Menopause is a natural, inevitable stage in every woman’s life, yet it remains widely misunderstood and often shrouded in anxiety. At Well-Life Hospital, Abuja’s leading fertility and reproductive health center, Dr. I. S. Yakub shares expert insights to demystify menopause, helping women and their families navigate this transition with confidence and compassion1.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause marks the permanent end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and fertility. It is diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, typically occurring between ages 45 and 55, with the average age around 501. This transition is a result of the ovaries exhausting their supply of eggs, leading to a significant drop in the hormone estrogen, which governs many aspects of female health and well-being1.
Why Don’t Men Experience Menopause?
Unlike women, who are born with a finite number of eggs, men produce new sperm throughout their lives. This fundamental biological difference means men do not undergo a menopause-like transition1.
Types of Menopause
| Type | Description |
| Physiological | The natural, age-related decline in ovarian function. |
| Surgical | Occurs when both ovaries are removed, often to prevent hormone-sensitive cancers. |
| Medical | Triggered by treatments like chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy, which inadvertently damage ovaries. |
Premature ovarian failure (before age 40) is not considered true menopause, but rather an early loss of ovarian function, sometimes due to genetics, surgery, or medical treatments1.
Symptoms: What to Expect
Menopause affects nearly every organ system, primarily due to declining estrogen levels. Symptoms can be both physical and emotional, including1:
- Hot flashes and night sweats (vasomotor symptoms)
- Irregular periods leading up to menopause (perimenopause)
- Mood swings, irritability, and depression
- Insomnia or sleep disturbances
- Muscle and joint pains
- Dry skin and increased wrinkles
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during urination or intercourse
- Reduced libido
- Increased risk of urinary tract infections
These symptoms can be distressing and may significantly impact quality of life. Many women, unaware of the cause, may undergo unnecessary medical investigations before receiving a correct diagnosis1.
How Is Menopause Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is primarily clinical—based on history and symptoms—without the need for laboratory tests. If periods have ceased for a year and the woman is within the typical age range, menopause is usually confirmed1.
Fertility and Menopause
After menopause, natural conception is virtually impossible due to the depletion of eggs. Women wishing to have children post-menopause usually require assisted reproductive technologies like IVF with donor eggs1.
Managing Menopause: Treatment and Lifestyle
Menopause is a natural process, and most women adapt over time. However, when symptoms are severe, several management options are available:
- Education and reassurance: Understanding that menopause is normal provides significant relief.
- Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management can ease symptoms.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): In select cases, estrogen replacement can alleviate distressing symptoms. However, HRT is prescribed cautiously due to potential risks, including an increased chance of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and endometrial cancer1.
“Before a woman is given hormone replacement therapy, there are important considerations, especially regarding cancer risk. HRT may theoretically stimulate hormone-sensitive cancers, so patients are carefully evaluated before starting therapy.” — Dr. I. S. Yakub1
Preserving Fertility During Cancer Treatment
For women facing cancer treatments that may damage the ovaries, fertility preservation options exist. These may include surgically moving the ovaries out of the radiation field, though availability of such procedures varies1.
When to Seek Help
If you are in your late 40s or early 50s and experiencing irregular periods, hot flashes, mood changes, or other unexplained symptoms, consult a healthcare professional. Early recognition and support can make this transition smoother and less stressful1.
Well-Life Hospital: Your Partner in Women’s Health
At Well-Life Hospital, we believe knowledge is power. Whether you are approaching menopause, supporting a loved one, or planning your reproductive journey, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us:
- Address: No. 12 Atbara Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
- Phone: +234 906 000 4314
- Website: welllifehospital.com
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Empowering women through every stage of life—because your health journey matters.
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