Disclaimer
This is an excerpt from the world's first evidence-based acupuncture and herbal medicine menopause textbook:Ā Menopause A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners.Ā Written by Katherine (Kath) Berry & Natalie Chandra Saunders, registered Chinese medicine practitioners with decades of experience, it is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice. If you are on medication, have a current diagnosis, or have concerns about your health, please consult your GP or specialist before starting any new treatment. Contact a qualified Acupuncturist / Herbalist for a full consultation and tailored treatment plan.
eBook (US spelling)
ISBN 978-1-7391-308-8-6
Copyright Ā© Katherine Berry 2023
Terminology, Stages, and Definitions
There are many different ways to describe menopause and the years preceding and succeeding it. Many people erroneously use the word āmenopauseā to describe the period prior to and following the cessation of menses, during which menopausal symptoms may occur. For the sake of simplicity, we have followed this convention throughout much of the text.
Terminology
Some of the terminologies most frequently used when discussing menopause and its related symptoms are listed below.
Adolescence
The transitional phase between the ages of 10 to 19 years old as a child develops into an adult.
Puberty
Occurring during adolescence, puberty in girls results from an increase of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones. Physical changes such as the development of breasts and secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. underarm and pubic hair) occur. During this time her menstrual cycle begins (menarche).
Pre-menopause
The time period before menopause or perimenopause, during which a woman experiences regular or irregular menstrual periods. Sometimes referred to as āthe fertile yearsā or āchild-bearing age.ā
Perimenopause
The span of time between the onset of cycle irregularity and 12 months after the final menstrual period (FMP). The perimenopausal period may last as long as 10 years in total.
Menopause
The cessation of menstruation for a period of 12 months or more. The average age of menopause in economically developed countries is 51 although it can occur much earlier or later.
Early Menopause
Cessation of ovarian function between ages 40ā45.
Post-menopause
The time from 12 months after the final menstrual period onwards.
Climacteric
Sometimes used interchangeably with the word āmenopause.ā However, climacteric (from the Greek for āstepsā) more accurately describes a gradual decrease in ovarian function from the pre to post-menopausal stages.
Climacteric Syndrome
A collection of symptoms that frequently occur during the climacteric period.
Induced or Iatrogenic āMedical Menopauseā
Menopause due to pharmaceutical drugs that cause premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Surgical Menopause
Cessation of menstruation due to surgical removal of the female reproductive organs and pelvic radiation therapy.
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Cessation of ovarian function before age 40. Sometimes referred to as premature menopause.
References
Jane, FM., Davis, SR., (2014). A Practitionerās Toolkit for Managing the Menopause, Taylor Francis Online: Climacteric Volume 17, 2014 - Issue 5, doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2014.929651Ā https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/13697137.2014.929651
