Signs of Menopause

It can be highly beneficial for all women to recognize the common signs of menopause and understand how it impacts their bodies. Many women lack sufficient awareness and preparedness for the potential symptoms, their severity, and their overall effect on well-being. Thus, this article aims to shed light on these signs in detail.

What Are the Signs of Menopause?

To begin, it is essential to clarify that a woman must go 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period to officially enter menopause.

Typically, all women experience symptoms during this stage due to hormonal changes in the body. However, these symptoms vary greatly between individuals. Some women endure severe symptoms, while others face milder ones. Below are the most common physical and psychological signs of menopause:

• Physical Signs of Menopause

The first noticeable sign of menopause is often a change in the regular pattern of menstruation. Women may observe heavier or lighter periods than usual, or find that their cycles become irregular, occurring every two or three weeks, or pausing for months before stopping entirely. Additionally, common physical signs include:

1. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: Sudden, brief heat waves in the neck, face, and chest. Research shows that 80% of women experience these symptoms during menopause.
2. Sleep Problems and Insomnia: Often caused by hormonal fluctuations, hot flashes, night sweats, mood disturbances, or chronic conditions.
3. Vaginal Dryness and Reduced Elasticity: Due to declining hormone levels, accompanied by a loss of libido.
4. Joint Stiffness, Pain, and Fatigue: Resulting from decreased estrogen levels.
5. Skin Changes: Increased dryness, oiliness, and acne outbreaks.
6. Urinary Issues: Frequent or urgent need to urinate and susceptibility to infections, caused by changes in vaginal, vulvar, and bladder tissues and weakened pelvic floor muscles.
7. Weight Gain: Due to a slower metabolism.
8. Other Symptoms: Bloating, breast tenderness, hair thinning or loss, heart palpitations, headaches, and migraines.

• Psychological and Emotional Signs

Most women also experience the following psychological symptoms during menopause:

1. Anxiety.
2. Difficulty concentrating and memory issues.
3. Mood swings.
4. Feelings of anger and frustration.
5. Forgetfulness.
6. lowered mood.
7. Loss of self-confidence.

At What Age Does Menopause Occur?

Menopause generally occurs in women aged 40-50, with an average onset between 45 and 55 years, most commonly at age 52. However, menopause symptoms and signs can begin months or even years before periods stop entirely and may continue for several years afterward.

It is worth noting that some women face early menopause before age 45. This often results from medical conditions or surgical treatments, and these women may experience fewer gradual symptoms.

How Long Do Menopause Symptoms Last?

Women may experience symptoms and signs of menopause for up to 10 years before it officially occurs. However, these symptoms typically last between 2 to 8 years, with an average duration of 4 years. The average length of menopause itself is approximately seven years, and the symptoms usually disappear once the post-menopause stage is reached.

Tips to Alleviate Menopausal Symptoms and Signs

Although many symptoms and signs fade over time on their own, following these tips can help reduce their severity:

• Manage hot flashes by wearing light clothing, lowering the room temperature, and using cold water compresses.
• Ensure you get adequate sleep.
• Relax as much as possible through massage, deep breathing, or other relaxation techniques.
• Strengthen pelvic floor muscles by practicing Kegel exercises.
• Follow a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and limits saturated fats, oils, and sugars.
• Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight to reduce hot flashes.
• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Exercise regularly on most days of the week.
• Consult your doctor regularly, especially if symptoms worsen, and undergo periodic tests to monitor hormone levels.

Blazma offers comprehensive tests and screenings required during menopause, including Androstenedione test and Estradiol test.