Menopause 101 · Vyta MenoClinic
Everything you need
to know about
menopause.
Written by Vyta physicians. Evidence-based. Jargon-free. Because understanding what's happening in your body is the first step to feeling better.
The Basics
What is menopause,
really?
Menopause is a single point in time: the moment that marks 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It's not a disease — it's a natural biological transition that every woman with ovaries will experience.
What we colloquially call "menopause" is actually a spectrum — perimenopause (the years of transition before), menopause (the moment), and postmenopause (everything after).
The symptoms that disrupt life — hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, mood swings, sleep loss — are caused by the erratic fluctuation and eventual decline of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
By the Numbers
51
Average age of menopause in the US
35–40
Age perimenopause often begins
4–10 yrs
Average duration of perimenopause
1.1M
Women entering menopause every year in the US
34
Recognized symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
The Three Stages
Understanding the full
hormonal journey.
Typically 35–51
Perimenopause
The transition phase before menopause. Hormone levels begin fluctuating — estrogen rises and falls erratically, progesterone starts declining. This is when most symptoms begin.
Common Symptoms
- · Irregular periods
- · Hot flashes
- · Sleep disruption
- · Mood changes
- · Brain fog
- · Low libido
Averages 4–10 years
Learn More →Average age 51
Menopause
Defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This marks the official end of reproductive hormones cycling. It's a single point in time, not a prolonged phase.
Common Symptoms
- · Hot flashes peak
- · Vaginal dryness
- · Night sweats
- · Bone loss begins
- · Mood instability
- · Weight shifts
A single moment in time
Learn More →Age 51+ ongoing
Postmenopause
Everything after menopause. Hormone levels settle at a consistently low level. Symptoms may ease for some women — but the health risks of sustained estrogen deficiency increase over time.
Common Symptoms
- · GSM
- · Accelerated bone loss
- · Cardiovascular risk rises
- · Skin changes
- · Cognitive risk
- · Urinary changes
The rest of your life
Learn More →The Hormones Involved
What's happening
inside your body.
Estrogen
Role: Regulates temperature, mood, memory, bone density, skin health, vaginal tissue, and heart function.
When it declines: Causes hot flashes, brain fog, vaginal dryness, bone loss, and cardiovascular risk.
Progesterone
Role: Promotes sleep, reduces anxiety, balances estrogen's effects, and regulates the menstrual cycle.
When it declines: Causes sleep disruption, anxiety, irregular bleeding, and mood instability.
Testosterone
Role: Drives libido, energy, muscle mass, motivation, and cognitive clarity.
When it declines: Causes low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, and reduced motivation and focus.
Thyroid
Role: Controls metabolism, energy production, temperature regulation, and weight management.
When it declines: Amplifies many menopause symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and cold intolerance.
Common Questions
Answered Plainly
Ready to get a
proper diagnosis?
Our physicians will run a comprehensive hormone panel, review your full symptom history, and tell you exactly where you are in your menopause journey — and what to do about it.