularly if breastfeeding provides your baby with all or almost all of their calories. Many women believe that breastfeeding is a form of birth control, but it's not.
Even if you don't have periods when you are breastfeeding, you can get pregnant. If you are not ready for another child, you should still use a contraceptive.
If you think that you can't be pregnant because you have an IUD, there is a small chance that your missed period could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy can sometimes happen due to the shape of the IUD, and you may not test positive on a pregnancy test, either. Your healthcare provider can check for it with a pelvic examination or an ultrasound. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include cramping in your lower abdomen, shoulder pain, weakness or dizziness, nausea, and breast tenderness.
Some women have missed periods, while others have vaginal bleeding or spotting. In addition to the use of an IUD, other factors that are associated with ectopic pregnancy include:. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition. Seek medical attention right away if you miss your period and think you might be at risk.
Missing a period every once in a while is usually not cause for concern. That said, you should see a healthcare provider if you miss more than one period, or your missed period is accompanied by new or unusual symptoms. Seek medical attention right away if you also experience any of the following:. There are many reasons for late periods, and while most are not cause for alarm, you do need an evaluation and treatment if you have completely missed more than one period.
How your missed periods are treated depends on why you aren't having your period. The treatment can include lifestyle changes, such as diet or stress reduction, or may involve hormone replacement therapy. Healthcare providers usually ask women when they had their last period.
However, many women simply don't keep track of their period, and in some cases, they may be too busy to notice they missed a period at all. If this sounds like you, consider placing a red dot on period days in your calendar. You can also download a "period tracker" app for your smartphone to make tracking your menstrual cycle much easier. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause. BMC Womens Health. Berz K, Mccambridge T. Amenorrhea in the female athlete: What to do and when to worry. Pediatr Ann. Blood biomarker profiling and monitoring for high-performance physiology and nutrition: Current perspectives, limitations, and recommendations.
Sports Medicine. Neuroendocrine causes of amenorrhea—an update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Evaluation and management of amenorrhea related to congenital sex hormonal disorders. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. Night shift among women: Is it associated with difficulty conceiving a first birth? Front Public Health.
Medical complications of anorexia nervosa. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. Rosenfield RL. Clinical review: Adolescent anovulation: maturational mechanisms and implications. Santoro N. Perimenopause: From research to practice. Premature ovarian failure is when you stop menstruating before age Surgery, chemotherapy , and radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis may cause premature ovarian failure.
Other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome , tuberculosis , liver disease , and diabetes can cause missed or irregular periods, although this is rare. But if any of these diseases are present, you will usually have other symptoms besides menstrual irregularities. If you've skipped a period, try to relax. Restoring your life to emotional and physical balance can help. Many women miss periods now and then. Unless you are pregnant, chances are your cycle will return to normal next month.
Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need.
These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can affect the menstrual cycle.
A few examples are:. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care right away.
The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them.
Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. There is no home treatment for missed or irregular periods. But the following information may help you find the cause of your missed or irregular periods:.
Do a home pregnancy test if you have had sex since your last period. If the result is positive, practice the following good health habits until you see your doctor:.
If the home pregnancy test is negative but you continue to have pregnancy symptoms, it is a good idea to see your doctor to confirm the results. Practice good health habits until you see your doctor. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:.
If you participate in endurance sports , you may miss periods or stop menstruating. Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and keep track of your periods. Tell your doctor about any changes in your menstrual periods. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Missed or Irregular Periods. Topic Overview Most women have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. If you are not pregnant, other causes of missed or irregular periods include: Excessive weight loss or gain.
Although low body weight is a common cause of missed or irregular periods, obesity also can cause menstrual problems. Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. For more information, see the topic Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
Increased exercise. Missed periods are common in endurance athletes. Emotional stress. Medicines such as birth control methods, which may cause lighter, less frequent, more frequent, or skipped periods or no periods at all.
Hormone problems. This may cause a change in the levels of the hormones that the body needs to support menstruation. Illegal drug use. Problems with the pelvic organs , such as imperforate hymen , polycystic ovary syndrome , or Asherman's syndrome. Many women do not resume regular periods until they have completed breastfeeding. Check Your Symptoms Have you missed any periods, or have your periods been irregular?
Irregular means different than what is normal for you more or less often, longer or shorter, heavier or lighter. How old are you? Less than 15 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question?
The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.
0コメント