The face of menopause in America is changing.

Women are living as much of their  lives in menopause as they did in their reproductive years. Research dollars dedicated to menopause are rising in step with the trend.  Here is some information on menopause from Dr. William Madland, an OB-GYN  with Saint Alphonsus Medical Group.

•  The average woman enters menopause at the age of 51.5 years; menopause can be confirmed with a blood test. Women can look to their mothers for clues. If a woman’s mother entered menopause early, the daughter is likely to do the same. Late menopause for mom usually means the same for her daughter.

•  Signs women are entering menopause may include irregular periods, mood changes, intolerance to heat or cold, hot flashes.

•  Perimenopause is the six to eight years before menopause.

•  Many women sail through menopause with little or no trauma. Maybe they notice symptoms, but they don’t amount to much.

•  If women choose hormone replacement, they should begin shortly after menopause rather than waiting until they are in their 60s or 70s. That minimizes the  risk of heart attacks, breast cancer and other  health threats.

•  Bio-identical hormones have the advantage of matching the chemical structure of the woman who is taking them. Madland sometimes prescribes them. Commonly prescribed prescription hormones are more of a one-size-fits-all approach to hormone replacement.

•  Don’t forget OB-GYN visits after menopause. Some women are aware of recommendations from the National Cancer Institute that allow some seniors  to stop having Pap tests for cervical cancer. The danger is that those women may stop going to an OB-GYN. Older women still need an annual checkup, during which doctors can screen for osteoporosis and other health issues related to menopause.

Compiled by Colleen LaMay