Menopause typically occurs naturally between the ages of 45 and 55 and marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. Once menopause occurs, periods usually stop permanently due to decreasing estrogen levels and the loss of ovarian follicular activity. However, in some cases, menopausal symptoms may temporarily subside before eventually progressing to complete menopause. This is known as the "stopping and starting" of menopause.
There are a few reasons why menopausal symptoms may temporarily improve for some women:
- Ovarian follicles may resume activity and produce more estrogen. This can happen even years after periods have stopped. It essentially "restarts" the menopausal transition.
- Hormone levels can fluctuate significantly during perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms may stop during periods of higher estrogen levels before declining again.
- Some women may not produce enough hormones for regular cycles but still produce small, intermittent amounts. This can temporarily alleviate symptoms.
So in summary:
- Yes, menopausal symptoms can sometimes stop and start again in the years surrounding menopause due to fluctuating or intermittent ovarian activity and hormone levels.
- However, menopause itself - marked by 12 consecutive months without a period - cannot reverse once confirmed. Any resumed periods or halted symptoms after this point mean that menopause was not yet complete.
If your menopausal symptoms seem to come and go, there are a few options you can consider:
- Track your cycles and symptoms to determine if true menopause has occurred or if you are still potentially producing hormones.
- Blood tests to measure your FSH and estradiol levels can also determine where you are at in the menopausal transition.
- Hormone therapy may help stabilize symptoms if fluctuations are significantly impacting your quality of life. Both systemic and low-dose vaginal products can provide relief.
The experienced physicians at
Optimal Hormone Health Center specialize in treating perimenopause and menopause. We provide cutting-edge hormone therapy options, including
bioidentical hormones, to help women feeling frustrated by fluctuating menopausal symptoms. Our personalized care plans help confirm menopausal status and determine the best relief options for your needs.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
I hope this provides some insight into how menopausal symptoms may start and stop before eventually leading to permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle. While menopause itself cannot reverse, the road there is often unpredictable. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
