Menopause Glossary: Common Terms and What They Mean

Confused by menopause terminology? You're not alone if you're wondering "What's the difference between perimenopause and menopause?" or "What does postmenopause actually mean?"

Menopause Terms A-Z

Anxiety - Persistent worry, nervousness, or panic that may be new or worsen during perimenopause. Declining progesterone reduces the body's natural calming mechanisms.

Bioidentical Hormones - Hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the human body, typically estradiol and progesterone. Despite marketing claims, they're not necessarily safer or more effective than conventional hormones.

Brain Fog - Difficulty concentrating, remembering words, or thinking clearly. Many women describe feeling like they're "thinking through molasses." This typically improves once hormone levels stabilize in postmenopause.

Compounded Hormones - Custom-mixed hormone preparations made by specialty pharmacies. These lack FDA oversight and may vary in quality and consistency between batches.

Depression - Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities. Women with a history of depression are 2-4 times more likely to experience depression during the menopause transition.

Dutch Test - A comprehensive urine test that measures hormone levels and metabolites over a 24-hour period. While marketed for "personalized" hormone therapy, these tests are not recommended by major medical organizations for diagnosing menopause or guiding treatment decisions, as hormone levels fluctuate significantly during perimenopause.

Early Menopause - Natural menopause that occurs before age 45, affecting approximately 5% of women. This can be caused by genetics, autoimmune conditions, or medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

Estrogen - The primary female sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, supports bone health, and affects mood, skin, and cardiovascular health. Levels drop by 60-70% during menopause, causing many of the symptoms women experience.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) - Produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate egg production. FSH levels rise dramatically during perimenopause as the body tries harder to stimulate increasingly unresponsive ovaries.

Hot Flashes - Sudden feelings of intense heat, often accompanied by sweating and rapid heartbeat. They typically last 1-5 minutes and can occur multiple times daily. About 75% of women experience hot flashes during the menopause transition.

Joint Pain - Aching or stiffness in joints, particularly in the morning. Declining estrogen affects cartilage and bone health, making this a common but often overlooked symptom.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) - Works with FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle. Like FSH, LH levels increase as the ovaries become less responsive to hormonal signals.

Local Estrogen - Hormone therapy applied directly to specific areas, typically vaginal estrogen for urogenital symptoms. This provides targeted relief with minimal systemic absorption.

Menopause - The official medical definition is exactly 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This typically occurs around age 51, though it can happen anywhere from the mid-40s to late 50s. Menopause itself is technically just one day—the anniversary of your last period.

MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy) - Medical treatment using estrogen alone or combined with progesterone to replace hormones that decline during menopause. Also called HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

Mood Swings - Rapid changes in emotional state, from irritability to sadness to anxiety, often without clear triggers. Fluctuating estrogen levels directly affect neurotransmitters that regulate mood.

Night Sweats - Hot flashes that occur during sleep, often severe enough to wake you up and requiring you to change clothes or bedding. These can significantly disrupt sleep quality for 2-4 years on average.

Pellets - Small hormone implants inserted under the skin, typically containing testosterone or estradiol, that release hormones over 3-6 months. While convenient, pellets cannot be easily removed if side effects occur and may deliver inconsistent hormone levels as they dissolve.

Perimenopause - The transitional period leading up to menopause when estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate wildly. Symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings typically begin during this phase, which can last 4-8 years. Your periods may become unpredictable—longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter than usual.

Perimenopause Rage - Intense anger or irritability that seems disproportionate to the situation. This affects up to 70% of women and is directly related to hormonal fluctuations.

Postmenopause - All the years after menopause has occurred. During this phase, estrogen levels remain consistently low, and you're no longer at risk of surprise periods. Some symptoms like hot flashes may continue, while others like bone density loss become more concerning.

Premature Menopause - Menopause that occurs before age 40, also called Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). This affects about 1% of women and requires immediate medical attention due to increased health risks from prolonged estrogen deficiency.

Progesterone - The hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy and helps balance estrogen. Progesterone levels often decline first during perimenopause, leading to irregular periods and sleep problems.

Sleep Disruption - Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Often caused by night sweats, anxiety, or progesterone deficiency, affecting up to 60% of perimenopausal women.

Surgical Menopause - Occurs when both ovaries are removed through surgery (bilateral oophorectomy), causing an immediate and dramatic drop in hormone levels rather than the gradual decline of natural menopause. This creates more severe symptoms that begin suddenly.

Systemic HRT - Hormone therapy that affects the entire body, such as pills, patches, or gels. Used for symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and bone protection.

Testosterone - While primarily thought of as a male hormone, women produce small amounts that support libido, energy, and muscle mass. Testosterone levels gradually decline starting in the 30s and continue falling through menopause.

Transdermal - Hormone delivery through the skin via patches, gels, or creams. Transdermal estrogen is safer than oral forms because it bypasses the liver and reduces blood clot risk.

Vaginal Dryness - Decreased lubrication and elasticity of vaginal tissues due to declining estrogen levels. This can cause discomfort during intercourse and increase the risk of urinary tract infections.