Menopause means that you haven’t had your period for 12 months while you’re not pregnant or ill. It occurs because the levels of female hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, naturally decrease as you get older. Your fallopian tubes stop releasing eggs, you no longer have your period, and you can’t get pregnant. For most women, menopause starts somewhere around their 40s or 50s. It is possible that you start noticing changes months or years before menopause begins.
It is possible that you get hot flashes or that your periods become irregular. We call this period perimenopause. You probably won’t know exactly when menopause starts. All you can do is pay attention to how you feel and watch out for changes. Remember that the symptoms can vary greatly from woman to woman, and some women don’t get any symptoms at all
Irregular Periods
This is the classic sign that menopause is coming. Your periods may be more or less frequent, heavier or lighter, or longer or shorter than before. When you enter perimenopause, it is difficult to predict when and if your next period will come. It is also more difficult to estimate how long your periods will last and whether they will be heavy or light. At this stage, it’s harder to get pregnant, but as long as you’re still menstruating, it’s still possible. Some chemotherapy medicine used to treat cancer can also cause irregular menstrual periods. Any bleeding after menopause, even if only a few drops (‘spotting’), is not normal. In that case, you should consult your doctor.
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
Hot flashes can suddenly make you feel hot or very hot for no apparent reason. Your skin can turn red, and your heart can beat faster. And then suddenly you can get cold again. Night sweats are hot flashes during sleep. They can be so intense they wake you up. Like so many symptoms of menopause, hot flashes and night sweats can vary enormously from woman to woman. They can last from 1 to 5 minutes and can be mild or severe.
You can get several every hour, or only once a week, or never. For some women, these symptoms last for years or decades after their periods have stopped, up to the period we call postmenopause. Talk to your doctor if you suffer from hot flashes that have nothing to do with menopause. There are also medical conditions that can cause these and medications can also play a role.
Sleeping Problems
Waking up during the night or having trouble falling asleep can have several causes, but if you never had trouble falling asleep before, this can be a sign that menopause is approaching. Sometimes sleep problems are caused by other symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats. If sleeping problems persist for a while without you knowing exactly why it might be time to discuss this with your doctor.
Mood Swings
Many things affect your mood, including the hormonal changes that occur that are related to menopause. If you have had anxiety disorders or depression in the past, these symptoms can get worse during menopause. Whatever the reason, you deserve to feel good. If you’ve been feeling a little down for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor about it. Together you can decide on a treatment that will make you feel better.
Forgetful
Both men and women can suffer slight amnesia during middle age: not being able to find the right word or losing the car keys. Usually, this isn’t a big problem. Forgetfulness can be caused not only by menopause but also by stress. If you’re worried because you’re forgetting too much, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor!
Bladder Difficulties
Bladder problems are one of the other symptoms women can experience during menopause. Some women suffer from bladder infections on a regular basis, but the majority have difficulty controlling their bladder. You may find it difficult to hold your urine long enough to reach the toilet in time, this is also called incontinence. You may feel a sudden urge to urinate, or there may be leakage of urine while exercising, sneezing, and/or laughing.
Loss of Bone Density
During menopause, women may experience a loss of bone density due to declining estrogen levels. Estrogen helps to keep bones strong, so when levels of this hormone decrease, bones may become weaker and more prone to fractures. This loss of bone density is a natural part of the aging process, but it can be accelerated by certain factors such as a lack of physical activity and a diet low in calcium. Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, is a risk for women who experience significant bone loss during menopause. It is important for women to take steps to maintain their bone health, such as exercising regularly, and getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
Urinary Tract Infections
During menopause, some women may experience more urinary tract infections. Lower estrogen levels and changes in the urinary tract can make you more susceptible to infections. If you feel a constant urge to urinate, urinate more often, or have a burning sensation when urinating, see your doctor. Your doctor will probably ask you to do a urine test and prescribe antibiotics.
Physical Changes
You may also notice that your hair and skin are getting drier and thinner. Some women gain weight during menopause. Especially around the midsection, gaining more fat around your waist and more fat and less muscle in general. It can also be that moving becomes more difficult and that your joints feel stiff or painful. It is important to remain active. You may have to work harder to maintain your strength and stay in shape.
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a common symptom experienced by many women during menopause. It occurs due to a decrease in estrogen levels, which can cause thinning and drying of the vaginal tissues. Vaginal dryness can lead to discomfort during sexual intercourse, as well as irritation and itching in the vaginal area. It is important for women experiencing vaginal dryness during menopause to speak with their healthcare provider, as there are treatments available that can help manage this symptom and improve overall quality of life.
I’m in Menopause and Now?
In addition, some women may also experience symptoms such as pain, headaches, and palpitations. Since menopause symptoms can be caused by changing hormone levels, it is difficult to predicate how often women suffer from hot flashes and other symptoms and how severe they will be. Consult your doctor if these symptoms interfere with your daily life. The severity of the symptoms varies widely worldwide and depends on race and ethnicity.
If the symptoms are serious and affect your quality of life, treatment may be necessary. Hormone therapy can be an effective treatment in women under 60 years of age, or when started within 10 years of the onset of menopause. For more information about (peri)menopause, menopause symptoms, and treatment options, start your search here:
