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When menopause occurs before age 45. If before 40, it is called premature ovarian insufficiency.

Early menopause affects between one and five percent of women. It can occur spontaneously or as a result of surgery, cancer treatment or autoimmune diseases. Because it happens early in life, hormone therapy is often relevant to protect long-term health.

Se også: Kirurgisk overgangsalder, Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT), Beinhelse og osteoporose

The time in life when menstruation stops permanently, usually between ages 45 and 55.

Menopause is a natural phase marking the end of the fertile period. It begins with irregular cycles (perimenopause), reaches menopause after twelve months without a period, and continues into postmenopause. Most women go through this between ages 45 and 55.

Se også: Perimenopause, Postmenopause, Østrogen, Vasomotoriske symptomer

The phase before menopause when menstrual cycles become irregular and hormones fluctuate significantly.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menstruation stops entirely. It can start as early as the 40s and last several years. Many recognize the first signs as irregular cycles, sleep problems or mood swings without knowing it is related to menopause.

Se også: Overgangsalderen, Postmenopause, FSH (follikkelstimulerende hormon), Østrogen

The time after twelve months without menstruation. A phase that lasts the rest of life.

Postmenopause begins twelve months after the last menstrual period. In this phase, estrogen levels are low and stable. Some symptoms subside, but the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease increases. Preventive health care becomes more important.

Se også: Overgangsalderen, Beinhelse og osteoporose, Hjerte- og karhelse i overgangsalderen, Østrogen

Abrupt menopause resulting from surgical removal of both ovaries.

When both ovaries are removed (bilateral oophorectomy), hormone production drops suddenly. Symptoms can come faster and be more intense than with natural menopause. Talk to your doctor about hormone therapy and prevention before a planned procedure.

Se også: Tidlig overgangsalder (POI), Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT)

Worry, nervousness or anxiety that arises or worsens during menopause.

Anxiety can appear in new ways during menopause, often as an inner restlessness with no clear cause. Palpitations, sleep problems and mood swings reinforce each other. Many find relief through a combination of talk therapy, sleep hygiene and sometimes medical treatment.

Se også: Hjertebank og hjertebesvær, Søvnproblemer i overgangsalderen, Nedstemthet i overgangsalderen

Frequent urination, urgency or involuntary urine leakage.

Many find that the bladder behaves differently during menopause. The mucous membranes in the urethra become thinner, and the pelvic floor can weaken. Pelvic floor exercises help many, and local estrogen treatment may also be relevant.

Se også: Urogenital atrofi (GSM), Østrogen

A feeling of reduced concentration, forgetfulness and mental sluggishness.

Brain fog is a feeling that your mind isn't working as it used to. You forget words, lose your train of thought or take longer on tasks you used to do without thinking. Many describe it as surreal and frightening. It is related to estrogen decline, sleep deprivation and stress, and usually improves over time.

Se også: Fysisk og mental utmattelse, Østrogen, Søvnproblemer i overgangsalderen

Feeling that your heart is beating faster, harder or skipping beats.

Heart palpitations can feel unfamiliar and frightening, but are a known menopause symptom. They are often related to hot flashes, anxiety or hormonal fluctuations. Persistent or severe symptoms should be investigated by a doctor to rule out other causes.

Se også: Hetetokter, Angst i overgangsalderen

Sudden waves of heat in the upper body, often with flushing, sweating and palpitations.

Hot flashes are the most common menopause symptom. An episode starts abruptly, usually lasts between one and five minutes, and can occur several times a day. Many also experience waking from night sweats. The symptoms can be reduced with both lifestyle measures and hormone therapy.

Se også: Vasomotoriske symptomer, Nattesvette, Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT)

A shorter fuse and more frequent frustration than you are used to.

Irritability is a common but often underreported menopause symptom. Many describe that small things suddenly provoke more than before. It is often related to sleep deprivation, stress and hormonal fluctuations, and improves when sleep and hormone balance become more stable.

Se også: Stemningssvingninger, Søvnproblemer i overgangsalderen

Pain, stiffness or aching in joints and muscles that appears or worsens.

Joint and muscle pain are underestimated menopause symptoms. Declining estrogen can make tendons less elastic and joints stiffer. Many notice it first in the morning or after inactivity. Movement and strength training help most people.

Se også: Østrogen, Beinhelse og osteoporose

Reduced sexual desire or changed experience of intimacy.

Low libido is a common menopause symptom but often difficult to talk about. It can be related to hormones, sleep, symptoms like vaginal dryness, and changes in the relationship or self-image. Many factors play a role, and many solutions can help.

Se også: Tørrhet i skjeden, Testosteron hos kvinner

Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness or lack of motivation.

Low mood affects more women during menopause than at other times of life, and can occur even in women who have not previously struggled with this. It can develop into depression if it persists. Talk to your doctor if you feel down over time.

Se også: Stemningssvingninger, Angst i overgangsalderen, Fysisk og mental utmattelse

Rapid and intense shifts in mood, often without an obvious cause.

Mood swings during menopause can resemble what you may know from the menstrual cycle, only stronger and more unpredictable. They are caused by fluctuations in estrogen and can be amplified by sleep deprivation and life stress. For many, they last a few years and ease after postmenopause.

Se også: Irritabilitet, Nedstemthet i overgangsalderen, Angst i overgangsalderen

Hot flashes that occur at night and often wake you from sleep.

Night sweats are hot flashes that occur while you sleep. Many wake up drenched and need to change bedding. Over time this disrupts sleep, which in turn affects mood, energy and concentration. A cool bedroom and light materials help some; others need treatment.

Se også: Hetetokter, Vasomotoriske symptomer, Søvnproblemer i overgangsalderen

Persistent lack of energy, both physical and mental.

Many women experience an exhaustion during menopause that goes beyond ordinary tiredness. You can feel tired even after a good night's sleep. It is often a combination of sleep disturbances, hormonal changes and everyday demands, and can be confused with burnout.

Se også: Søvnproblemer i overgangsalderen, Hjernetåke

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking rested.

Sleep is often affected during menopause, both by night sweats and by direct hormonal changes. Many women sleep more lightly and wake earlier than before. Poor sleep over time amplifies other symptoms like irritability, brain fog and low energy.

Se også: Nattesvette, Fysisk og mental utmattelse, Angst i overgangsalderen

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: the collective term for changes in the genitals and urinary tract.

GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause) is the modern, comprehensive term for what was previously called urogenital atrophy. It covers dryness, discomfort, pain during intercourse and urinary tract symptoms resulting from lower estrogen. Local treatment is safe and works for most women.

Se også: Tørrhet i skjeden, Blæreproblemer, Østrogen

Lack of moisture and elasticity in the vaginal lining, often with burning or pain.

Vaginal dryness results from lower estrogen levels making the mucous membranes thinner. The symptoms can cause discomfort in daily life, pain during intercourse and increased risk of urinary tract infections. Local estrogen treatment is safe and effective for most women.

Se også: Urogenital atrofi (GSM), Østrogen, Lav libido (nedsatt seksuell lyst)

Collective term for hot flashes and night sweats, the most typical menopause symptoms.

Vasomotor symptoms is the medical term for hot flashes, flushing and night sweats. They affect about eight out of ten women and can last for several years. The symptoms occur because the brain's temperature regulation becomes more sensitive when estrogen levels drop.

Se også: Hetetokter, Nattesvette, Østrogen

The main female sex hormone. Drops significantly during menopause.

Estrogen is produced mainly in the ovaries and affects much more than just reproduction. It affects skin, mucous membranes, bone health, heart and blood vessels, sleep and mood. When estrogen drops during menopause, most women notice it in several areas simultaneously.

Se også: Progesteron, Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT), Beinhelse og osteoporose

Hormone that rises when the ovaries produce less estrogen, used in investigating menopause.

FSH is a hormone that signals from the pituitary gland to the ovaries. When estrogen drops, the body tries to compensate by producing more FSH. Elevated FSH can therefore be a sign that you are approaching or in menopause, but a blood test alone rarely gives the full picture.

Se også: Østrogen, Perimenopause

Sex hormone that balances estrogen and prepares the body for pregnancy.

Progesterone is made in the ovaries after ovulation. During menopause, production becomes uneven and drops faster than estrogen. In hormone therapy, progesterone is used together with estrogen to protect the uterine lining in women who still have their uterus.

Se også: Østrogen, Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT)

Hormone that contributes to energy, muscle mass and sexual desire, also in women.

Testosterone is associated with men, but women also produce it. Levels drop with age and contribute to lower libido, less energy and reduced muscle mass. In some countries, testosterone is used in hormone therapy, but in Norway its use is more limited.

Se også: Lav libido (nedsatt seksuell lyst), Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT)

Treatment that adds estrogen, and often progesterone, to relieve menopause symptoms.

Hormone therapy, also called MHT or HRT, is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe menopause symptoms. It comes as tablets, patches, gel, cream and local products. For most women under 60, the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor about what suits you.

Se også: Østrogen, Progesteron, Vasomotoriske symptomer

An internationally recognized questionnaire with 11 questions measuring symptom severity.

The Menopause Rating Scale is a clinically validated way to map your symptoms. It covers somatic, psychological and urogenital symptoms, and gives a total score between 0 and 44. The MRS is useful both for understanding where you are today and for tracking changes over time. You can find our test at menoa.no/tools/mrs.

Se også: Vasomotoriske symptomer, Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT)

Bone density decreases during menopause, and the risk of fractures increases.

Estrogen protects the bones. When levels drop during menopause, many women lose between one and two percent of bone density per year in the first years. Preventive measures like strength training, calcium, vitamin D and sometimes medical treatment reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Se også: Østrogen, Postmenopause, Hormonbehandling (MHT/HRT)

The risk of cardiovascular disease increases after menopause due to lower estrogen.

Estrogen has a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. After menopause, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases in women. Lifestyle measures like regular physical activity, a balanced diet and good sleep are crucial. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to take care of your heart.

Se også: Østrogen, Postmenopause

Many experience weight gain, especially around the abdomen, during the years around menopause.

Hormonal changes, less muscle mass and altered sleep patterns contribute to many gaining a couple of kilos around menopause. Fat distribution often shifts toward the abdomen. Strength training and attention to protein intake help many maintain a stable weight.

Se også: Fysisk og mental utmattelse, Søvnproblemer i overgangsalderen