Patient's question:
I started going through menopause when I was 56, and then my periods became irregular. It's been until March of my 58th year until now, and I haven't had a period at all. I guess I'm not ovulating anymore either. But for safety, my husband and I are still using condoms for contraception. I think it's been over a year now, so it should be fine.Doctor's answer:
Hello, no need for contraception anymore. Menopause refers to the period when ovarian function further declines until it eventually disappears. The ovaries stop releasing eggs every four weeks. Menopause typically occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, and at this time, the ovaries can be permanently surgically removed. According to statistics from foreign sources, women who experience menopause before the age of 40 have a 39% higher risk of death compared to those who experience it between 40 and 44, a 60% higher risk compared to those between 45 and 49, and a 95% higher risk compared to those between 50 and 54.