Menopause and Peri-menopausal Symptoms
What is Menopause?
Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle ceases due to decreased hormone production. Typically, this transition happens during the time frame of 45 to 55 years old.
What is a Peri-menopause?
Perimenopause, which can be defined as “approximately the time of menopause,” indicates the period in which your body undergoes its natural shift towards menopause, signaling the conclusion of fertility. Another term commonly used to describe this stage is “menopausal transition”.
The Three Stages of Menopause
Menopause that occurs without any medical intervention is known as natural menopause. This biological process signifying the permanent ending of menstruation happens gradually and can be categorized into three stages:
Perimenopause or “menopause transition”
Perimenopause, which typically commences in one’s 40s, marks the onset of a gradual decline in estrogen production by the ovaries. It can span anywhere from eight to 10 years before menopause, when ovulation ceases. During the final one to two years of perimenopause, there is an accelerated decrease in estrogen levels that often gives way to symptoms commonly associated with menopause. However, it is essential to note that menstruation still occurs during this period, and pregnancy remains possible.
Menopause
Menopause, when menstruation ceases, occurs when ovaries no longer release eggs and significantly reduce estrogen production. Diagnosis of menopause by a healthcare professional is confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Postmenopause
This refers to the period following a full year without menstruation. During this phase, changes associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, may improve. Nevertheless, certain individuals may still encounter these symptoms for ten years or more post-menopausal transition. Due to reduced levels of estrogen in the body during post-menopause, there is an elevated likelihood of developing various health issues like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Symptoms of Menopause & Peri-menopause?
Hot flashes, which refers to a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over your body)
Night sweats
Cold flashes
Vaginal dryness that causes discomfort during sex
Urinary Urgency which refers to a pressing need to pee more frequently
Insomnia (sleeping difficulties)
Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings or mild depression).
Dry skin, dry eyes or dry mouth.
Breast tenderness.
Worsening of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Some women might also experience:
Racing heart
Headaches
Joint and muscle aches and pains
Changes in libido (sex drive)
Weight gain
Hair loss or thinning
Irregular periods or periods that are heavier or lighter than usual.
What Leads to an Earlier of Menopause?
It can sometimes happen earlier naturally
Medical reasons such as:
surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy)
cancer treatments like chemotherapy
genetic reason
