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The Menopause Dictionary: A-Z Glossary of Terms
If you feel like your doctor is speaking a different language, you are not alone. The world of menopause is filled with medical jargon, acronyms, and confusing terminology.
We created this glossary to be your "decoder ring." Here is the plain-English explanation for every term you need to know on your journey.
A
Adrenals
Small glands on top of your kidneys. In menopause, as your ovaries retire, your adrenals take over the job of producing small amounts of estrogen. This is why stress (which taxes the adrenals) can make menopause symptoms worse.
Amenorrhea
The medical term for the absence of periods.
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)
A blood test often used to check "ovarian reserve" (how many eggs you have left). Lower levels typically indicate you are closer to menopause.
Androgens
A group of hormones (including testosterone) that play a role in sex drive, muscle mass, and energy. Women have them too!
Anovulation
A cycle where your ovaries do not release an egg. This becomes common in perimenopause and is often the cause of "missed" periods.
B
Bioidentical Hormones
A term often used in marketing to describe hormones that are chemically identical to the ones your body makes. Note: This can refer to both FDA-approved drugs and unregulated custom compounds.
Body-Identical
The preferred medical term for FDA-approved hormones (like patches and micronized progesterone) that mimic natural hormones exactly.
Bone Density Scan (DEXA)
An X-ray test that measures the strength of your bones to check for Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.
Brain Fog
The common sensation of forgetfulness, confusion, or lack of mental clarity during perimenopause. It is caused by the brain’s temporary inability to utilize glucose efficiently as estrogen levels drop.
Breakthrough Bleeding
Unexpected spotting or bleeding that occurs between periods or while on HRT. While common in the first few months of treatment, it should always be checked by a doctor.
C
Climacteric
An older medical term for the entire menopause transition period (Perimenopause through Post-Menopause).
Collagen
The structural protein that keeps skin plump and joints cushioned. Estrogen protects collagen; when estrogen drops, skin becomes drier and joints may ache.
Cortisol
The primary "stress hormone." Without progesterone to buffer it, cortisol often spikes in menopause, leading to belly fat and insomnia.
Compounded Hormones
Custom-mixed hormones made in a pharmacy rather than a factory. Unlike FDA-approved bioidenticals, these are not regulated for safety or potency and are generally discouraged by major menopause societies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A form of psychological therapy proven to reduce the annoyance and intensity of hot flashes and insomnia by retraining the brain’s reaction to physical symptoms.
D
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that leads to the production of androgens and estrogens. It is often used as a vaginal suppository to treat dryness and thinning tissue without systemic side effects.
Dyspareunia
The medical term for painful intercourse. In menopause, this is usually caused by vaginal dryness and thinning tissues.
E
Endocrine Disruptors
Chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products (like BPA or Phthalates) that mimic hormones and can interfere with the body’s natural balance, potentially worsening menopause symptoms.
Endometrium
The lining of the uterus. This is what you shed during a period.
Estradiol (E2)
The most potent form of estrogen produced by the ovaries during your reproductive years. This is the main hormone that drops during menopause.
Estriol (E3)
A weaker form of estrogen, often used in vaginal creams.
Estrone (E1)
The primary form of estrogen produced after menopause (made in body fat). It is weaker than Estradiol.
Estrogen Dominance
A state (common in perimenopause) where progesterone drops but estrogen remains high, causing heavy periods, bloating, and breast tenderness.
Estrobolome
The collection of bacteria in your gut capable of metabolizing and regulating estrogen levels.
F
Formication
A tactile hallucination where it feels like insects (ants) are crawling on or under the skin. It is a result of nerve endings becoming hypersensitive due to low estrogen.
Frozen Shoulder
Also known as Adhesive Capsulitis. A painful condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff and immobile. It is significantly more common in menopausal women due to increased inflammation.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
A hormone produced by the brain to stimulate the ovaries. High FSH levels are a classic sign that the ovaries are shutting down (menopause).
G
GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause)
The modern medical term for "Vaginal Atrophy." It encompasses dryness, burning, painful sex, and urinary issues caused by low estrogen.
H
Hot Flash
A sudden feeling of intense heat, sweating, and flushed skin caused by a disruption in the body's internal thermostat (hypothalamus).
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
Also called MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy). Medication containing estrogen (and often progesterone) used to replace the hormones the body is no longer making.
Hyperplasia
A thickening of the uterine lining (endometrium). This is a risk factor for uterine cancer and is why women with a uterus must take progesterone alongside estrogen to keep the lining thin.
Hypothalamus
The part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat. In menopause, confusing signals cause it to misread body temperature, triggering hot flashes to "cool" you down even when you aren't hot.
I
Induced Menopause
Menopause caused by medical intervention, such as surgery (removing ovaries) or chemotherapy, rather than natural aging. Symptoms are often more sudden and severe.
Insulin Resistance
A condition where cells stop responding to insulin, leading to high blood sugar. Estrogen protects against this; when it drops, women become more prone to insulin resistance and "menopause belly."
K
KNDy Neurons
The specific neurons in the brain that trigger hot flashes. New non-hormonal drugs (like Veozah) work by targeting these neurons directly.
L
Libido
Sexual desire or drive.
Lichen Sclerosus
A chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes patchy, white skin on the vulva. It is often mistaken for GSM/Atrophy but requires different treatment (usually steroid creams).
Lignans
A type of Phytoestrogen found in plants (especially flaxseeds) that can help balance hormone levels.
M
Menopause
Specifically, the point in time when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Metabolic Syndrome
A cluster of conditions—increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels—that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The risk spikes post-menopause.
Micronized Progesterone
A natural form of progesterone (often derived from yams) that is better absorbed by the body and has a calming, sedative effect.
N
NAMS (The Menopause Society)
Formerly the North American Menopause Society. The leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of women during midlife.
Neurokinin B (NKB)
A brain chemical that stimulates the thermostat to trigger a hot flash.
Night Sweats
Severe hot flashes that occur during sleep, often drenching sheets and disrupting sleep cycles.
O
Oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries. This causes immediate surgical menopause.
Osteopenia
The precursor to osteoporosis. It means your bone density is lower than normal, but not yet brittle.
Osteoporosis
A disease where bones become brittle and fragile due to tissue loss, significantly increasing the risk of fractures.
P
Palpitations
The sensation of a racing, pounding, or skipping heartbeat. A common perimenopause symptom caused by the effect of fluctuating hormones on the heart’s electrical system.
Paresthesia
A sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness ("pins and needles") in the extremities, often occurring during a hot flash.
Pelvic Floor Hypertonicity
A condition where the pelvic floor muscles are too tight and cannot relax, often causing painful sex (Vaginismus). It requires relaxation therapy, not Kegels.
Perimenopause
The transitional phase leading up to menopause. It can last 4–10 years and is characterized by irregular cycles and fluctuating symptoms.
Phytoestrogens
Plant-based compounds (found in soy, legumes, flax) that have a weak estrogen-like effect on the body.
POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency)
Menopause that occurs before age 40. This is a medical condition distinct from natural early menopause.
Post-Menopause
The time of life after you have not had a period for 12 months. You remain in this phase for the rest of your life.
Progesterone
The hormone released after ovulation. It prepares the uterus for pregnancy and has a calming effect on the brain. It is usually the first hormone to drop in perimenopause.
Progestin
A synthetic form of progesterone. While it protects the uterus, some women find it causes more side effects (moodiness, bloating) than natural micronized progesterone.
R
Raloxifene
A type of SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) used to treat osteoporosis and reduce breast cancer risk. It mimics estrogen in the bones but blocks it in the breast.
S
Sarcopenia
The involuntary loss of muscle mass associated with aging and low estrogen.
SERMs
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators. Drugs that act like estrogen in some parts of the body (bones) but block estrogen in others (breasts/uterus).
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
A protein produced by the liver that binds to hormones like testosterone. If SHBG levels are too high, your "free" testosterone drops, killing libido.
Systemic HRT
Hormone therapy that enters the bloodstream and circulates through the whole body (e.g., pills, patches). Used for hot flashes and bone protection.
T
Testosterone
A male hormone that women also produce in smaller amounts. It supports libido, energy, and muscle mass.
Thyroid (TSH)
A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. Thyroid disease symptoms (fatigue, weight gain, hair loss) mimic menopause perfectly, so TSH levels are usually tested to rule out thyroid issues.
Transdermal
A method of delivering medication through the skin (e.g., a patch, gel, or spray). This is often the preferred method for estrogen as it bypasses the liver and lowers clot risk.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
An imaging test used to look at the uterus and ovaries. It is often used to measure the thickness of the uterine lining if a woman experiences post-menopausal bleeding.
U
Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Like the vagina, it has estrogen receptors and can thin during menopause, leading to UTIs.
V
Vaginal Atrophy
The older term for the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to less estrogen. Now referred to as GSM.
Vasomotor Symptoms
The medical umbrella term for hot flashes and night sweats.
Veozah (Fezolinetant)
A non-hormonal prescription medication approved by the FDA in 2023 specifically to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes).
W
Withdrawal Bleed
A monthly bleed that mimics a period, caused by taking cyclical HRT (taking progesterone for only part of the month). It is not a "real" period as ovulation has likely not occurred.
