As women, we like to complain about our periods. Much. But as much as we hate having “the curse,” when we eventually stop having those periods, it’s not always easy to deal with.
Unfortunately for most women, menopause doesn’t mean their periods just stop, like turning off a light. Instead, it’s a long, drawn-out process that can start up to five years before your last menstrual period (a time known as perimenopause), bringing with it hormonal changes, hot flashes, mood swings, and more.
Do you think it could be happening to you? Here’s what to expect when you’re reaching menopause.
Menopause? More like less-stop
We might call the end of our menstrual cycle (or menstruation) menopause, but it’s actually the eventual cessation of your monthly periods forever.
“The easiest way to think about it is that you’re born with a certain number of follicles or eggs, and every month they’re released and we have our periods. Over time, our hormones change and our estrogen levels drop, and we stop releasing those eggs every month. Then we enter a state of menopause.
How can you know if it’s happening to you? The average age of menopause (that is, the last menstrual period) is 51 years, so most women will begin to enter perimenopause around the age of 45. It is rare to enter menopause before the age of 40, which is considered premature ovarian failure. But for 95 percent of us, we’ll be done having our periods by the time we hit 55.
The first symptom is a change in your menstrual cycle, with periods becoming more erratic. For some women, that can mean periods that become lighter and more spaced out; for others, it may mean periods that are closer together.
Then there are the basal motor symptoms of menopause, including:
-Hot flushes
-night sweats
-Sleep disorders
-Difficult to focus
– Irritability
-Vaginal dryness
-Bladder problems
The good news is that menopause doesn’t really last forever. These basal motor symptoms tend to dissipate over time. For some women, they last a year. For some, five years. But they rarely last longer than that.
I wish it was gone in a (hot) flash?
One of the best ways to deal with the symptoms of menopause is lifestyle therapy. That means eating a healthy diet with fresh, whole foods, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and getting plenty of exercise to help reduce stress.
There is also some evidence that acupuncture is helpful in treating menopausal symptoms. So are certain medical treatments, such as antidepressants or even pain relievers, which have been shown to be effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. There are also topical medications that can improve vaginal dryness, so check with your doctor if you experience any discomfort.
And while hormone replacement therapy has gotten a bad rap in the media in recent years, Maker says there are times when it may be safe for women to take HRT. It is something that women should discuss with their doctors. It’s not for everyone, but it can be a good option if someone has symptoms they can’t manage on their own.
