50 important menopause-related terms and their meanings:
- Menopause: The natural biological process in a woman’s life when menstruation ceases, typically occurring around age 45-55.
- Perimenopause: The transitional phase leading up to menopause when a woman’s body starts to experience hormonal changes and irregular periods.
- Hormones: Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine system that play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including those affected by menopause.
- Estrogen: The primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and controlling various aspects of women’s health.
- Progesterone: Another important female sex hormone that works in conjunction with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle.
- Hot Flashes: Sudden, intense sensations of heat that can result in sweating and discomfort, often experienced during menopause.
- Night Sweats: Episodes of excessive sweating at night, often accompanying hot flashes.
- Vaginal Dryness: A common symptom of menopause, characterized by a decrease in vaginal moisture and elasticity.
- Mood Swings: Emotional fluctuations that can occur due to hormonal changes during menopause.
- Libido: A person’s sexual desire or sex drive, which may fluctuate during menopause.
- Osteoporosis: A condition where bones become brittle and fragile due to the loss of bone density, which can be a concern during and after menopause.
- Cardiovascular Disease: A group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, with the risk increasing post-menopause.
- Breast Cancer: A type of cancer that can be affected by hormonal changes during menopause.
- Uterus: The organ in a woman’s body where the menstrual cycle occurs and can be affected by menopause.
- HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): A medical treatment using hormones to relieve menopausal symptoms.
- Bioidentical Hormones: Hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the human body, used in hormone therapy.
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): A broader term for hormone therapy used during menopause.
- Endometrium: The lining of the uterus, which can be affected by hormonal changes during menopause.
- Pelvic Floor: Muscles and tissues in the pelvic region that can be impacted by menopause, leading to issues like incontinence.
- Breast Tenderness: Changes in the breast tissue often experienced during menopause.
- Cholesterol: A fatty substance in the blood, which can be affected during menopause, including LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein).
- Hypertension: High blood pressure, which may become more prevalent during menopause.
- Endocrinologist: A medical specialist who deals with hormonal disorders and can be consulted for menopausal issues.
- Vulva: The external female genitalia, which can experience changes during menopause.
- Dyspareunia: Painful sexual intercourse, often related to vaginal dryness during menopause.
- Atrophic Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vaginal tissues due to reduced estrogen levels.
- Bone Density Test: A medical test that measures bone strength, important for assessing osteoporosis risk during menopause.
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often linked to menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
- Depression: A mood disorder that can be associated with hormonal changes during menopause.
- Anxiety: A common emotional response to the challenges of menopause.
- Vasomotor Symptoms: A broader term for hot flashes and night sweats.
- Menopausal Transition: The period when a woman is moving from perimenopause to full menopause.
- Hormone Levels: The concentration of hormones in a woman’s body, which can fluctuate during menopause.
- Fertility: The ability to conceive, which declines with the onset of menopause.
- Cognitive Decline: Changes in cognitive function that may occur during menopause.
- Urinary Incontinence: Loss of bladder control, which can be a menopausal symptom.
- Endocrine System: The system of glands and hormones responsible for regulating various bodily functions.
- Premature Menopause: The onset of menopause before the age of 40.
- Menopausal Hormone Levels: Hormone levels that are indicative of menopause, such as FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone).
- Menopause Symptom Management: Strategies and treatments to alleviate the physical and emotional challenges of menopause.
- Hysterectomy: A surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed, leading to immediate menopause if the ovaries are also removed.
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): A collection of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the days leading up to menstruation and can be affected by menopause.
- Hormone Imbalance: An uneven or disrupted hormonal profile, which can contribute to menopausal symptoms.
- Bone Resorption: The process of breaking down bone tissue, which can accelerate during menopause.
- Cervix: The lower part of the uterus, which may undergo changes during menopause.
- Chronic Fatigue: Persistent feelings of tiredness and exhaustion that some women may experience during menopause.
- Kegel Exercises: Pelvic floor exercises that can help improve pelvic muscle strength, often recommended during menopause to combat incontinence.
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy: A type of hormone therapy that focuses on replacing estrogen during menopause.
- Menopause Support Groups: Communities or organizations that provide emotional support and information for women experiencing menopause.
- Vasodilation: The widening of blood vessels that can impact hot flashes during menopause.
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