AS WITH ALL OF LIFE’S TRANSITIONS, the onset of menopause impacts every woman uniquely. Some women, for example, might find a degree of relief in knowing they’re leaving behind uncomfortable menstrual periods and the possibility of pregnancy, while others might experience a sense of loss and sadness as they come to recognize their reproductive years are drawing to a close.
The severity of menopause symptoms also tends to vary significantly from one woman to the next, ranging anywhere from mild and manageable to completely life-altering.
When it comes to menopause, knowledge is power. Women who are educated on what to expect throughout this sometimes-long journey are better poised to understand what they’re experiencing physically and emotionally, manage their symptoms, maintain a positive outlook, seek help from healthcare professionals if needed, and maximize their quality of life.
Menopause defined
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), defines menopause as “a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period.” In the years leading up to menopause, women can experience a wide range of changes and symptoms as their levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate. This period is known as perimenopause or the menopausal transition.
According to the NIA, perimenopause usually begins between the ages of 45 and 55 and lasts approximately seven years. However, in some cases, the menopausal transition can last up to twice that long.
As alluded above, menopause is a natural transition resulting from normal hormonal changes associated with aging, but it can also occur earlier than average as a result of procedures such as hysterectomy, surgical removal of the ovaries, or cancer treatment involving chemotherapy or pelvic radiation. The website mayoclinic.org also identifies smoking and having a family history of early menopause as risk factors for starting perimenopause ahead of the average.
Common symptoms of menopause
Though the signs and symptoms of approaching menopause vary by individual—and some women experience few if any symptoms—certain changes are commonly reported. According to the NIA, these include:
• Changes in the regularity, duration, or amount of bleeding during menstruation
• Hot flashes—sudden feelings of heat that may be accompanied by flushing, heavy perspiration, and chilling
• Changes in bladder control such as urgency or leaking
• Problems with sleeping
• Vaginal dryness leading to pain/discomfort during intercourse
• Changes in their level of sexual interest
• Mood changes such as increased irritability
• Mental fogginess or memory problems
• Changes in body composition such as fat gain and muscle loss
• Stiffness or achiness in muscles or joints
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations.
Of course, these symptoms aren’t exclusive to menopause and could occur for other reasons at different times of life.
Should you seek medical treatment for menopause symptoms?
Menopausal symptoms can sometimes be managed or improved with simple lifestyle changes. For example, adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity can help with issues such as fat gain/muscle loss as well as difficulty sleeping. However, if physical or emotional symptoms begin to interfere with your quality of life and compromise your sense of well-being—or if you experience severe or otherwise concerning symptoms—don’t hesitate to consult with a healthcare provider. Your doctor has access to a wide range of medications and therapies that can ease many of the common menopause symptoms and help you get your life back on track. Even if your symptoms are mild to moderate, it might be worthwhile to see your doctor.
One very important reason to see a doctor throughout menopause and beyond is that as women’s estrogen level declines, their risk of bone loss and osteoporosis increases, putting them at significant risk of a debilitating fracture. In fact, the Endocrine Society reports, “One in two postmenopausal women will have osteoporosis, and most will suffer a fracture during their lifetime.”
A long but fulfilling journey
The time between perimenopause and post-menopause can be long and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a period of physical and emotional misery. Women who enter this phase armed with information are more likely to find continued fulfillment and maintain a high quality of life throughout their mid-life journey. ✲
