World Menopause Day – Information Resources for Perimenopause and Menopause

Posted by Bobbi Newman on October 18th, 2023 Posted in: Public Libraries, Resource Sharing
Tags: health information, menopause, perimenopause, world menopause day

About Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause, sometimes referred to as the menopausal transition, is a phase in a life characterized by the natural progression toward menopause when menstruation or periods stop permanently. The onset of perimenopause varies, with some people noticing the first signs of this transition in their 40s, while others may experience changes as early as their mid-30s.

During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate irregularly. This hormonal fluctuation can lead to changes in menstrual patterns, including longer or shorter cycles and instances where the ovaries do not release an egg (ovulation). Additionally, people experiencing perimenopausal may encounter symptoms resembling those of menopause, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. Fortunately, there are treatments available to alleviate these symptoms.

Once a person has gone through 12 consecutive months without experiencing a menstrual period, they are considered to have reached menopause, marking the end of the perimenopausal phase. Understanding perimenopause and its associated changes is essential to manage this transitional period effectively and seek appropriate medical guidance when needed.

Resoruces

Perimenopause

Menopause 101: A Primer for the Perimenopausal (North American Menopause Society)

Perimenopause (Mayo Clinic)

Menopause

• Menopause MedlinePlus (Also in Spanish)
• About Menopause  (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• Menopause (Food and Drug Administration)
• Menopause (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health)
• What Is Menopause?  (National Institute on Aging)
• Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

 NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Breastfeeding and Pregnancy Could Lower Risk of Early Menopause
• Menopause: What You Need to Know
• What We Know–and Still Don’t Know–about Menopause

MedlinePlus Related Health Topics

• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Menstruation
• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

• Aging changes in the female reproductive system
• Cancer treatment — early menopause
• Deciding about hormone therapy
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test
• Menopause
• Types of hormone therapy

Treatments and Therapies

• 4 Things to Know about Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Hormone Replacement Therapy: MedlinePlus Health Topic  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
• Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?  (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Menopause Treatment (Endocrine Society)
• What Are the Treatments for Other Symptoms of Menopause?  (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)Also in Spanish

ABOUT Bobbi Newman
Bobbi Newman (MLIS, MA) is the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for NNLM R6 at the University of Iowa. She is the author of Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries. She developed the popular NNLM course “Wellness in the Library Workplace.” Bobbi is a mindfulness student and a member of Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). She currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board for Let’s Move in Libraries. She divides her time between her dog, reading fantasy and nonfiction, playing video games, crafting, kayaking, biking, and gardening.

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