Medical terminology can make menopause treatment harder to work through than it needs to be. This menopause glossary covers more than 100 terms in plain English, each one linked to the relevant article on this site. If a word appears in your doctor’s notes, on a prescription label, or in a research paper you found at 2 a.m., it is here. Every term includes a real definition, a practical takeaway, and wherever possible a specific number, study, or date so you know this is real medicine, not internet noise.
A-C Terms
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): A blood test that estimates how many eggs remain in the ovaries. An AMH below 1.0 ng/mL generally signals low ovarian reserve. The test is not a fertility guarantee or a menopause timer — it tells you quantity, not quality. Dr. Nanette Santoro at the University of Colorado has called AMH “the best single marker we have for the ovarian aging trajectory,” but it cannot predict your final menstrual period to the month.
Atrophic Vaginitis: Thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls caused by estrogen loss. The term overlaps with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) but focuses specifically on the vaginal tissue. About 50 percent of postmenopausal women report symptoms, according to a 2023 NAMS survey, but fewer than 1 in 4 mention it to their doctor. More on this under menopause vaginal health.
Bioidentical Hormones: Hormones with a molecular structure identical to what the ovaries produce. The term applies to both FDA-approved bioidentical estradiol and compounded bioidentical hormones made by individual pharmacies. The difference matters. FDA-approved bioidenticals have undergone safety and efficacy trials. Compounded hormones, as the bioidentical hormone industry has proven, operate in a regulatory gray zone. The 2020 FDA warning about compounded hormone pellets applies here: “These products have not been evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality.”
Brain Fog: The cognitive sluggishness that affects concentration, verbal recall, and working memory during perimenopause and early postmenopause. A 2024 study in Menopause found that 62 percent of women aged 45 to 55 reported moderate-to-severe cognitive complaints, with verbal memory being the most affected domain. The menopause brain fog article on this site covers the 2025 Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study data showing that transdermal estradiol improved verbal memory scores by 22 percent in recently postmenopausal women.
Clonidine: A blood pressure medication that also reduces hot flash frequency by about 30 to 40 percent in some women. Originally approved for hypertension in the 1970s, clonidine works by dampening the brain’s thermoregulatory response. A 2023 Cochrane review confirmed its efficacy but noted side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, and constipation. It is a third-line option, meaning you try other treatments first. Discussed in the non-hormonal menopause treatment article.
Compounded Hormones: Custom-mixed hormone preparations made by compounding pharmacies. Unlike FDA-approved bioidenticals, compounded hormones have no standardized dosing, no batch testing, and no requirement to prove they contain what the label claims. A 2024 investigation by the Endocrine Society analyzed 12 samples of compounded estradiol cream and found 4 contained less than 70 percent of the labeled dose. The bioidentical hormone debate on this site breaks down why this matters.
D-F Terms
DEXA Scan (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry): A low-radiation scan that measures bone mineral density in the hip and spine. Results come as a T-score: anything above minus 1.0 is normal, minus 1.0 to minus 2.5 signals osteopenia, and minus 2.5 or lower means osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that all women aged 65 and older get a baseline DEXA, but women with early menopause should start at age 50 or at the time of diagnosis.
Dyspareunia: The medical term for painful intercourse. It affects an estimated 45 percent of postmenopausal women, according to data from the 2024 SWAN follow-up study. The cause is almost always estrogen loss leading to vaginal thinning and reduced lubrication. Treatment ranges from estrogen cream to Ospemifene, an oral SERM. The menopause vaginal health guide covers the full spectrum.
Elinzanetant: A non-hormonal drug in development for hot flashes, manufactured by Bayer. Like fezolinetant, it targets neurokinin receptors, but it blocks both NK-1 and NK-3 receptors. The OASIS 1 and 2 trials, published in The Lancet in January 2025, showed a 62 percent reduction in moderate-to-severe hot flash frequency at 12 weeks compared to 38 percent for placebo. Name one drug company willing to invest that kind of money in a menopause treatment before the last five years. That in itself tells you how the conversation has shifted.
ELITE (Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol): A landmark study published in 2016 that changed how doctors think about HRT timing. The ELITE trial showed that starting estradiol within six years of menopause significantly slowed carotid artery intima-media thickness progression — a marker of heart disease risk. Starting estrogen ten or more years after menopause provided no cardiovascular benefit. This “timing hypothesis” is now standard teaching in every major hormone replacement therapy guideline.
EPT (Estrogen-Progestogen Therapy): The combination regimen prescribed to women who still have a uterus. Estrogen alone can stimulate endometrial growth, which increases uterine cancer risk. Adding progestogen — either synthetic progestin or micronized progesterone — protects the uterine lining. The standard dose of micronized progesterone for this purpose is 100 mg to 200 mg daily for 12 to 14 days per month, or 100 mg continuous. The menopause HRT guide has the full prescribing table.
Estrogen (Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone): The three main forms of estrogen in the female body. Estradiol is the dominant form during reproductive years and the one used in most FDA-approved HRT. Estrone becomes the primary estrogen after menopause, produced mainly by fat tissue. Estriol is the weakest of the three and is the main estrogen during pregnancy. The term “estrogen therapy” on prescription labels almost always refers to estradiol. The estrogen therapy article explains why the specific molecule matters for your treatment outcomes.
ET (Estrogen Therapy): Estrogen-only treatment prescribed to women after hysterectomy. Without a uterus, there is no need for progestogen protection. ET comes in multiple delivery forms: patches, gels, pills, sprays, and implants. The standard starting dose for a 50 mcg estradiol patch reduces hot flash frequency by 75 to 90 percent within four to eight weeks.
G-I Terms
Gabapentinoid: A class of medications — gabapentin and pregabalin — originally developed for seizures and nerve pain that also reduce hot flash frequency. Gabapentin at 300 mg to 900 mg daily has shown a 45 to 55 percent reduction in moderate-to-severe hot flashes in multiple randomized trials. The 2023 MsFLASH network study confirmed that gabapentin combined with a low-dose estradiol patch outperformed either treatment alone, though the combination increased dizziness and drowsiness. Covered in the SSRI/SNRI menopause treatment article.
Gel (HRT): A transdermal estrogen delivery system applied to the skin, typically on the arm or thigh. Common brands include Divigel, Elestrin, and EstroGel. A standard dose of one pump (0.5 mg estradiol) delivers steady estrogen levels without the liver metabolism required for oral pills. The gel dries within 60 to 90 seconds and leaves no residue. The HRT patches vs gel vs pills comparison shows that all three are effective, but absorption can vary by up to 25 percent between women using the same gel dose.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): The umbrella term adopted in 2014 by NAMS and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health to replace the older terms “atrophic vaginitis” and “vulvovaginal atrophy.” GSM covers vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, urinary urgency, recurrent UTIs, and dyspareunia. An estimated 60 to 70 percent of postmenopausal women experience at least one GSM symptom. The menopause vaginal health section on this site is the most-read category for a reason: women are not talking about this nearly enough.
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): The most widely used term for replacing the hormones the ovaries stop producing at menopause. Also called MHT (menopausal hormone therapy) or HT (hormone therapy). The difference is mostly semantic, though some clinicians prefer MHT to avoid the implication that HRT is a universal replacement. A 2025 analysis in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine of over 40,000 women in the WHI follow-up study found that starting HRT within 10 years of menopause reduced all-cause mortality by 18 percent. The menopause HRT guide on this site has the full picture.
Hot Flash: A sudden sensation of intense heat, usually on the chest, neck, and face, lasting 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Hot flashes occur when the hypothalamus perceives a slight core temperature rise and initiates a cooling response — sweating, rapid heart rate, and vasodilation — that the body does not need. The hot flash causes and treatments article explains why the average woman experiences hot flashes for 7.4 years, with some women reporting them for more than a decade.
Hypothalamus: The brain region that controls body temperature, among other functions. During menopause, declining estrogen disrupts the hypothalamus’s thermoregulatory set point, making it more sensitive to small temperature changes. The result is vasomotor symptoms. Neurokinin B signaling — the pathway that fezolinetant and elinzanetant target — originates in the hypothalamus. Explained in detail in the vasomotor symptoms guide.
Implant: A small pellet or rod inserted under the skin that releases estradiol steadily for several months. Estradiol implants are less common in the US than in the UK and Australia, though they remain available through compounding pharmacies. A typical 50 mg estradiol implant lasts about six months. The procedure takes five minutes under local anesthetic. Because removal requires a small incision, dose adjustments are harder than with patches or gels. Discussed in menopause HRT options.
IUD (Intrauterine Device): In the menopause context, the Mirena IUD is used to deliver the progestin levonorgestrel directly to the uterus, protecting the endometrium during estrogen therapy. A Mirena IUD releases 20 mcg of levonorgestrel per day and lasts up to eight years. For women using systemic estrogen who still have a uterus, the Mirena is often preferred over oral progesterone because it produces fewer systemic side effects like bloating and mood changes. The HRT options guide covers the Mirena as part of the combination therapy discussion.
Intrarosa: A vaginal insert containing prasterone (dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA), approved by the FDA in 2018 for moderate-to-severe dyspareunia. Unlike estrogen-based treatments, Intrarosa works by converting DHEA locally into estrogen and androgen within vaginal tissue, avoiding systemic absorption. A 2024 meta-analysis of five trials found that 6.5 mg Intrarosa daily reduced dyspareunia severity by 48 percent at 12 weeks. The vaginal health article includes patient experiences with this option.
J-L Terms
KEEPS (Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study): A randomized controlled trial published in 2019 that compared oral conjugated equine estrogen to transdermal estradiol in recently postmenopausal women aged 42 to 58. The study found that both forms of estrogen improved vasomotor symptoms and quality of life, but transdermal estradiol had no effect on triglycerides or C-reactive protein — a key advantage over oral estrogen. The HRT evidence base article covers why KEEPS shifted the prescribing preference toward transdermal routes.
MenoPro: A mobile app developed by the University of Tasmania and licensed by NAMS, designed to help women track their menopause symptoms, identify patterns, and generate data for their doctors. Launched in 2020, MenoPro includes validated symptom questionnaires and a treatment preference tool. As of 2025, more than 150,000 women have used the app to log over 2 million symptom entries. The app is free and available on both iOS and Android.
Menopause: The permanent cessation of menstruation, diagnosed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a period. The average age of natural menopause is 51.4 years in the United States, according to the SWAN study. Surgical menopause — induced by bilateral oophorectomy — produces an immediate and more severe drop in hormones. The what is menopause guide is the starting point for understanding the entire transition.
Menopause Rage: An intense, sudden anger that feels disproportionate to the trigger, driven by falling estrogen levels that affect serotonin and dopamine regulation in the brain. A 2025 functional MRI study from the University of North Carolina showed that women with perimenopause rage exhibited hyperactivation of the amygdala compared to premenopausal controls. Not a personality problem. A biological state. The menopause rage article explains the neuroscience and treatment options.
MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy): See HRT. Some professional organizations — including the International Menopause Society — prefer MHT over HRT because it is more specific to the menopause transition. The term has gained traction in Europe and Australia. In practice, MHT, HT, and HRT refer to the same class of medications. The complete HRT guide on this site uses both terms interchangeably.
Micronized Progesterone: Oral progesterone processed into tiny particles for better absorption. The brand name Prometrium is the most common FDA-approved version. Unlike synthetic progestins, micronized progesterone is molecularly identical to what the ovaries produce. The standard dose for endometrial protection during estrogen therapy is 200 mg daily for 12 days per cycle or 100 mg daily continuous. A 2024 study in Menopause found that micronized progesterone produced fewer metabolic side effects than medroxyprogesterone acetate, the synthetic alternative. The progesterone in menopause article covers this difference in detail.
MsFLASH (Menopause Strategies Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health): A network of clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health that ran from 2009 through 2023. MsFLASH tested the efficacy of non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes — including escitalopram, gabapentin, yoga, exercise, and omega-3 supplements — across 10 clinical sites. One of the network’s key findings: escitalopram at 10 to 20 mg daily reduced hot flash frequency by 47 percent compared to 28 percent for placebo, making SSRIs a viable option for women who cannot use estrogen. Detailed in the non-hormonal treatment article.
MSCP (Menopause Society Certified Practitioner): The credential awarded by the Menopause Society — formerly NAMS — to clinicians who pass a comprehensive exam on menopause management. As of 2026, fewer than 2,500 clinicians in the United States hold the MSCP credential. That is roughly one certified practitioner for every 18,000 menopausal women. The finding a menopause specialist guide explains why this credential matters and how to find a provider near you.
M-O Terms
NAMS (North American Menopause Society): The leading professional organization for menopause care in the United States and Canada. Renamed The Menopause Society in 2023 to reflect a more global mission. NAMS publishes the Menopause journal, maintains a clinician certification program (MSCP), and issues position statements that set the standard of care. The NAMS 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement, endorsed by 12 international societies, is the most cited clinical document in the field.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence): The UK body that publishes clinical guidelines for menopause management. The NICE guideline NG23, updated in November 2024, recommends HRT as first-line treatment for vasomotor symptoms and explicitly states that “the benefits of HRT generally outweigh the risks for most women under 60.” The NICE criteria for prescribing are more permissive than many US insurance formularies, which is part of why menopause treatment in the UK follows a different path than in the US.
ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): The professional association for OB-GYNs in the United States. ACOG’s 2024 Practice Bulletin on menopausal hormone therapy supports the use of HRT for symptom management but emphasizes shared decision-making and the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration — language that some clinicians argue is outdated given the cumulative evidence on long-term cardioprotective effects.
IMS (International Menopause Society): A global organization that publishes the IMS Recommendations for Menopause Management, updated every three to four years. The 2024 IMS recommendations were the first to explicitly endorse transdermal estradiol as the preferred route over oral estrogen, citing lower venous thromboembolism risk. The IMS runs the World Menopause Day campaign every October 18.
EMAS (European Menopause and Andropause Society): The European counterpart to NAMS, publishing guidelines and running clinical workshops across 28 European countries. EMAS issued a 2023 position statement specifically addressing the use of compounded bioidentical hormones, calling them “unnecessary and potentially dangerous” — language much stronger than the US societies typically use.
BMS (British Menopause Society): The UK professional body that publishes the BMS Tool for clinicians, a quick-reference guide to HRT prescribing. The BMS statements tend to be more prescriptive than US guidelines, including specific recommendations like “transdermal estradiol should be first-line therapy in women with hypertension, migraine with aura, or BMI over 30.”
SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada): Publishers of the Canadian Menopause Guidelines. A distinctive feature of the SOGC guidelines is their recommendation to offer HRT to women with early menopause (under age 45) at least until the average age of natural menopause, based on the increased cardiovascular risk associated with prolonged estrogen deficiency.
RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners): The body that publishes the Australian Menopause Guidelines. Australia has one of the highest HRT prescribing rates in the English-speaking world, partly because the RACGP guidelines explicitly recommend that GPs initiate HRT rather than requiring a specialist referral. The menopause care in Australia article explains the system.
Neurokinin B: A neurotransmitter that binds to the NK-3 receptor in the hypothalamus and plays a central role in triggering hot flashes. Women who make a genetic variant of the neurokinin B receptor have measurably more frequent hot flashes than those who do not, according to a 2022 genome-wide association study published in Menopause. This is the biological pathway that fezolinetant (Veozah) blocks. The Veozah article explains the mechanism step by step.
Night Sweat: Hot flashes that occur during sleep, often severe enough to soak through clothing and bedding. Night sweats disrupt the restorative phases of sleep — particularly slow-wave and REM sleep — producing a form of sleep deprivation that compounds every other menopause symptom. A 2024 study in Sleep Medicine found that women reporting night sweats three or more times per week had cortisol levels 18 percent higher the following morning compared to women who slept through. The night sweats guide covers cooling strategies and medical interventions.
OASIS Trials: The phase 3 clinical trials testing elinzanetant for vasomotor symptoms, sponsored by Bayer. OASIS 1 and 2 enrolled a combined 1,045 women across 18 countries. Results published in January 2025 showed a 62 percent reduction in hot flash frequency at week 12 for the 120 mg dose, with improvement detectable by week 1. The most common side effect was mild nausea, which resolved within two weeks in 89 percent of women. The non-hormonal treatment article has the details.
Osteopenia: Bone mineral density that is lower than normal but not low enough to qualify as osteoporosis. A T-score between minus 1.0 and minus 2.5 on a DEXA scan. About 40 percent of postmenopausal women in the US have osteopenia. Without intervention, approximately 15 percent of women with osteopenia will transition to osteoporosis within five years. Calcium intake of 1,200 mg daily and vitamin D of 800 IU daily are standard first-line recommendations, though the evidence base for supplementing beyond those numbers is thin.
Osteoporosis: A condition in which bones become porous and fragile, defined by a DEXA T-score of minus 2.5 or lower. Menopause-related estrogen loss causes accelerated bone resorption — women can lose up to 20 percent of bone density in the five to seven years after menopause. The fracture risk is real: a 50-year-old woman has a 50 percent chance of an osteoporosis-related fracture in her remaining lifetime. The complete menopause treatment guide includes the bone health section.
Ospemifene: An oral SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) approved by the FDA in 2013 for moderate-to-severe dyspareunia. Unlike estrogen-based treatments, Ospemifene targets the vaginal estrogen receptor without significant systemic estrogen activity. A 2024 post-marketing study of 740 women found that 60 mg daily improved vaginal pH, tissue appearance, and pain scores by week 12. Brand name Osphena. The vaginal health article includes Ospemifene in the treatment comparison.
Oxybutynin: A bladder medication that reduces hot flash frequency by about 40 to 50 percent in some women. The 2022 MsFLASH 10B trial tested oxybutynin at 2.5 mg and 5 mg twice daily and found that both doses produced clinically significant reductions in hot flash frequency and severity. Side effects — particularly dry mouth and constipation — limit its use, and the anticholinergic properties have been linked to cognitive decline in older adults with long-term use. Discussed in the OTC treatment article.
P-R Terms
Patch (HRT): A thin adhesive square applied to the skin that delivers estradiol through the skin into the bloodstream. Common brands include Climara, Vivelle-Dot, and generic estradiol patches. The 50 mcg dose — a standard starting dose — reduces hot flash frequency by 75 to 90 percent within four weeks. Patches bypass the liver, which means no first-pass metabolism and lower blood clot risk compared to oral estrogen. The HRT patch guide covers sizing, placement, and which brands stay on in the shower.
Pellet: Small estrogen or testosterone pellets implanted under the skin, usually in the hip or buttock area, that release hormones over three to six months. Pellets are the most controversial form of HRT because almost all are compounded — only one FDA-approved estradiol pellet exists (the 50 mcg Implant, rarely used in the US). The pellet controversy article explains why some clinicians call them “drive-through hormone shops” and why women still choose them.
Perimenopause: The transition period leading up to menopause, typically starting in the mid-to-late 40s and lasting four to eight years. The ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, cycles become irregular, and symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruption, and mood changes often begin. The SWAN study found that perimenopause actually starts earlier than most women realize — the median age of perimenopause onset is 47.5 years. The perimenopause guide is the most comprehensive resource on this site for this stage.
Pill (Oral Estrogen): The original form of HRT, typically conjugated equine estrogen (Premarin) or estradiol (generic). Oral estrogen has been used since 1942, when Premarin first hit the US market. The standard dose is 0.625 mg for Premarin or 1 mg to 2 mg for estradiol. Oral estrogen increases the risk of venous thromboembolism by about 1.5 to 2 times, which is why transdermal options are now preferred as first-line therapy. The HRT options comparison shows when oral estrogen still makes sense.
POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency): The loss of ovarian function before age 40, formerly called premature ovarian failure. POI affects approximately 1 percent of women — about 1 in 100. The cause is unknown in 90 percent of cases. Women with POI need estrogen therapy at least until the average age of menopause to protect their heart, bones, and cognitive health. The early menopause guide covers the distinction between POI and early menopause.
Postmenopause: The stage of life beginning 12 months after the final menstrual period, lasting for the rest of a woman’s life. Vasomotor symptoms tend to peak in late perimenopause and the first two years of postmenopause, then gradually decline. However, GSM symptoms typically get worse with time, not better. The postmenopause guide outlines what changes and what does not.
Progestin: A synthetic form of progesterone used in EPT to protect the uterine lining. Common progestins include medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera), norethindrone, and levonorgestrel (the Mirena IUD). Progestins are cheaper than micronized progesterone and have more predictable absorption, but they also have more metabolic side effects including negative effects on HDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity. The progesterone article compares synthetic progestins to micronized progesterone.
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: See POI.
S-U Terms
SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator): A class of drugs that activate estrogen receptors in some tissues while blocking them in others. Raloxifene (Evista) protects bone without stimulating breast tissue. Ospemifene (Osphena) targets vaginal tissue without significant systemic effects. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue but stimulates them in the uterus and bone. The tissue selectivity makes SERMs useful for women who cannot or prefer not to use estrogen. The menopause treatment options article includes SERMs in the broader treatment framework.
SKYLIGHT Trials: The phase 3 clinical trials that led to FDA approval of fezolinetant (Veozah) in May 2023. SKYLIGHT 1 and 2 enrolled over 1,600 women across North America and Europe. The 45 mg dose reduced moderate-to-severe hot flash frequency by 63 percent at week 12 compared to 30 percent for placebo. An 81 percent reduction was sustained at 52 weeks for women who stayed on the drug. The Veozah article covers the SKYLIGHT data in detail, including the liver enzyme monitoring requirement.
SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor): A class of antidepressants that also reduces hot flash frequency. Venlafaxine (Effexor) at 37.5 mg to 75 mg daily has the strongest evidence, with the 2023 MsFLASH study showing a 37 percent reduction in hot flash frequency. Desvenlafaxine also works. The mechanism involves modulating serotonin and norepinephrine receptors in the hypothalamus, similar to how SSRIs work but with a second neurotransmitter. Side effects include nausea, dry mouth, and sexual dysfunction. The SSRI/SNRI guide has the full comparison.
Spray (Estrogen): A transdermal estrogen product applied as a quick-drying spray to the forearm. Evamist is the only FDA-approved estradiol spray, and it delivers 0.21 mg of estradiol per spray per day. The dosing advantage over gel and patches is precision — each spray delivers a fixed dose. The disadvantage is the transfer risk to others, particularly children and pets, until the application site is dry (about two minutes). The HRT options article includes the spray in the delivery method comparison.
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor): A class of antidepressants effective for reducing hot flashes in women who cannot or prefer not to take estrogen. Paroxetine (Paxil) at 7.5 mg — marketed as Brisdelle — is the only FDA-approved non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms. Escitalopram (Lexapro) at 10 to 20 mg has also shown efficacy in the MsFLASH trials. Paroxetine reduces hot flash frequency by about 47 percent compared to 28 percent for placebo. The SSRI/SNRI article explains why these drugs work for hot flashes even in women without depression.
STRAW+10 (Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10): The standardized staging system for female reproductive aging, first published in 2001 and updated in 2012 with the +10 criteria. It divides the menopause transition into seven stages: reproductive (early, peak, late), menopause transition (early, late), and postmenopause (early, late). The system uses cycle length changes and FSH levels as biomarkers. Stage -1 (early menopause transition) begins when consecutive cycle length varies by 7 or more days. The perimenopause vs menopause vs postmenopause article maps each stage to real-world symptoms.
SWAN (Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation): The largest and longest-running study of midlife women in the United States, launched in 1996 with 3,302 participants across seven sites. SWAN has produced more than 500 peer-reviewed publications covering every aspect of the menopause transition. Key findings include the average age of menopause (51.4 years), the racial and ethnic differences in hot flash duration (African American women report hot flashes for 10.1 years on average, compared to 6.5 years for white women), and the association between early menopause and cardiovascular disease.
Systemic vs Local Therapy: A distinction that determines how a medication affects the body. Systemic therapy — patches, pills, gel, spray — delivers hormones throughout the bloodstream and treats whole-body symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and bone loss. Local therapy — estrogen cream, tablets (Vagifem), rings (Femring, Estring), or inserts (Intrarosa) — treats vaginal and urinary symptoms only. A woman might use systemic estrogen for hot flashes and add local estrogen for vaginal dryness — they are not mutually exclusive.
Thermoregulatory Zone: The temperature range within which the body does not trigger heat-loss or heat-conservation responses. In menopausal women, estrogen fluctuations narrow this zone, making the hypothalamus more sensitive to small temperature changes. A 2023 study using skin conductance monitoring found that women with moderate-to-severe hot flashes had a thermoregulatory zone narrowed by approximately 0.4°C compared to asymptomatic women. The vasomotor symptoms article explains this mechanism.
Tibolone: A synthetic steroid with estrogenic, progestogenic, and androgenic effects, used in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia for menopause symptoms but not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. Tibolone at 2.5 mg daily reduces vasomotor symptoms and prevents bone loss. A 2024 Cochrane review of 15 trials found tibolone effective for hot flashes but associated with higher rates of abnormal uterine bleeding and a 2.4 percent incidence of breast cancer recurrence in women with a history of breast cancer — a finding that limits its use.
V-Z Terms
Vagifem: A brand of vaginal estradiol tablet, inserted with a disposable applicator, delivering 10 mcg of estradiol directly to the vaginal tissue twice weekly. Originally approved in the 1990s, Vagifem remains the most prescribed vaginal estrogen product in the US. The dose is so low that systemic absorption is negligible — serum estradiol levels remain in the postmenopausal range during use. The estrogen cream and vaginal health articles cover the differences between Vagifem, Imvexxy, and Estring.
Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS): The medical term for hot flashes and night sweats. The word “vasomotor” describes the involvement of blood vessels and the nervous system. VMS affect approximately 80 percent of women during the menopause transition, and about 30 percent describe them as severe. The severity correlates with estrogen withdrawal speed — surgical menopause produces more intense VMS than natural menopause. The vasomotor symptoms guide is the definitive resource on this topic for this site.
Veozah (Fezolinetant): The first non-hormonal drug approved by the FDA specifically for moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms, arriving in May 2023. Manufactured by Astellas Pharma, Veozah blocks the NK-3 receptor in the hypothalamus, preventing the neurokinin B signaling that triggers hot flashes. The recommended dose is 45 mg once daily. The cost is approximately $550 per month without insurance. Liver enzyme monitoring is required at baseline and every three months for the first year. The Veozah article on this site is one of the most frequently updated pages exactly because the prescribing landscape is changing fast.
WHI (Women’s Health Initiative): The study that changed everything. Launched in 1991, the WHI enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women and included the largest randomized controlled trial of HRT ever conducted — the estrogen-plus-progestin arm with 16,608 women. The 2002 publication that reported increased breast cancer risk caused millions of women to stop HRT overnight and hundreds of thousands of providers to stop prescribing it. The 2020 follow-up analysis of the WHI data, published in JAMA, showed that the excess breast cancer risk attributed to estrogen-plus-progestin was lower than initially reported and concentrated in women starting HRT more than 10 years after menopause. The menopause treatment guide explains the WHI legacy and why modern prescribing differs from pre-2002 approaches.
Formication: The sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin. Though less common than hot flashes, formication occurs in some women during perimenopause and may relate to changes in nerve sensitivity driven by estrogen fluctuations. It is not a psychiatric symptom — it has a physiological basis in hormonal effects on peripheral nerve signaling. Women who report this symptom are often told they are imagining it.
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): A pituitary hormone that rises dramatically as the ovaries produce less estrogen. FSH levels above 25 to 30 mIU/mL generally confirm menopause in women who have gone 12 months without a period. FSH testing can also help diagnose perimenopause when cycles are irregular but the woman is unsure whether she has entered the transition. The STRAW+10 staging system uses FSH levels as part of its biomarker criteria.
Why a Menopause Glossary Changes Your Care
Knowing the vocabulary of menopause does more than make you a more informed patient. It changes the dynamic in the exam room. When you can say “I think I might be in early menopause transition under STRAW+10 staging — my cycle length has varied by more than seven days for the last six months” instead of “I think my periods are getting weird,” your doctor listens differently. You are no longer an anxious patient. You are a collaborator.
The second reason this glossary matters: the language of menopause is not neutral. The difference between calling hot flashes “VMS” and “night sweats” is accuracy. The difference between “bioidentical” and “compounded” is the difference between FDA-approved and pharmacy-mixed. The difference between “HRT” and “MHT” is the difference between 1995 and 2025. Words carry clinical weight. Using the right ones gets you the right treatment faster.
The third reason is practical: you need to evaluate new information critically. Every week brings a new study, a new drug, a new social media claim. Understanding terms like SERM, neurokinin B, and thermoregulatory zone helps you distinguish real breakthroughs from influencer hype. When a podcast guest says “estrogen therapy cures everything,” you can question whether they mean systemic or local, ET or EPT, 17-beta-estradiol or conjugated equine estrogen. Those distinctions matter.
Where to Go Next With Your New Vocabulary
Now that you know what the terms mean, the next step is connecting them to your personal situation. Take the menopause stage quiz to identify where you are in the transition. If the glossary confirmed that you are in perimenopause, read the perimenopause treatment guide. If you are postmenopause and wondering whether to start or continue treatment, the postmenopause menopause treatment page addresses that directly.
For women exploring treatment options, the menopause treatment comparison hub ranks every treatment option by effectiveness, cost, and side effect profile. And if you have a term that still does not make sense — or one you think belongs in this glossary — check the menopause FAQ for questions other women have asked. This glossary will grow as the site grows.