Glossary
Menopause glossary
Clear definitions for menopause terms, organised by category - from phases and symptoms to treatment, supplements, and Malaysia-specific context.
Phases & Transition6
- Menopause Menopause is the point in a woman's life when she has gone 12 consecutive months without menstruation, marking the end of ovulation. Average...
- Perimenopausal Fertility Perimenopausal fertility declines progressively but pregnancy is still possible. Ovulation irregular but can occur - many unplanned pregnanc...
- Perimenopause Perimenopause is the transitional phase before official menopause, usually starting in the mid-40s and lasting 4-10 years. During this phase...
- Postmenopause Postmenopause is the phase after menopause, beginning 12 months after the last period and lasting the rest of a woman's life. In this phase,...
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the condition where the ovaries stop functioning before age 40. It differs from normal menopause be...
- Surgical Menopause Surgical menopause occurs after removal of both ovaries (oophorectomy) - typically for ovarian cancer, severe endometriosis, or BRCA prophyl...
Symptoms10
- Brain Fog Brain fog is the combination of cognitive issues common in perimenopause - concentration difficulty, weak short-term memory, slowed informat...
- Cortisol Belly Fat Postmenopausal abdominal fat is often driven by high cortisol (stress hormone) - not just calories. Chronic high cortisol from mid-life stre...
- Hot Flash Trigger Hot flush triggers are factors that set off a hot flush episode. Common triggers for Malaysian women: hot drinks (teh tarik, coffee), spicy ...
- Hot Flush Hot flush is the most common vasomotor symptom in perimenopause and early postmenopause - a sudden sensation of heat in face, neck, and ches...
- Menopausal Insomnia Menopausal insomnia is a common sleep problem in perimenopause and early postmenopause. Three main patterns: (1) sleep-onset difficulty, (2)...
- Menopausal Mood Swings Perimenopausal mood swings are rapid emotional changes - from calm to angry or sad within minutes. Unlike PMS, more frequent and unpredictab...
- Night Sweats Night sweats are hot flushes occurring during sleep, often soaking clothes and bedding. They're a primary cause of sleep disruption in perim...
- Sleep Hygiene Sleep hygiene is the practices and environment that promote quality sleep. For perimenopausal women: 22-24°C bedroom, breathable fabrics, no...
- Vasomotor Symptoms Vasomotor symptoms is a clinical term covering hot flushes and night sweats, symptoms caused by impaired body-temperature regulation from es...
- Weight Gain After 45 Weight gain after 45 is common in perimenopause and postmenopause. Causes: estrogen loss shifts fat to abdomen, muscle mass loss (sarcopenia...
Clinical Terms9
- AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) AMH or Anti-Müllerian Hormone is a marker for ovarian reserve - the quantity of eggs remaining. In perimenopausal women, AMH levels decline ...
- Cortisol Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. In perimenopause, cortisol levels often rise from mid-life stress + hormonal ch...
- DEXA Scan A DEXA scan (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is the gold-standard test for measuring bone mineral density. Results are reported as a T-sco...
- Endometrium Endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus that thickens each menstrual cycle and sheds if no pregnancy. In menopausal women, endometrium...
- Estradiol Estradiol (E2) is the primary form of estrogen in a woman's body during reproductive years. Produced by the ovaries and responsible for most...
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. In perimenopause a...
- FRAX Score FRAX is a 10-year fracture risk calculator developed by the WHO. It considers factors such as age, body mass index, adult fracture history, ...
- Insulin Resistance Insulin resistance is when body cells become less responsive to insulin, causing blood sugar to rise. More common postmenopause due to estro...
- Thrombosis (HRT risk) Thrombosis or blood clots is a primary risk considered in hormone replacement therapy decisions. Oral hormone replacement therapy can slight...
Treatment & Therapy9
- Bioidentical Hormones Bioidentical hormones have the same chemical structure as hormones produced by the human body, typically referring to estradiol and micronis...
- Bisphosphonate Bisphosphonates are osteoporosis medications (alendronate, risedronate, zoledronate). Work by inhibiting osteoclasts (bone-breakdown cells)....
- DHEA DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone precursor - the body converts it to testosterone and estrogen. DHEA levels drop with age. DHEA s...
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be an effective option for moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms after an individualised risk review....
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the modern term for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is increasingly common in international clinic...
- Progesterone Progesterone is the second hormone in hormone replacement therapy, needed for women who still have a uterus to protect the endometrium from ...
- SSRI (Antidepressant) SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are a class of antidepressants also used for menopausal symptoms, especially for women who c...
- Transdermal (HRT patch) Transdermal refers to delivering hormones through the skin using patches (Estradot, Climara) or gel (Oestrogel). Compared to oral hormone re...
- Vaginal Estrogen Vaginal estrogen is a local estrogen treatment in cream, tablet, or ring form. It is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, so systemic ex...
Supplements & Nutrients23
- Biotin (Vitamin B7) Biotin (vitamin B7) is a water-soluble vitamin popular for hair, nails, and skin. For menopausal women with hair loss and brittle nails, bio...
- Black Cohosh Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a North American herb with moderate evidence for hot flushes, especially standardised formulations lik...
- Calcium for Menopausal Women Calcium is the primary mineral for bone health. Ministry of Health Malaysia Osteoporosis CPG 2022 recommends 1000mg/day for postmenopausal w...
- Collagen for Women 40+ Collagen is the primary structural protein in skin, bones, joints, and hair. Collagen production declines ~1% per year after age 30, and dro...
- Equol Equol is a metabolite produced by certain gut bacteria when soy isoflavones are eaten. Only 30-50% of women are 'equol producers' - their ba...
- Evening Primrose Oil Evening primrose oil (EPO) is a popular supplement for menopausal symptoms and PMS, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Clinical evidence fo...
- Isoflavone Isoflavones are phytoestrogen compounds - plant compounds that mildly mimic estrogen. Main sources include soy (genistein, daidzein) and red...
- KSM-66 Ashwagandha KSM-66 is the most clinically-studied ashwagandha root extract - withanolides ≥5%. Moderate evidence for cortisol reduction, energy improvem...
- L-Theanine L-theanine is an amino acid from green tea with calming effects without sedation. For perimenopausal women with anxiety and sleep-onset diff...
- Lycopene Lycopene is a carotenoid (red pigment) in tomatoes and watermelon with strong antioxidant effects. Emerging evidence for breast cancer preve...
- Maca Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian root marketed for libido and energy postmenopause. Evidence is moderate; the Brooks 2008 study showed ...
- Magnesium Glycinate Magnesium glycinate is a form of magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine - high absorption and calming effects. Often discussed for perime...
- Marine Collagen Marine collagen is collagen sourced from fish, usually deep-sea fish skin and bones. Advantages: halal status is usually easier to verify be...
- Melatonin Melatonin is the sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland. Production declines with age, especially postmenopause. Melatonin supplements (...
- Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) Omega-3 are essential fatty acids the body does not produce, including EPA (anti-inflammatory, heart health) and DHA (brain health). After m...
- Phytoestrogen Phytoestrogens are natural plant compounds that mimic estrogen in structure and can interact with the body's estrogen receptors. Include iso...
- Red Clover Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a plant with isoflavones (biochanin A, formononetin) different from soy isoflavones. Clinical evidence fo...
- Saw Palmetto Saw palmetto is a herb with limited evidence for menopausal women - more common for men. Some small studies show effect for androgenetic hai...
- Vitamin D for Menopausal Women Vitamin D (especially D3) is essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immunity, and mood. Although Malaysia is tropical, vitamin D def...
- Vitamin K2 (MK-7) Vitamin K2 in the MK-7 form is important for bone and heart health because it directs calcium to the bones rather than the arteries. Compare...
- Women's Probiotic Women's probiotic is a probiotic formulation with Lactobacillus strains specific for vaginal and urinary tract health (L. rhamnosus GR-1, L....
- Yoga for Menopausal Women Yoga is a useful practice for menopausal women, combining flexibility, strength, balance, and stress management. Yin yoga suits stress manag...
- Zinc Zinc is an essential mineral for immunity, skin health, and wound healing. Menopausal women with low-protein diets can be zinc deficient. Ha...
Sexual Health7
- Dyspareunia Dyspareunia is the clinical term for pain during intercourse. In menopausal women, it is most commonly caused by GSM, where estrogen deficie...
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a modern term covering symptoms from estrogen deficiency in the urinary and genital tract, incl...
- Kegel Exercises (Pelvic Floor) Kegel or pelvic floor exercises are tightening and releasing of pelvic floor muscles - support for bladder, uterus, and rectum. For menopaus...
- Pelvic Floor Pelvic floor is the muscle group supporting bladder, uterus, and rectum. After menopause, pelvic floor weakens from estrogen loss, causing u...
- Postmenopausal Libido Libido or sexual desire often declines postmenopause from a combination of factors: estrogen and testosterone deficiency, vaginal dryness ca...
- Vaginal Lubricant Vaginal lubricant is a product used during intercourse to reduce friction from dryness. Three types: water-based (condom-compatible, easy to...
- Vaginal Microbiome Vaginal microbiome is the bacterial community inhabiting the vaginal tract, dominated by Lactobacillus in reproductive-age women. After meno...
Bone Health4
- Osteopenia Osteopenia is the early stage of bone density loss - T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 on bone density scan. Not a disease itself but a warning ...
- Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease where bone mineral density becomes low and bones become fragile, increasing fracture risk. Postmenopausal women ar...
- Resistance Training Resistance training uses weight (dumbbells, resistance bands, body weight) to stimulate muscle. Strongest strategy to fight sarcopenia (meno...
- Sarcopenia Sarcopenia is progressive loss of muscle mass and strength with age - starts in 30s and accelerates with menopause. Consequences: slowed met...
Malaysia Context14
- DoctorOnCall DoctorOnCall is Malaysia's largest telemedicine platform with active obstetrics and gynaecology specialist network. Menopausal women can con...
- Halal Supplement Certification Halal certification in Malaysia is issued by JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia). For supplements, the certification confirms...
- Kacip Fatimah Kacip fatimah (Labisia pumila) is a traditional Malay herb for women's postpartum and menopausal health. Some Malaysian studies show an effe...
- MAL Number A MAL number is the product registration code with Malaysia's Drug Control Authority, issued by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agenc...
- Malaysian Traditional Medicine Malaysian traditional medicine (TCM, Ayurveda, Malay medicine) offers alternative approaches to menopausal symptoms. Some herbs have evidenc...
- Malaysian Women's Health Insurance Malaysian health insurance policies typically cover hospital admission but outpatient (consultations, tests, hormone replacement therapy) of...
- Mediterranean Diet (Malaysia Version) Mediterranean diet has the strongest evidence for heart and cognitive health postmenopause. Malaysian version: kembung/sardin fish (omega-3)...
- Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) The Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) oversees government health services, klinik kesihatan, specialist hospitals, and screening programmes ...
- Ministry of Health Malaysia Klinik Kesihatan Ministry of Health Malaysia Klinik Kesihatan is a government primary care clinic functioning as the gateway for subsidised health access. Fo...
- MyMammo MyMammo is the Ministry of Health Malaysia subsidised breast cancer screening programme for Malaysian citizen women aged 40 and above. Eligi...
- Persatuan Obstetrik dan Ginekologi Malaysia (Malaysian Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society) Persatuan Obstetrik dan Ginekologi Malaysia (POGM), the Malaysian Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society, publishes clinical guidelines for practi...
- Ramadan Fasting with Menopause Ramadan fasting with menopause symptoms can be challenging - hot flushes worsen with dehydration, and fluctuating blood sugar affects mood. ...
- Speedoc Speedoc is a Malaysian telemedicine platform providing online obstetrics and gynaecology consultations and home visits for women in Klang Va...
- Telemedicine Telemedicine enables Malaysian women to consult obstetrics and gynaecology specialists from home. Platforms include DoctorOnCall, Speedoc, B...