Hormone conditions, explained by a physician

The years of shifting hormones before the final period, often bringing cycle changes, hot flashes, poor sleep and mood changes.

Why falling estrogen switches on the brain's heat-loss alarm, and the treatments that switch it off.

Dryness, painful sex and urinary symptoms from low estrogen. Common, progressive and very treatable.

Loss of normal ovarian function before 40. Hormone replacement protects bone, heart and brain until the usual age of menopause.

Estrogen loss speeds bone breakdown. Screening, strength training and modern medicines prevent fractures.