Menopause Glossary: Key Terms You Should Know
Stages & Life Changes
Medically induced menopause
Menopause
(MED-uh-klee in-DOOST MEN-uh-pawz)
(MEN-uh-pawz)
Late-onset menopause
(late-ON-set MEN-uh-pawz)
Premature menopause
Perimenopause
Postmenopause
(pair-uh-MEN-uh-pawz)
(PREM-uh-chur MEN-uh-pawz)
(post-MEN-uh-pawz)
Hormone Changes in Menopause
Estrogen
Progesterone
(ESS-truh-jen)
(pro-JESS-tuh-rone)
GeneralSymptoms
Hot flashes
Night sweats
(hot FLASH-iz)
(nite SWETS)
Brain fog
(brayn fog)
Vasomotor symptoms
(VAY-zoh-MOH-ter SIMP-tums)
Vaginal, Sexual & Bladder Changes
Dyspareunia
Libido
(dis-pair-YOO-nee-uh)
(luh-BEE-doh)
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
(jen-ih-toh-YUR-uh-nair-ee SIN-drome of MEN-uh-pawz)
Pelvic floor dysfunction
(PEL-vik flor dis-FUNK-shun)
Vaginal dryness
(VAJ-uh-nul DRY-ness)
Long-Term Health & Treatment Options
Menopause hormone therapy
Nonhormonal therapy
Osteoporosis
(non-HOR-muh-nul THAIR-uh-pee)
(MEN-uh-pawz HOR-mone THAIR-uh-pee)
(oss-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis)
Vaginal dryness
(VAJ-uh-nul DRY-ness)
Less natural lubrication in the vagina due to hormonal changes during menopause. It can cause discomfort or pain during sex. Options such as water-based lubricants can help.
Osteoporosis
(oss-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis)
A condition in which bones become weak and more likely to break. Menopause can cause rapid loss of bone density, increasing osteoporosis risk.
Libido
(luh-BEE-doh)
Sex drive, which may decline during menopause.
Dyspareunia
(dis-pair-YOO-nee-uh)
Pain during sex. It may result from vaginal dryness, which can be caused by hormonal changes.
Menopause
(MEN-uh-pawz)
The point in time marked by 12 straight months without a menstrual period. It happens when the ovaries stop releasing hormones needed for reproduction. The average age is 51 or 52, but menopause can happen earlier or later.
Premature menopause
(PREM-uh-chur MEN-uh-pawz)
Menopause that takes place at age 40 or younger. It’s different from early menopause, which happens before 45. Premature menopause may happen for no clear reason or because of medical treatment or surgery.
Menopause hormone therapy
(MEN-uh-pawz HOR-mone THAIR-uh-pee)
Medication that gives the body hormones to help ease menopause symptoms. It may also be called hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It may come as pills, patches, creams, gels, or implants.
Brain fog
(brayn fog)
Cognitive changes such as trouble finding the right words, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating. Brain fog can happen because of hormonal changes during menopause.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
(jen-ih-toh-YUR-uh-nair-ee SIN-drome of MEN-uh-pawz)
A chronic condition caused by lower hormone levels (such as estrogen). GSM can lead to vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, and sexual discomfort.
Perimenopause
(pair-uh-MEN-uh-pawz)
The time leading up to menopause. It can last for years and often begins between ages 40 and 50. During perimenopause, you may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and menstrual changes.
Progesterone
(pro-JESS-tuh-rone)
A hormone produced by the ovaries. Along with estrogen, it controls the menstrual cycle. Your body makes less progesterone as you approach menopause.
Postmenopause
(post-MEN-uh-pawz)
The time after menopause, lasting for the rest of life. Some menopause symptoms may continue during postmenopause.
Medically induced menopause
MED-uh-klee in-DOOST MEN-uh-pawz)
Menopause that happens because of surgery, medication, or other medical treatment. For example, it may occur after the ovaries are removed or after certain cancer treatments. Menopause caused by surgery is also called surgical menopause.
Vasomotor symptoms
(VAY-zoh-MOH-ter SIMP-tums)
Symptoms related to changes in body temperature control during menopause. The most common vasomotor symptoms are night sweats and hot flashes.
Estrogen
(ESS-truh-jen)
A hormone produced by the ovaries. Your body slowly makes less estrogen as you near menopause. Estrogen affects many body processes, including cholesterol levels and how the body uses calcium. Low estrogen levels may raise your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
Late-onset menopause
(late-ON-set MEN-uh-pawz)
Menopause that happens after age 55.
Pelvic floor dysfunction
(PEL-vik flor dis-FUNK-shun)
Weakness in the muscles and tissues at the bottom of the pelvis. It can lead to symptoms such as urinary incontinence (leaking urine), painful sex, or constipation.
Hot flashes
(hot FLASH-iz)
A sudden feeling of warmth, often in the neck, face, or chest. Hot flashes may cause facial flushing (which can look red on lighter skin tones or darker on deeper skin tones) or prompt sweating.
Nonhormonal therapy
(non-HOR-muh-nul THAIR-uh-pee)
Treatments that don’t use hormone-based medications to ease menopause symptoms. These may include drugs to strengthen bones or reduce hot flashes.
Night sweats
(nite SWETS)
Hot flashes that take place during the night, affecting your ability to sleep well. Night sweats may make you sweat profusely, and some people wake up to find their pajamas soaked with sweat.
[MENO-67] Menopause Glossary: Key Terms You Should Know
MyHealthTeam
Created on January 6, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Akihabara Agenda
View
Akihabara Content Repository
View
Internal Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Use
View
Correct Concepts
View
Sorting Cards
View
Interactive Scoreboard
View
Semicircle Mind Map
Explore all templates
Transcript
Menopause Glossary: Key Terms You Should Know
Stages & Life Changes
Medically induced menopause
Menopause
(MED-uh-klee in-DOOST MEN-uh-pawz)
(MEN-uh-pawz)
Late-onset menopause
(late-ON-set MEN-uh-pawz)
Premature menopause
Perimenopause
Postmenopause
(pair-uh-MEN-uh-pawz)
(PREM-uh-chur MEN-uh-pawz)
(post-MEN-uh-pawz)
Hormone Changes in Menopause
Estrogen
Progesterone
(ESS-truh-jen)
(pro-JESS-tuh-rone)
GeneralSymptoms
Hot flashes
Night sweats
(hot FLASH-iz)
(nite SWETS)
Brain fog
(brayn fog)
Vasomotor symptoms
(VAY-zoh-MOH-ter SIMP-tums)
Vaginal, Sexual & Bladder Changes
Dyspareunia
Libido
(dis-pair-YOO-nee-uh)
(luh-BEE-doh)
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
(jen-ih-toh-YUR-uh-nair-ee SIN-drome of MEN-uh-pawz)
Pelvic floor dysfunction
(PEL-vik flor dis-FUNK-shun)
Vaginal dryness
(VAJ-uh-nul DRY-ness)
Long-Term Health & Treatment Options
Menopause hormone therapy
Nonhormonal therapy
Osteoporosis
(non-HOR-muh-nul THAIR-uh-pee)
(MEN-uh-pawz HOR-mone THAIR-uh-pee)
(oss-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis)
Vaginal dryness
(VAJ-uh-nul DRY-ness)
Less natural lubrication in the vagina due to hormonal changes during menopause. It can cause discomfort or pain during sex. Options such as water-based lubricants can help.
Osteoporosis
(oss-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis)
A condition in which bones become weak and more likely to break. Menopause can cause rapid loss of bone density, increasing osteoporosis risk.
Libido
(luh-BEE-doh)
Sex drive, which may decline during menopause.
Dyspareunia
(dis-pair-YOO-nee-uh)
Pain during sex. It may result from vaginal dryness, which can be caused by hormonal changes.
Menopause
(MEN-uh-pawz)
The point in time marked by 12 straight months without a menstrual period. It happens when the ovaries stop releasing hormones needed for reproduction. The average age is 51 or 52, but menopause can happen earlier or later.
Premature menopause
(PREM-uh-chur MEN-uh-pawz)
Menopause that takes place at age 40 or younger. It’s different from early menopause, which happens before 45. Premature menopause may happen for no clear reason or because of medical treatment or surgery.
Menopause hormone therapy
(MEN-uh-pawz HOR-mone THAIR-uh-pee)
Medication that gives the body hormones to help ease menopause symptoms. It may also be called hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It may come as pills, patches, creams, gels, or implants.
Brain fog
(brayn fog)
Cognitive changes such as trouble finding the right words, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating. Brain fog can happen because of hormonal changes during menopause.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
(jen-ih-toh-YUR-uh-nair-ee SIN-drome of MEN-uh-pawz)
A chronic condition caused by lower hormone levels (such as estrogen). GSM can lead to vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, and sexual discomfort.
Perimenopause
(pair-uh-MEN-uh-pawz)
The time leading up to menopause. It can last for years and often begins between ages 40 and 50. During perimenopause, you may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and menstrual changes.
Progesterone
(pro-JESS-tuh-rone)
A hormone produced by the ovaries. Along with estrogen, it controls the menstrual cycle. Your body makes less progesterone as you approach menopause.
Postmenopause
(post-MEN-uh-pawz)
The time after menopause, lasting for the rest of life. Some menopause symptoms may continue during postmenopause.
Medically induced menopause
MED-uh-klee in-DOOST MEN-uh-pawz)
Menopause that happens because of surgery, medication, or other medical treatment. For example, it may occur after the ovaries are removed or after certain cancer treatments. Menopause caused by surgery is also called surgical menopause.
Vasomotor symptoms
(VAY-zoh-MOH-ter SIMP-tums)
Symptoms related to changes in body temperature control during menopause. The most common vasomotor symptoms are night sweats and hot flashes.
Estrogen
(ESS-truh-jen)
A hormone produced by the ovaries. Your body slowly makes less estrogen as you near menopause. Estrogen affects many body processes, including cholesterol levels and how the body uses calcium. Low estrogen levels may raise your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
Late-onset menopause
(late-ON-set MEN-uh-pawz)
Menopause that happens after age 55.
Pelvic floor dysfunction
(PEL-vik flor dis-FUNK-shun)
Weakness in the muscles and tissues at the bottom of the pelvis. It can lead to symptoms such as urinary incontinence (leaking urine), painful sex, or constipation.
Hot flashes
(hot FLASH-iz)
A sudden feeling of warmth, often in the neck, face, or chest. Hot flashes may cause facial flushing (which can look red on lighter skin tones or darker on deeper skin tones) or prompt sweating.
Nonhormonal therapy
(non-HOR-muh-nul THAIR-uh-pee)
Treatments that don’t use hormone-based medications to ease menopause symptoms. These may include drugs to strengthen bones or reduce hot flashes.
Night sweats
(nite SWETS)
Hot flashes that take place during the night, affecting your ability to sleep well. Night sweats may make you sweat profusely, and some people wake up to find their pajamas soaked with sweat.