‘This Is Your Time To Focus on You’: What Doctors Want Every Woman To Know on World Menopause Day
Learn how to make navigating this transition easier and more enjoyable
Whether you’re approaching menopause or already in the thick of it, you’re navigating one of life’s most transformative chapters—and you likely have plenty of questions. Maybe you’re wondering if your menopause symptoms are normal, when this stage really begins or what’s actually happening in your body. The good news? You’re not alone, and there are real answers. This World Menopause Day, we asked doctors to share what they want you to know about menopause, so you can move through this transition with clarity and confidence.
What is menopause?
“Menopause is when your menstrual period stops for good—meaning it’s been 12 months since your last
one,” says Kate McLean MD, MPH, FACOG and Chief Medical Officer at women’s health brand Evvy. “It happens because your ovaries naturally slow down and stop releasing eggs, and levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop. It’s a normal, healthy part of aging, but it can bring physical and emotional changes that deserve care and support.”
Woman's World Answers
And while going through menopause is inevitable, Dr. McLean says there’s not a one-size-fits-all experience. That said, common symptoms of menopause include:
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Feeling tired or having trouble sleeping
- Mood changes such as sadness, irritability or anxiety
- Vaginal dryness, which may lead to discomfort during sex
- Urinary changes such as more frequent urination
- Forgetfulness or brain fog
- Changes in your body
4 things doctors want you to know about menopause
For years, the menopause transition was rarely discussed, but now it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. While this increase in conversation is a positive step for women’s health, it also means there’s a lot of information out there—and not all of it is evidence-based or comes from medical experts. To help you sort through it, we asked doctors to share what’s most important to know.
It’s okay if you start menopause earlier or later
“Most people reach menopause around age 51 or 52,” says Dr. McLean. “Early menopause means before age 45, premature menopause means before age 40 [and] late menopause is usually considered after age 55.”
These ages are just guidelines, though, and there could be a variety of reasons you start menopause earlier or later.
“It mostly comes down to a mix of genetics, lifestyle and health factors,” says Dr. McLean. “Family history plays a big role—you may reach menopause around the same age as your mother. Smoking can also make menopause come earlier. Certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy or surgery to remove the ovaries, can also cause earlier menopause. A later menopause can happen naturally if your ovaries keep producing estrogen for longer.”
When your health strays from general guidelines, you may begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed about something being “wrong,” but Dr. McLean encourages reframing your thinking. “If you reach menopause later—that’s okay,” says Dr. McLean. “It’s not something to worry about.”
“And if you reach menopause earlier, that’s okay too—it just means it’s extra important to stay on top of things like heart health, bone strength and hormone discussions with your doctor,” adds Dr. McLean. “No matter when menopause happens, it’s a good time to check in on your overall health and make sure you’re supported.”
And even better news for the late menopause crew: Research shows starting later could be a boon for your heart health. A recent study published in Circulation Research found that women who experienced menopause later, meaning after age 55, had arteries that were better able to expand and relax, a sign of healthier blood vessels and heart function.
As for what explains the study results: “Longer exposure to estrogen due to later onset of menopause leads to better blood vessel function,” explains Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP, Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide Health and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. That’s because estrogen helps protect the inner lining of the blood vessels and reduces a cell-damaging process known as oxidative stress. “As a result, there is a lower risk of cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Dweck says.
Menopause hormone therapy could be beneficial
“Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is the gold standard treatment option for many women with less risk, specifically for breast cancer, than previously thought,” says Dr. Dweck. “We know that the ideal window of opportunity to initiate MHT is before age 60 and within 10 years of menopause onset.”
Dr. McLean says that hormone therapy “can help manage menopause symptoms, protect bone health and support heart health in some cases. “Talk to your doctor about your health history to choose the best option—pills, patches, gels or vaginal forms [of menopause hormone therapy],” adds Dr. McLean. “The right dose and delivery method are key.”
It’s common to experience vaginal changes
“Lower estrogen [levels]can cause dryness, irritation or pain during sex and even bladder changes,” says Dr. McLean. “Over-the-counter [vaginal] moisturizers or lubricants can help. If that’s not enough, ask about low-dose vaginal estrogen or other prescription options. These are safe for many women and can make a big difference in comfort and confidence.”
Worth noting: Dr. Dweck encourages seeking help for vaginal changes to avoid bigger long-term health complications. “Vaginal changes due to menopause are chronic and progressive if not managed,” adds Dr. Dweck, meaning it will only get worse if left untreated.
Menopause is a time to prioritize yourself
“This is your time to focus on you—your heart, your bones, your energy,” says Dr. McLean. “Menopause
is a natural checkpoint to take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well, get good sleep and stay up to date on health screenings like cholesterol, blood pressure and bone density. Even small changes—like walking more, quitting smoking or adding more calcium and vitamin D—can have a big impact on how you feel long term.”
And pouring into yourself may also look like prioritizing your mental health, as Dr. Dweck says cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to help manage some of the most common menopause symptoms.
The bottom line on menopause
Entering any new stage of life brings questions and uncertainty—and that’s completely normal. The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone. By prioritizing your wellbeing, staying informed and reaching out to trusted experts when you need support, you’re taking powerful steps toward feeling your best.
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