What is Menopause ?
Menopause is the permanent stoppage of menses in a woman when the function of the ovaries stop.

What are the different types of menopause ?
1. Natural Menopause: When the ovaries stop producing female hormones due to natural ageing. It occurs around 46 - 50 years of age.
2. Surgical Menopause: When the ovaries are removed surgically at any age.

What are ovaries ?
Ovaries are female organs, which are like testes in the males. There are two ovaries, right and left.

What are the functions of the ovaries ?
Ovaries produce eggs and female hormones, which are required for normal menses till 46 to 50 years of age. At this age, all eggs are finished and no more female hormones are produced. This results in menopause. The woman stops having menses even if she has an intact uterus.

Is removal of uterus equal to menopause ?
There will not be any menses after removal of uterus but this is not equal to menopause. Menopause occurs due to stoppage of ovarian hormone production.

Do women go into immediate menopause after hysterectomy ?
No. Surgical menopause occurs only when ovaries are removed surgically. However, many women go into menopause within 2 - 3 years of hysterectomy even if ovaries are not removed during hysterectomy. The exact cause is not known.

What is HRT ?
HRT is Hormone Replacement Treatment. Women take this when there are no female hormones in the body. This can be prescribed after natural menopause or after surgical menopause.

What are the advantages of HRT ?
HRT reduces the hot flushes, night sweats, irritability and mood swings associated with menopause. It also reduces the risk of fracture among women after menopause.

What are the disadvantages of HRT ?
On prolonged use of high dose HRT for more than 10 years, a minimal increase in breast cancer (1 in 1000) has been reported. So nowadays, low doses HRT are prescribed for usually less than 10 years, and regular follow-up with periodic mammography every 2-3 years are recommended.