Menopause
Menopause — a room for the changes in body and mind
What the menopausal transition is
This is the time around menopause (on average about age 50) when female hormones decline. Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood swings, joint pain, and vaginal dryness are common, and how strong the symptoms are varies a great deal from person to person. Putting up with it is not a virtue — treatment can greatly improve your quality of life.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
Treatment and self-care
- If the symptoms are hard to bear, talk about hormone therapy at obstetrics and gynecology (산부인과). When the timing and length of treatment are assessed for you individually, it can often be used safely
- If hormone therapy is not an option for you, there are non-hormonal medicines and lifestyle alternatives too
- After menopause, the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease goes up. Bone density testing (the national health check-up (국가건강검진) includes women aged 54 and 66) and managing blood pressure and blood lipids matter
- Keep up regular exercise (strength plus aerobic) and your intake of calcium and vitamin D
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
See a doctor in these cases
- Vaginal bleeding that starts more than a year after menopause must always be seen
- When low mood breaks down daily life for 2 weeks or more (depression around menopause needs treatment)
Frequently asked questions
I heard hormone therapy carries a cancer risk
Since the older studies, the rules for using it have become more refined. When it is started under age 60 and within 10 years of menopause, the benefit often outweighs the risk, and whether you have a contraindication such as a history of breast cancer is assessed individually. Rather than putting up with the difficulty out of vague fear, have your own level of risk assessed directly at obstetrics and gynecology.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-05)Last checked: 2026년 8월 5일
Rules and costs can change. Before you make an important decision, check the official page for the latest information.