A decrease in bone mass may lead to curvature of the spine, fractures of the vertebrae, loss of height and pain. Many studies have shown that the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, are increased in postmenopausal women. Without estrogen, these tissues start to degenerate, resulting in symptoms of vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, painful urination and incontinence. Menopause is diagnosed primarily by its symptoms. If a woman who is almost 50 years old or older stops menstruating completely, a presumptive diagnosis of menopause can be made without further testing.
Diagnosis is slightly different in a younger woman who has signs and symptoms of menopause.
Special hormonal blood tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will be happy to discuss this with you further. As stated earlier, many of the symptoms and complications of menopause occur as the result of a deficiency in estrogen. HRT can have beneficial effects for many women, but it is not for everyone. For further information, go to our section on hormone replacement therapy .