Hot Flashes (flushes)
Hot flashes or flushes can be mild or severe, but in general, they involve a fast-spreading sensation of warmth through the face, neck, and shoulders due to vasodilation of the blood vessels in the skin. Hot flashes are the result of fluctuating hormone levels, but their triggers, intensity, and frequency vary from woman to woman. Hot flashes that occur during sleep are often known as night sweats.
HRT
See hormone replacement therapy.
Hypertension
High blood pressure that occurs when arteries become too inflexible to allow an ample supply of blood to circulate, especially under periods of exertion or stress, thus causing excess pressure against arterial walls. Severe or ongoing high blood pressure can lead to stroke and other life-threatening conditions.
Hysterectomy
The surgical removal of the uterus that may or may not also be accompanied by the removal of the cervix and/or ovaries. If ovaries remain, the hysterectomy doesn’t necessarily cause menopause, though menstrual bleeding ceases.
I
Induced Menopause
A cessation of menstrual cycles that occurs when a woman has her ovaries surgically removed in a procedure called oophorectomy, or when a woman’s ovaries cease to function prematurely as a result of medication, radiation, a lack of nutrition, or excessive exercise. With treatment and intervention, some nonsurgical types of induced menopause may be temporary. See also temporary menopause.
Insomnia
An inability to fall and/or remain asleep that occurs three or more nights a week.
Isoflavones.
A type of plant estrogen found in soybeans, red clover, and (in much lower quantities) green tea, peas, pinto beans, lentils, and other legumes, that may have benefits in treating some symptoms of menopause.
K
Kegel Exercise
An exercise designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor to improve vaginal muscle tone, improve sexual response, and limit involuntary urine release due to stress urinary incontinence.
L
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) is the fraction of total cholesterol that accumulates as fat deposits (plaques) on arterial walls.
LH
See luteinizing hormone.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, LH has multiple functions, one of which is prompting ovulation.
M
Male Menopause
Known as andropause, male menopause is associated with an age-related decrease in male hormone levels in men; symptoms can include lethargy, depression, mood swings, insomnia, hot flashes, irritability, and decreased sexual desire and function.
Mammogram
A low-dose X-ray of the breast used to screen for or examine lumps that may signify breast cancer.
Menarche
The first menstrual period.
Menopause
The permanent end of menstruation and fertility. See also natural menopause, induced menopause, and temporary menopause.
Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)
Using a combination of hormones to treat the symptoms of decreasing estrogen and progesterone. The hormones may include estrogen, progestin and variations of either, alone or in combination. See also Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Migraine Headaches
Intensely painful headaches thought to be associated with spasms in constricted blood vessels in the brain. Women who suffer migraines describe them as pounding headaches that can produce nausea, vomiting, and a painful sensitivity to light, noise, and odors.
N
Natural Menopause
The cessation of all periods resulting from the halt of ovarian hormone production that is spontaneous and not the result of other physical or pathological conditions or treatments; natural menopause is diagnosed when a women has had twelve months of amenorrhea.
Night Sweats
See hot flashes.
O
Obesity
A condition of being more than 30 percent over your ideal weight, or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. (A BMI of 25-30 is considered "overweight")
Omega-3 fatty acids
Essential fatty acids found in fish, nuts, flaxseed, tofu, and in soybean and canola oils, that help nourish the hair and nails, and offer a number of benefits for cardiovascular health.
Oophorectomy
The surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
Osteoporosis
A chronic disease in which a loss of bone mass results in porous, fragile bone that is prone to fracture. An age-related disease in menopause, osteoporosis can manifest itself sooner in women who have risk factors.
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from a properly developed ovarian follicle.