Menopause and Women's Health
Menopause is a phase of a woman’s life that occurs during middle age when menstruation stops. Women usually go through menopause around age 51. They may spend decades, or nearly 40% of their lives, in postmenopause.
Spending a large part of life after menopause can affect a woman's heart and brain health. In the United States, nearly half of all adult women, about 67 million people, are 50 or older. About 6,000 women enter menopause every day. This group is expected to grow even more in the coming years, according to U.S. Census data. As more women live longer after menopause, it is important to focus on ways to protect heart health during this stage of life.
What is menopause?
Menopause does not happen all at once. Learn about the stages of menopause, its symptoms and impact on your health.
Does menopause increase heart disease or stroke risk?
Going through menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease. However, a woman’s risk for heart disease and stroke does increase at and around menopause.
How does menopause affect estrogen levels?
Throughout a woman’s life, estrogen levels rise and fall. Estrogen levels are higher during puberty and pregnancy and lower following childbirth, during breastfeeding and after menopause.
Here's information on estrogen and hormone therapy for every woman to discuss with her healthcare team.
Your Health and Menopause
How Can I Stay Healthy Before Menopause?
The years leading up to menopause are a critical time to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Healthy habits adopted before menopause can help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease for the rest of your life.
How Can Early Menopause Affect my Health?
Women who experience menopause at an earlier age have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The timing of menopause can be influenced by many factors.
How Can I Keep My Heart Healthy After Menopause?
After menopause, a woman’s cardiovascular risk is higher than it was in pre-menopausal years.
Understand how menopause can impact your health.
Menopause and Women's Health Infographic
All you need to know about menopause in one infographic to share or download and print.
