Menopause is a process that unfolds over a period of months or years. Officially, the average age of menopause is fifty-one years old but most women will begin to experience the effects of menopause for a few years leading up to it. As estrogen levels start to decline, symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes may occur. So as women begin the journey of menopause, it is helpful to know what to expect and if there’s anything you can do to prepare.
Menopause can best be described in three stages:
1) Perimenopause: The 3-8 years before women are officially in menopause
2) Menopause: After going 12 months without a period, a woman is officially in menopause
3) Post menopause: The phase when menopausal symptoms decline and more symptom-stability is reached
Perimenopause
According to the Cleveland Clinic, perimenopause may begin as early as your mid-30s or as late as your mid-50s. Here are some other key facts about perimenopause
- Although some women are in perimenopause for a short period of time, for some, it can last anywhere from four to eight years.
- During perimenopause, well-known symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and difficulty sleeping may start to occur. Other symptoms like night sweats, vaginal dryness, and hormone fluctuations may also happen. The symptoms of perimenopause can vary dramatically between each woman.
- Fertility will decline during menopause but it is still possible to become pregnant.
Menopause
After going one full year without a period, this is officially menopause. By now the ovaries have stopped producing almost all estrogen and they no longer release eggs.
- Symptoms of menopause may still occur but by now, it is hoped that any symptoms interfering with your quality of life are being managed in consultation with your doctor. It is important to get help when the symptoms of menopause start to affect your overall wellness.
- Helping to manage menopausal symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Lifestyle changes – Diet, exercise and stopping smoking are all changes that should be considered. They can also be used in conjunction with any of the options below
- Medications – Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – Hormone replacement therapy is especially useful for the treatment of hot flashes. It is available in pills, patches, creams or injections.
- Bio-identical hormones – Bioidentical hormones are plant-based estrogens that are synthetic. Like traditional HRT, bioidentical hormones come in various forms, including pills, patches, and creams
- Non-traditional options – Although not used as a first-line treatment option, some women have found success in using non-traditional therapies such as acupuncture, herbal remedies or yoga. These are techniques that are used to promote relaxation, good sleep and stress management.
Post-menopause
Just after entering menopause, you will transition into the post menopause stage. At this point, most of your menopause-related symptoms will lessen and over time, they will eventually disappear. Some issues that should be remembered during this time.
- Women are now at increased risk for conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. For that reason, paying close attention to your overall health, especially as you start approaching menopause is important.
- Women (regardless of age) but particularly those approaching menopause should try to stick to the following:
- A healthy diet to make sure you get calcium and vitamin D to keep bones strong.
- Exercise to keep the heart healthy. Eg. Brisk walking, aerobics or yoga.
- Routine well-woman exams and check-ups should be maintained to help monitor the following
- Blood pressure
- Risk of diabetes
- Age appropriate screenings (eg. pap smears, mammograms, colorectal cancer
The vast majority of women going through perimenopause and menopause do not seek medical advice. But when menopause causes symptoms that interfere with day-to-day life then seeking medical help is a great option to consider. There are safe, helpful and effective solutions available to many menopausal symptoms. Speak to your doctor to get some guidance on the best way to manage whatever stage of menopause that you’re going through.
