What You Need to Know About Menopause

Menopause occurs when a woman has not had her period for 12 consecutive months and loses her ability to get pregnant naturally. The series of menopause in women usually begins between the ages of 45-55 years, but there are some people who start it sooner or later.

Menopause can be accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms, such as weight gain or hot flashes, but most people don't need special medical attention when dealing with menopause.

When does menopause start?

Most women first show menopause symptoms about 4 years before their last menstrual period. These symptoms often continue until about 4 years after the last menstrual period. A small percentage of women begin to experience menopause symptoms more than 10 years before the actual menopause occurs.

The average woman experiences menopause at the age of 51 and only 1% of women begin menopause before the age of 40, a condition known as premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency.

Why does menopause occur?

Menopause is a natural process that occurs as women's ovaries age, resulting in fewer reproductive hormones. The body will experience several changes in response to decreased levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

One of the most notable changes is a significant reduction in the number of active follicles in the ovaries. The ovarian follicle is a structure that produces and releases eggs from the ovarian wall which allows menstruation and fertilization to occur.

What is the difference between perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause?

Perimenopause is the phase that occurs before menopause and is marked by the onset of hormonal changes in a woman's body in preparation for menopause. During the perimenopause phase, menstrual cycles become irregular, may last longer, or not have a period at all.

Most women start experiencing perimenopause in their mid-40s but not a few women skip this phase and go straight to menopause. Menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation for a full year. While postmenopause is a term for the following years after a woman experiences menopause.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Every woman has her own menopause experience. Conditions that impact ovarian health, such as cancer and smoking, can increase the duration and severity of menopause symptoms. Perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause generally have similar symptoms, apart from changes in menstruation.

1. The early symptoms of perimenopause are as follows:
2. Less menstrual frequency
3. Menstrual cycles that are heavier or lighter than usual
4. Vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and flushing

Meanwhile, the general symptoms of menopause are as follows:

1. Insomnia
2. Dry vagina
3. Weight gain
4. Depression and anxiety
5. Having trouble concentrating and memory problems
6. Reduced sexual desire
7. Experiencing dry skin, mouth, and eyes
8. Increased frequency and volume of urine
9. Hair loss

10. Decreased muscle and bone mass

Menopause is a phase of life that every woman will go through. The above article is expected to be a provision of knowledge so that we are better prepared to face the changes that will occur.

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Source:

Huizen, J. Ernst, H. (2020). Everything You Should Know About Menopause. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause