Clara Spencer
Clara Spencer...
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What is menopause?
The menopause actually means end of monthly periods, and it's defined as having 12 months of no period, but it's really more of a transition time. So what happens in this transition is the ovaries stop releasing eggs, they stop producing hormones, the most important of which is oestrogen. And as a consequence, menopause symptoms are experienced. It's a natural part of ageing for most women. Although some women will have an early menopause, some women will have a later menopause, some women will have a menopause as a result of medical treatments or even surgery.
What is a surgical menopause?
A surgical menopause is when a woman will have her ovaries removed for either medical reasons or as cancer preventative treatment, and as a consequence, she will be plummeted quickly into the menopause. As without the ovaries, the hormone levels will suddenly drop off.
What is a medical menopause?
A medical menopause is when the ovaries stop working. They stop releasing eggs and producing hormones as a result of medication that somebody may be taking. For example, many types of chemotherapy, ovaries working or other types of medicines for other medical conditions can stop ovaries working, and this might be temporary or it might be permanent.