Menopause is divided into 3 phases, each phase has an indeterminate duration in each woman. Adding to the confusion, each woman will experience menopause differently.
The 3 phases are perymenopause, menopause and postmenopause.
Perimenopause begins years before your last period. Small changes can happen without you realizing it, and then you get a hot flash, which is a wake-up call. Menopause is when your period stops completely. When you have gone a full year without your period, you have gone through menopause. On average, menopause is around age 51, although some experience it earlier and others later. So postmenopause is everything that happens after menopause, basically the rest of your life.
Here is a list of common symptoms:
One of the first signs that you are entering perimenopause is that your period becomes irregular, or you miss one here and there, sometimes even for a few months at a time. The next thing will be the appearance of hot flashes. They may start off mild at first, but menopause takes years to pass, and eventually the hot flashes will increase.
Night sweats go hand in hand with hot flashes. You wake up in the middle of the night and your bedding and nightgown are completely saturated. Some women experience night sweats and not hot flashes, or vice versa, or both or neither; but chances are you have at least one of these symptoms.
Vaginal dryness is another side effect of menopause. The decrease in estrogen levels causes physical changes in the moisture and elasticity of the vaginal walls and a decrease in natural lubrication. Over-the-counter lubricants can substitute for a while, but eventually it will be too painful to continue, making love hurts too much and is easier to avoid. Ask your doctor about hormone replacement therapy and whether it’s right for you.
The lack of sexual desire and the loss of intimacy in your marriage can be frightening. Keeping an open dialogue with your partner and an open mind in the bedroom can help both of you during this time. You may also experience urinary incontinence. The incidence of depression is increasing and may warrant seeing a doctor for help.
You may gain weight for no reason; It is a side effect of menopause. Fluctuating hormones are to blame, as are the hard times you’re going through. Keep your eyes on a healthy diet and exercise and it may clear up soon.
Insomnia is also a side effect of lower estrogen levels. With all that on your mind, it’s easy to blame stress, but it’s a side effect of declining estrogen levels. Taking melatonin, starting with the 1mg size, an hour or two before bedtime can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the body as day turns to night. It has no side effects and is safe. Take the lowest dosage and you’ll wake up refreshed.
Mood swings can take you by surprise. Add a hot flash and it can seem out of control. Your memory isn’t what it used to be either. You may worry, but these are all natural consequences of estrogen withdrawal and very common at menopause.
One of the most debilitating physical symptoms is hair loss, sometimes it looks like it’s full! This can be scary as your self esteem and confidence are shaken as your hair constantly falls out. Your hair loses the thickness and body it had in your youth. Trying out a new hairstyle can be a life saver here.
Not all of these symptoms can be present at once, thank goodness, but you can be sure that some will be recognizable. Keeping a sense of humor at all times is helpful, and looking on the bright side of everyday events will help you get through this sometimes difficult time in life.