Contributed by Healthians Team
Menopause is no joke. Neither is it a disease or disorder. It is a universal and irreversible part of the overall aging process. Menopausal is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is the time in a woman’s life when the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones made by the ovaries, varies greatly. These hormonal changes can trigger symptoms ranging from mild to severe, causing discomfort and distress. However, most symptoms go away over time.
Three Main Stages
Menopause occurs in the majority of women between the ages of 40 and 60 yrs. The median age of menopause is 51 years. The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process that can take a number of years.
First Stage – Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the first stage of the menopause process when the body starts to provide helpful physical clues that the menopause process is starting. This may start several years before a woman’s last cycle. It is a transition period during which hormone production from the ovaries starts to drop. There is no way of telling how long this stage will last. It may be anywhere from two to eight years. Each woman experiences this transition differently. Symptoms are usually the most bothersome during this time.
What to expect during perimenopause?
- Anxiety and low self-esteem, as well as sudden panic attacks
- Irritability and mood swings
- Spotty menstrual cycles
- Tender and painful breasts
- Intermittent hot flashes & night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Insomnia
- Urinary incontinence
Second Stage – Menopause
Menopause occurs after perimenopause, and it describes the condition when a woman hasn’t menstruated in 12 consecutive months. This period marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. During this time, the symptoms may be more or less noticeable depending on the body’s response to changes.
What to expect during menopause?
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes and cold sweats
- Mood changes, irritability, and depression
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Fatigue and headaches
- Urinary problems
- Decreased sex drive and weight gain
- Vaginal dryness, vaginal weakness, and painful intercourse
- Susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, loss of bone density and change in cholesterol levels
Third Stage – Post-Menopause
Post-menopause simply means ‘after menopause and is the point when the ovaries shut down and their hormone production stops. A woman can no longer become pregnant after this stage. During this time, many of the bothersome symptoms a woman may have experienced prior to menopause gradually begin to fade.
What to expect during post-menopause?
- Changes in bone density and cholesterol levels
- Changes in muscle tone, hair thickness
- Shifts in metabolism
- Increased risk of breast cancer, colon cancer and heart diseases
- High risk of osteoporosis
Menopause isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience for all women. Some women have a relatively easy time transitioning into menopause with little to no trouble. Speak to your doctor if you think you’re going through perimenopause or the menopausal process, or if you’ve already reached menopause and if the symptoms are interfering with your day-to-day life. If you won’t know everything about menopause, we have an excellent article on it. We hope, you find the article helpful for yourself.
