In his statement, Prof. Dr. Ömer Tolga Güler, a faculty member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at PAU Hospitals, said: “Although menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, understanding the hormonal and physical changes that occur during this period is of great importance for maintaining a healthy life. Recognizing the symptoms that arise during menopause, identifying potential health problems at an early stage, and seeking specialist support when necessary help preserve women’s quality of life.

Menopause is simply the permanent cessation of menstrual periods in women. This occurs because the eggs in the ovaries are depleted through a programmed process. Women are born with a certain number of egg cells. As they age (even while still in the womb), the number of these cells decreases, and eventually, hormone production by the ovaries gradually declines. As a result, menstrual periods cease after a certain age. A woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has not menstruated for 12 consecutive months for no other reason. Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. In Türkiye, women reach menopause at an average age of 47–49.

Menopause may not occur suddenly. A transition period lasting several years may precede it. During this period, menstrual cycles may become irregular, and bleeding may decrease or increase. Some women may also begin experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep problems. The onset of menopause before the age of 40 is not considered normal. In such cases, an evaluation for premature ovarian insufficiency is essential.

Menopause is not a disease. It is one of the natural processes in a woman’s life, like puberty and pregnancy. However, the fact that menopause is a natural process does not mean that all symptoms that arise should be considered normal. Menstrual irregularities are common in women approaching menopause. However, not every menstrual irregularity should be attributed to menopause. Women should consult a gynecologist, particularly if they experience a significant increase in previously normal menstrual bleeding, periods that last much longer than usual, bleeding between menstrual periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, the recurrence of heavy bleeding after a prolonged period without menstruation, severe or increasingly intense pelvic pain, or foul-smelling or bloody vaginal discharge.”

“Do Not Fear Menopause; Do Not Neglect Your Health.”

Stating that vaginal bleeding after menopause is not normal, Prof. Dr. Ömer Tolga Güler continued: “If this occurs, a doctor must be consulted. It should be remembered that even a single drop of blood or spotting that occurs years after menopause must be investigated.

Not every woman who enters menopause needs to use medication. A woman experiencing mild hot flashes that do not affect her daily life does not necessarily need hormone therapy. However, treatment should be considered for a woman who cannot sleep because of night sweats, feels constantly tired during the day, or experiences a significant decline in her quality of life. Similarly, vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse are not problems women have to endure. Effective treatment options are available for these symptoms. Recurrent urinary tract infections and vaginal complaints associated with menopause should also be evaluated. For women diagnosed with osteoporosis, appropriate treatment should be planned according to their risk of fractures.

Following some studies conducted in previous years, reports suggesting that hormone therapy could increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease caused concern among many women. Today, however, it is known that the benefits and risks of hormone therapy vary depending on a woman’s age, the time elapsed since menopause, her health status, and the type of treatment used. Hormone therapy is not dangerous for every woman. However, no woman should use hormones without medical supervision.

Menopause does not provide protection against HPV infection. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a virus transmitted primarily through sexual contact. Some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. HPV infections do not occur only in young women. HPV infection can also develop after menopause.

Menopause is an inevitable and natural stage of a woman’s life. It should not be regarded as a disease, the end of womanhood, or the beginning of aging.”