Menopause
Menopause and Women’s Health
On average, about one-third of a woman’s life is spent in the menopausal period.
Contrary to common belief, menopause is not a disease but a natural part of the life cycle. The average age of menopause worldwide, including in Türkiye, is around 45–55. Early menopause is defined as entering this phase before the age of 40.
Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life that occurs after the end of ovulatory function. However, some of the changes that occur during menopause can negatively and deeply affect a woman’s life, leading to the emergence of various health problems and a decrease in quality of life.
In the past, menopause was often observed without intervention because it was considered a natural part of life. Today, this approach is outdated. Many of the negative changes and conditions associated with menopause can be prevented or alleviated with medical treatment.
Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. During the transition period, which may last several years, menstrual irregularities begin: a woman may skip a period for one month, then menstruate the next, then skip again, until menstruation eventually stops completely. When the period of amenorrhea exceeds 12 months, the woman is considered to be in menopause.
Common symptoms include:
Insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, irritability, exhaustion, feeling unwell, emotional depression
Hot flashes, sweating, palpitations
Atrophy of the genital organs, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse
Sometimes decreased sexual desire (libido)
Increased tendency toward atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Atrophy of the urinary tract, which may lead to urinary incontinence
Bone loss (osteoporosis)
Women do not wake up one morning suddenly finding themselves in menopause. Menopause is the culmination of changes that develop over nearly 20 years. After the age of 40, women may first experience irregular menstrual bleeding, intermittent hot flashes and sweating, and psychological changes. Over time, these complaints increase and menstruation eventually ceases.
In this period, a one-year absence of menstruation is sufficient for a diagnosis of menopause. If menstrual delays last longer than six months, further evaluation is required, including measurement of blood estrogen levels and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), to establish a definitive diagnosis. However, menstrual irregularities or abnormal bleeding should not be considered “normal” simply because of the assumption that menopause is approaching. A physician should be consulted, as such symptoms may also be seen in pregnancy or cancers of the female reproductive organs, and these conditions must be carefully investigated.
Menopause and Breast Health
Breast cancer is a frightening condition for everyone, particularly for women over the age of 50. Three-quarters of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50. Just as women begin to worry about entering menopause, they may also face the anxiety associated with the term “breast cancer.”
Many women have heard the phrase “one in eight.” This means that one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime.
Statistics show that the incidence of breast cancer has increased by 24% over the past twenty years. According to the National Cancer Institute, the risk of breast cancer is:
- 1 in 237 between the ages of 30–40
- 1 in 42 between the ages of 50–60
- 1 in 30 between the ages of 60–70
- 1 in 25 between the ages of 70–80
- 1 in 8 over the course of a lifetime