Glossary
The words clinicians use, decoded.
Menopause care comes with jargon. Here’s what it all actually means — in plain English.
- Perimenopause
- The transition phase before menopause, when the ovaries gradually and erratically produce less estrogen and progesterone. Typically begins in the 40s and lasts four to eight years, ending 12 months after the final period.
- Menopause
- The point marking the end of menstrual cycles, confirmed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a period. The average age in the US is 51.
- Postmenopause
- The stage of life after menopause is confirmed, lasting the rest of life. Estrogen remains at a stable low level.
- Premature menopause
- Menopause occurring before age 40. Menopause between 40 and 45 is called early menopause. Both warrant dedicated clinical attention.
- Estrogen
- A group of hormones (primarily estradiol before menopause) produced mainly by the ovaries, affecting the reproductive system, brain, bones, skin, heart, and temperature regulation.
- Progesterone
- A hormone produced mainly after ovulation that regulates the menstrual cycle and has calming, sleep-supporting effects. Often the first hormone to decline in perimenopause.
- Testosterone
- An androgen hormone present in women in smaller amounts than in men, contributing to libido, energy, and muscle. Levels decline gradually with age.
- HRT / MHT (Hormone Replacement Therapy / Menopausal Hormone Therapy)
- Treatment that supplements declining hormones — typically estrogen, with a progestogen for women who have a uterus. Appropriateness is an individual clinical decision.
- Vasomotor symptoms (VMS)
- The clinical term for hot flashes and night sweats — symptoms caused by changing estrogen levels affecting the brain’s temperature regulation.
- Hot flash
- A sudden wave of heat, usually across the face, neck, and chest, often with sweating and a racing heart, typically lasting one to five minutes.
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
- The collection of vaginal and urinary changes caused by declining estrogen — dryness, irritation, discomfort with sex, urinary urgency, and recurrent UTIs. Tends to persist without care.
- Dyspareunia
- The medical term for pain during sex, commonly related to GSM after menopause.
- Hypothalamus
- The brain region that regulates body temperature (among other functions). Its sensitivity to estrogen fluctuation is central to hot flashes.
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
- A pituitary hormone that rises as ovarian function declines. Because levels swing during perimenopause, a single FSH test cannot reliably confirm or rule out the transition.
- Anovulatory cycle
- A menstrual cycle in which no egg is released. These become more common in perimenopause and drive irregular cycles and hormone swings.
- Menopausal arthralgia
- Joint pain and stiffness associated with the menopause transition, linked to estrogen’s anti-inflammatory and tissue-supporting effects.
- Paresthesia
- Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations. Occasionally reported during the transition; new or persistent paresthesia always warrants clinical review.
- Formication
- A crawling-skin sensation, occasionally reported during the menopause transition.
- PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
- A severe form of premenstrual mood disturbance. A history of PMDD, significant PMS, or postpartum depression can signal higher sensitivity to perimenopausal hormone swings.
- Compounded medication
- A medication prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy for an individual patient per a clinician’s prescription. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved products.
- Telehealth
- Healthcare delivered remotely — via written intake, messaging, phone, or video — by licensed clinicians, subject to state-by-state regulation.
- Asynchronous care
- Telehealth that doesn’t require a live appointment: you submit structured written information and a licensed clinician reviews it on their side. Some states require a synchronous (live) step before prescribing.
- Cash-pay
- Healthcare paid directly rather than billed through insurance, with prices shown upfront. HSA/FSA funds can typically be used for eligible services.
Educational definitions only — not medical advice. Explore the complete symptom guide or the full library.