What is the menopause?
The menopause is a completely normal and natural part of a woman’s life. It’s a time when our hormones are changing, and our bodies are shifting towards the end of fertility. It’s a period of our lives to take stock and look after ourselves so that we can live our best lives and thrive going forward.
The word ‘menopause’ literally means the ‘end of monthly cycles’ (the end of monthly periods or menstruation), from the Greek word pausis (‘pause’) and mēn (‘month’).
What do the terms ‘surgical’ and ‘medical’ menopause mean?
Some women enter menopause for reasons other than natural changes in their hormones. The two most common types are surgical and medical menopause:
Surgical menopause – this occurs when a woman’s ovaries are removed. Hormone levels plummet, and she immediately experiences menopause.
Medical menopause – this occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working due to chemotherapy, other medicines, or radiotherapy.