Your Menopause Questions, Answered

What is menopause?

Heather Wahl, MD: Menopause is defined as a woman going 12 consecutive months, naturally, without a menstrual period.  In the United States, the average age of women in menopause is 52. The time period before menopause is referred to as peri-menopause. On average, women are peri-menopausal for 4-10 years before going through menopause.

Can a woman get pregnant after menopause?

Heather Wahl, MD: No, after a woman is menopausal, she is not able to get pregnant because the significantly reduced functioning of the ovaries which no longer ovulate (release an egg).

How long does menopause typically last?

Heather Wahl, MD: Once a woman goes through menopause (12 months without a period) then they are referred to as post-menopausal. A woman is post-menopausal for the rest of their life.

How to lose weight during menopause?

Heather Wahl, MD: Weight gain in midlife is multifactorial; hormone, physical and lifestyle changes all contribute. Aging is the primary driver of weight gain, but menopause does play a role in redistributing fat in the lower abdomen. When focusing on weight loss, lifestyle changes are the foundation of weight management. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains is key. Protein helps preserve muscle mass and is very important in menopausal women. The goal is at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly, combined with strength training twice a week. Good sleep and stress management have been shown to help maintain a healthy weight. However, if a patient is still struggling to lose weight despite lifestyle changes it is important to speak with a health care provider to determine if medical or surgical management would be reasonable options.

What are the top 3 vitamins for menopause?

Heather Wahl, MD: According to The Menopause Society for osteoporosis prevention, "a daily intake of 1,000 mg to 1,200 mg of calcium is recommended. For women with low dairy intake, supplements of 600 mg calcium daily may be useful (a dairy-free diet usually contains about 300 mg of calcium). Vitamin D supplements of 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU daily are recommended for women known to have osteoporosis and for those at risk for vitamin D deficiency, including marked obesity or gastrointestinal problems affecting absorption. Higher doses of calcium and vitamin D are not helpful." Therefore, these are the two vitamins I recommend for all of my patients. Also, if a patient has vitamin B12 deficiency, then supplementation of vitamin B12 is also recommended. It is important to remember that vitamins and supplements are a billion-dollar industry; however, most have not undergone rigorous testing or studies to recommend use for patients.

How do you know you are in menopause and what stage of menopause you are in?

Heather Wahl, MD: Perimenopause (AKA menopause transition) usually starts in a woman's 40s and on average can last 4-10 years. It is typically characterized by irregular periods as well as hot flashes and mood swings. Once you have gone 12-months without menses (a period) you are menopausal. After a woman becomes menopausal then she is referred to a post-menopausal. Symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings can persist even after a woman is post-menopausal.

Are UTIs common during menopause?

Heather Wahl, MD: Post-menopausal women are at an increased risk of UTIs due to the loss of estrogen at menopause that leads to genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM includes bothersome vaginal, vulvar (lips of the vagina) and urinary symptoms that can affect quality of life, sexual satisfaction and sexual activity with a partner. This is why according to the 2025 American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines, the first-line recommendation for treating and preventing recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women with GSM is low dose localized vaginal estrogen.

What can be done about hair loss during menopause?

Heather Wahl, MD: Hair loss is also a billion-dollar industry! Unfortunately, treatments for the most part are limited. We have the most research about Rogaine (minoxidil). I do warn patients about the excess shedding that can happen the first 2 weeks after starting Rogaine.

I encourage all of my patients to visit The Menopause Society website for up‑to‑date, evidence‑based information, as there is a significant amount of misinformation and disinformation online. The organization also offers a MenoNote handout focused on the misinformation surrounding hormone therapy, which I provide to nearly all of my new patients.

Unfortunately, many people have been incorrectly counseled that menopause hormone therapy is a “fountain of youth” that will resolve all menopausal symptoms, which is not the case for most patients. The primary purpose of menopausal hormone therapy is the treatment of bothersome vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Looking for personalized support during menopause?

Learn more about Trinity Health Michigan’s menopause and perimenopause care and connect with experts who understand your needs.

Explore Care