Menopausal & Postmenopausal Disorders

What They Are

Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without periods, after which a woman is considered postmenopausal and estrogen production remains chronically low. Disorders in this phase arise largely from hypoestrogenism, superimposed on normal aging, and can persist for many years.?

Key Clinical Problems

Common menopausal complaints include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, mood lability, and decreased sexual desire. Postmenopausal women also face vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, recurrent urinary symptoms, osteoporosis, fractures, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and higher cardiovascular risk.?

Evaluation and Management

Assessment focuses on symptom burden, fracture risk, cardiometabolic profile, and contraindications to hormone therapy. Management combines lifestyle measures, systemic or local estrogen (with progestogen if uterus intact), and nonhormonal options such as SSRIs, SNRIs, gabapentin, lubricants, and bone?protective drugs