Glossary Of Terms
Welcome to the Menopause Glossary
Let’s be honest, cutting through all the medical jargon is one of the hardest parts of this journey. Words like estrogen, progesterone, or atrophic vaginitis (yep, that’s a real one) can leave you more confused than clear.
When I began my own research, I realised how much I needed a straightforward, accessible resource to make sense of it all. That's why I created this Menopause Glossary. A thoughtfully designed tool to support you as you read books, articles, and studies related to menopause and hormonal health.
A quick-reference guide that makes menopausal language feel less like a science lesson and more like something you can actually understand and relate to.
This glossary breaks down common terms, symptoms, and treatments into simple, everyday language PLUS a few infographics for you visual learners. It's not exhaustive (yet!), so if you spot something missing, let me know and I’ll add it in.
While you’ll see terms like “women” and “female” throughout (especially in medical definitions) please know this Glossary, and The Hormone Harmony Network as a whole, is created with inclusivity in mind.
Menopause isn’t one-size-fits-all, and support should reflect that. However this experience is showing up for you, you belong here.
Uncomplicate it. One word at a time.
Perimenopause
The start of your natural journey to menopause. Your body's production of key female hormones estrogen and progesterone start to decline at an unpredictable rate. Think rollercoaster rather than down a steep hill. It usually begins in women in their 40s and can last from 2-10 years before menopause.
Perimenopause Symptoms
There are approximately 34 recognised symptoms of perimenopause which can be physical, emotional, and cognitive. These symptoms can vary widely and can happen in different combinations and intensities. Up to 80% of women experience symptoms during this time, with common ones including hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and fatigue
Menopause
The grand finale of your menstrual journey! Officially ONE day marked by 12 consecutive months without having a period. It typically happens between 45 and 55 years of age.
Post Menopause
The time after menopause, where periods your are HERhistory! While some symptoms may stick around now is the time to focus on long-term health and embrace the freedom that comes with this new phase of your life.
Estrogen
The star of the hormonal show! Estrogen supports your brain, bones, heart, skin, mood, and more. It rises and falls throughout your cycle but during perimenopause, those swings get bigger and more unpredictable. Eventually, estrogen levels decline, which is what brings on many of the symptoms we associate with menopause. Hot flashes to vaginal dryness to mood shifts.
Progesterone
One of the key female sex hormones and estrogen’s calming sidekick. Progesterone helps regulate your cycle, supports sleep, and keeps mood more stable. As levels drop in perimenopause, you might notice more anxiety, disrupted sleep, or irregular periods. It’s often the first hormone to dip, nudging the body into the start of the menopause transition.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
A treatment that supplements your body with estrogen and/or progesterone to help manage tougher menopause symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues, mood changes, and more. HRT is prescribed by a doctor and can be taken as pills, patches, gels, or creams, in different combinations depending on your needs.HRT isn’t about “anti-aging” it’s about improving quality of life. Risks vary depending on your age, health history, and when you start, so it’s a personal decision best made with a provider who really understands menopause.
Hot Flashes
That sudden whoosh of heat out of nowhere! Your face, neck and chest burning up, often followed by sweating or chills. Caused by shifting estrogen levels that confuse your body’s internal thermostat. They can last seconds or minutes and show up day or night Often accompanied by sweating, a rapid heartbeat. Common triggers are; hot weather/environments, being overheated, heavy clothing, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, spicy foods or stress. A hallmark of the menopausal transition and most talked about.
Night Sweats
Hot flashes that crash your sleep party. Another vasomotor symptom. Repeated nights of suddenly feeling very hot in the night and heavy sweating leaving you, your nightclothes and bedding soaked. Managing room temperature and stress can help keep these nighttime disruptions at bay.
Brain Fog
A cognitive symptom creating forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and just an overall mental fuzziness. It can affect how our brain functions and often leaves us feeling silly, frustrated and worried about our mental health. The good news? It’s common, and for most people, it’s temporary. Now, where are my keys....?
Mood Swings
Not a stranger to many women and YES it is those hormones that can leave us swinging from not caring about anything to white hot rage and everything in between. Your mood can change as quickly as it started. Are we laughing or crying? Who knows! It can be exhausting riding this emotional rollercoaster.
Vaginal Dryness
Also known as Atrophic Vaginitis. Thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to decreased estrogen, leading to dryness and discomfort. The vaginal tissue are losing its elasticity and moisture and cause irritation and needing to pee more often.
Phytoestrogens
Plant-based compounds found in foods that mimic estrogen in the body. They're nature's way of giving you a gentle hormonal boost. Foods like soy and flaxseeds.
Surgical Menopause
This is when both of your ovaries are removed during surgery (oophorectomy) leading to the sudden loss of estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal changes happen very quickly after and immediate onset of menopause which can lead to experiencing symptoms more intensely.
Early Menopause
This is when your periods stop before the age of 45 (you reach the menopause). This can be due to genetics or physiological or environmental factors like stress or a health issues.
Menopause Myth #5
Menopause means the end of your sex life.
Truth:
It doesn’t have to! While vaginal dryness and libido changes are common, solutions like lubricants, pelvic health exercises, and hormone therapy can help.
Menopause Myth
Menopause ruins your mood and turns you into someone else.
Truth:
Sure, hormones can stir things up in a big way. Mood swings, irritability, anxiety but you’re not broken or ‘losing yourself.’ These shifts are real but temporary, and with the right support, they can be smoothed out so you don't feel like an emotional YO-YO.
You’re still you underneath it all perhaps now a stronger more braver, unapologetic version of you.
Estrone (E1)
One of the three types of estrogen (alongside estradiol and estriol). It’s the weaker form that takes over after menopause, made mostly in body fat instead of the ovaries. While not as powerful as estradiol, estrone still helps keep your hormonal balance ticking along in postmenopause.
Testosterone
Yep, women have it too and it matters. Testosterone supports your libido, energy, mood, muscle strength, and confidence. Levels naturally decline with age, especially in perimenopause and menopause. When it dips too low, you might feel more tired, flat, or just not quite yourself. It’s one of those lesser-talked-about hormones, but it plays a quiet power role. As levels decline, it can affect vitality and sexual desire.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
A general term for conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. After menopause, your risk goes up partly because estrogen’s protective effect fades. Blood vessels lose some elasticity, LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) tends to rise, and HDL (the ‘good’ one) can drop. It’s a good time to check in on heart health.Not just to prevent disease, but to protect your energy, stamina, and staying strong in the long run.
Osteoporosis
A condition where bones become weak and brittle due to decreased bone density which is a measure of bone strength. It increases the risk of fractures most commonly in hips, spine and wrists. Often there are no symptoms or pain as this "silent" disease progresses until a fracture or break happens.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
This covers various conditions with symptoms relating to bladder and bowels; incontinence, constipation, when you pee when you cough, jump, sneeze or LAUGH! It's when you're unable to to fully relax and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles. It also includes pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain.
Visceral Fat
Belly fat, meno belly... can show up more around our middles from our 40s and beyond. Often without gaining weight anywhere else. As estrogen drops, this deeper fat around our organs increases from 5–8% to 10–15% of total body weight. Add in a natural decline in muscle mass, your body burns fewer calories, even at rest. It's not just about looks visceral fat can also affect heart and metabolic health.
Cortisol
Your main stress hormone. It gets you through busy days, deadlines, and sudden chaos but when it’s high all the time, it can mess with sleep, hunger, and even fat storage. During menopause, your body becomes more sensitive to stress, so keeping cortisol in check is essential for feeling balanced.
Sleep Disturbances
You’re exhausted… but can’t sleep? Welcome to the paradox of perimenopause. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and melatonin all play a role in your sleep-wake cycle—and when they shift, sleep can feel broken. You might wake up hot, anxious, or just wide-eyed at 3 a.m. Add to that the late-night scrolling or revenge bedtime procrastination (you stay up to reclaim time for yourself), and it’s no wonder sleep feels off.
Insulin Resistance
Your body’s ability to manage blood sugar becomes less efficient as estrogen declines. It’s like your cells stop opening the door for insulin, so sugar stays in your bloodstream longer and your body stores it as fat, often around your middle. You may not notice it at first, but it can affect energy, cravings, weight, and long-term health. Small daily tweaks in food, movement, and stress can make a big difference.
Vasomotor Symptoms
The medical name for those infamous hot flushes and night sweats. As estrogen drops, the nerves controlling your blood vessels can misfire, making you feel suddenly hot, sweaty, or even chilled. It’s your body’s thermostat acting up frustrating, yes, but there are ways to manage it.