Bilateral oophorectomy:
Surgery in which both ovaries are removed.
Bioidentical hormones:
Compounds that are marketed for treatment of menopausal symptoms, but are not approved by the FDA.
Dementia:
A deterioration of mental abilities, such as memory, concentration, and decision making. It may also include emotional problems and personality changes.
Endometriosis:
Overgrowth of the lining of the uterus.
Estrogen:
A female sex hormone that helps to maintain female sex characteristics. It can be natural or synthetic. Estrogens are used to treat menstrual and menopausal symptoms. They are also used in oral contraceptives (pills that prevent pregnancy).
Estrogen therapy:
This refers to an estrogen-only treatment for the symptoms of menopause.
Fibroids:
Fibrous tissue that can appear in the uterus or on the ovaries.
Hormones:
Chemicals produced by glands in the body. Hormones control the actions of certain cells or organs.
Hot flashes:
Sensations of heat that may be accompanied by a red, flushed face and perspiration (sweating).
Hysterectomy:
The surgical removal of the uterus. An operation in which the uterus and the ovaries are removed is known as a total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy.
Menopause:
When a woman has not had her period for 12 months, as long as she has not been ill, pregnant, breast-feeding, or using any medicines that can cause her menstrual periods to stop.
Menstrual periods:
The normal monthly cycle of hormonal changes for women, which results in a period each month.
Night sweats:
Hot flashes that occur during the night.
Oophorectomy:
Surgery in which one, or both, of the ovaries is removed. If both ovaries are removed, the procedure is known as a bilateral oophorectomy.
Osteoporosis:
A condition in which a person loses bone mass and density, causing bones to become fragile or "thin."
Ovaries:
Small organs in the pelvis that produce a woman's female hormones and hold her eggs. Most women are born with two ovaries: one on either side of the uterus. The ovaries gradually stop producing estrogen as a woman enters menopause.
Perimenopause:
Refers to the time leading up to menopause, when menstrual periods become irregular.
Plant-derived:
Coming from a plant source.
Postmenopausal:
The period of life following the onset of menopause.
Progesterone:
A female hormone that helps prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg.
Progestin:
A synthetic form of progesterone. (See above.) If a woman still has her uterus, her doctor may prescribe a progestin along with estrogen therapy to help treat menopausal symptoms.
Surgical menopause:
Menopause that results from surgical removal of the ovaries. Whether menopause is surgical or natural, it can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and/or pain with sex.
Uterine cancer:
Cancer of the lining of the uterus.
Uterus:
Also called the womb, the uterus is a small, hollow, pear-shaped organ held by a woman's pelvis. It is where a fetus (unborn young) develops.
Vaginal atrophy:
Thinning of the lining of the vagina due to a decline in estrogen.
Vasomotor symptoms:
Also called hot flashes and night sweats, moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms are the most common symptoms associated with menopause.