57 Best Doctors for Menopause available in Kolkata

Menopause is that time in a woman's life when the menstrual cycle stops permanently. Generally, 12 months after a woman has stopped having her menstrual cycle is considered her menopause. In menopause, there is a complete absence of menstrual bleeding or spotting for one year after your last period.

Usually, women aged between 48 and 55 years get menopause. In some women, the entire process takes seven years, while others may take 14 years to reach menopause. The average age for having menopause can be around 52 years. It is commonly believed that your menopause age will depend on your mother's menopause age.

Menopause occurs when the ovarian follicles fail to function. The symptoms include hot flashes and sweating at night. You may experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, difficulty to sleep, changes in the skin, loss of sex drive, weak bones, painful intercourse and vaginal dryness. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may also be seen in a few women.

Perimenopause or menopausal transition is that time when the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and lasts until the menopause. Its duration varies in every woman; however, the average duration is three to four years. You may have sudden sweating, chills, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, irregular periods and heavy or scanty bleeding during perimenopause.

Bleeding after menopause is not considered as a normal sign. This bleeding may be due to inflammation and swelling of the uterine walls or some abnormal growth in the uterus. In a few cases, it may also indicate cancer. If you experience bleeding after menopause, you should contact your gynaecologist at the earliest.