Do you know the stages of menopause?
Pardon? I hear you asking.
You are not alone if you believed that menopause was a singular occurrence.
However, this stage of life includes a number of phases and requires time to complete.
What is Menopause?
A woman's peak reproductive years are often in her 20s and early 30s, and as she gets older, the quality and number of her eggs (or ovulation) will decline.
Ovulation (and your menstruation) eventually ceases when the body stops producing oestrogen and progesterone.
Each woman's experience of menopause is different, just like each of us is. Many physical and emotional symptoms associated with this life change are normal for most people, but individual symptoms vary, and no two women will experience menopause in precisely the same way.
A new life begins during menopause. It serves as an example of changing from one state of being to another.
Despite the possibility of some discomfort from the symptoms, it's important to recognise that menopause is a normal, natural process.
The first step to taking control of how you can live well during this transition is understanding its stages. So let’s learn a little more about the stages of menopause.
Perimenopause
The time leading up to menopause is referred to as "perimenopause," and it is characterised by a decline in oestrogen as your hormones begin to change in anticipation of menopause.
· This is the period, usually in a woman’s 40s, of about 4-6 years prior to a person’s final period
· The ovaries slow down during this time and other menopausal symptoms can also begin to occur. Periods may also start to become irregular.
· Perimenopause can cause a variety of symptoms similar to menopause, including:
- Hot flushes
- Irregular periods - less frequent periods, lighter/heavier or shorter/longer than normal
- Tender breasts
- Mood swings - feeling teary or irritable
- Hair changes
- Weight gain
- Decreased sex drive
- UTIs (urinary tract infections)
- Fertility issues
Menopause
· Menopause is considered to have occurred when there have been no periods for 12 months in a row.
· It usually occurs between 40 to 55 years of age. The average age of menopause is around 50 years of age.
· There are many physical and emotional symptoms that are common for most in this life transition, however symptoms vary from person to person, and no two women will experience menopause in the same way.
In fact, around 20% of women experience no menopausal symptoms at all.
An average of 60% of women experience mild-moderate symptoms, and around 20% experience severe symptoms. As hormone levels change approaching menopause, physical and emotional symptoms can begin to occur.
Physical symptoms can include:
- Hot flushes
- Bloating
- Aches and pains
- Headaches
- Exhaustion
- Disturbed sleep, including night sweats and insomnia
- Sore breasts
- Urinary problems (UTIs, overactive bladder, discomfort)
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
Emotional symptoms can include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep difficulties
- Mood swings – anxiety, irritability or lowered mood
- Inability to cope as well as previously
- Forgetfulness
- Increased PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased collagen and water content
- Decreased sebum levels
Post-menopause
· This is the stage after 12 months have passed without a single period.
· A person is considered “post-menopausal” following this point.
Naturally, significant life transitions can cause disruptions, emotional turmoil, and even worry or a sense of disconnection. Always keep in mind that communicating how this experience impacts us with our friends, family, and other loved ones goes a long way to helping during menopause.
You are also always welcome to discuss your symptoms further with the pharmacists on your next visit to the chemist at Thomsons Lake Pharmacy.