Every woman has a different experience during menopause. Sometimes, it could be challenging if the hormonal changes lead to symptoms like anxiety and hot flashes. Still, some women find it comforting because they don’t have to think about birth control and menstruation.
Although the experiences during menopause differ, these facts would help you understand the process better.
Menopause doesn’t occur suddenly
Most times, menopause does not occur suddenly – it is a process that occurs gradually. Women in their 30s and 40s experience a reduction in progesterone and oestrogen levels, and perimenopause begins at this stage. Within this period, their mensuration becomes less regular until it stops.
Menopause usually starts about 12 months after the last period, between 50 – 58 years. The average age for this is 51 years, and hot flashes generally occur between six months to two years, but some people experience it after ten years or more.
If you have surgery to remove your ovaries, you will experience menopause almost immediately. Sometimes, it is temporary and may start after the treatment. Some medical conditions may also cause to start at a younger age.
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Perimenopause may start in the 30s
Perimenopause occurs before menopause, lasting for about 4 – 8 years. During perimenopause, progesterone and oestrogen levels begin to reduce gradually, with menstruation becoming less regular.
The following symptoms of menopause may also occur:
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats and hot flashes
If you feel concerned about experiencing these symptoms, ensure you contact a private gynaecologist for advice. Also, check if you have other health conditions like overactive thyroid that can cause these symptoms.
If you are in your 40s and miss your period, it may indicate pregnancy or menopause.
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Most women experience symptoms
Menopause is a regular occurrence and not an illness. The symptoms usually occur due to hormonal changes.
Menopause symptoms may be mild or severe, sometimes causing distress and discomfort, but treatments are available to help manage the symptoms.
Common menopause symptoms include:
- Hot flashes that occur at night (night sweats)
- Vaginal dryness, making sex painful
- Hot flashes caused by sudden heat sensations in the upper body, affecting about 75% of people during menopause
- Mood changes due to fluctuating levels of hormones and environmental factors. Stress, depression and anxiety may also occur
- Reduced libido because hormone levels drop and the vaginal dryness occurs, which makes sex discomforting
Hormonal changes during menopause can also cause osteoporosis, making bone density reduce, which increases the risk of bone fracture – menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis.
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Treatment for menopause symptoms are available
If your menopause symptoms affect your daily life, your doctor may prescribe some medicines to manage the symptoms.
- Hormonal treatment
Hormonal treatment helps balance your hormones but may be unsuitable for people with a risk of breast cancer, gallbladder disease, dementia, stroke, and blood clots. The doctor would advise you on the best course of treatment, depending on your case.
- Antidepressants
The doctor may prescribe low doses of paroxetine to treat hot flashes.
- Sexual well-being
Lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. If natural remedies and lubricants do not resolve vaginal dryness, the doctor may prescribe vaginal hormones in tablet, cream or ring forms which you can apply to the vagina.
- Osteoporosis prevention
Your doctor may suggest regular assessments to check your bone density and strength. If your bones are becoming weak, your doctor may prescribe vitamin D supplements and recommend diet changes and exercise.
- Anxiety, depression, and mood changes
The doctor may recommend hormonal treatment or medications for the symptoms above. Relaxation and counselling may also help in managing depression and stress. You can also try aromatherapy to relieve these symptoms.
- Sleep problems
Different factors can cause sleep problems, but sufficient exercise, limiting alcohol and coffee intake, and having a healthy sleep routine can help resolve sleep problems.
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Sex and menopause
Most people passing through menopause worry about being unable to enjoy sex and being less attractive. However, menopause may make sex better for some people as they do not need to think about getting pregnant and monthly periods.
The following tips can help keep your sex life active during menopause:
- Explore different ways to get aroused
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend a lubricant and other ways to reduce vaginal dryness
- Have a healthy diet and exercise regularly to remain healthy and fit
- Spend time with your partner carrying out non-sexual activities
Open communication with your partner can help you and your partner get past issues relating to sex. If you are single, you can join any local club, go on holidays or use a dating site.
The body produces hormones during menopause
During and after menopause, the body still produces oestrogen. Oestrogen has several essential functions in the body, and the body needs it in a smaller quantity.
It only makes the ovaries stop producing oestrogen, but the adrenal gland keeps producing aromatase and androgens, which the body converts to oestrogen.
Weight gain and menopause
Most people experience weight gain during menopause, but people who had a normal weight before it can keep managing their weight with specific lifestyle measures.
Research has shown that most people gain about five pounds after menopause, and you could gain weight due to the following:
- Metabolism changes due to fluctuation in hormone levels
- Being less active
- Eating less healthy foods
- Other midlife factors
If you are concerned about gaining weight, ensure you speak to your dietician or doctor to get suitable plans to manage your weight. Most doctors recommend exercising and dietary changes.
Maintaining a healthy weight has several health benefits and can help you avoid specific health issues.
An obese or overweight personhas ahigher risk of experiencing hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
Stress and menopause
Many people who are undergoing menopause report difficulty in remembering things and concentrating. Some people refer to this as brain fog, but stress is a significant factor to consider.
You may experience stress due to:
- Professional, domestic and other pressures
- Effect of physical changes
- Ageing concerns
The following can help you manage stress:
- Exercise regularly
- Seek help for anxiety, depression and memory loss
- Stay in touch with your family and friends
- Keep a diary of upcoming events in a frequently used place, like the kitchen counter
- Practise yoga or a relaxing activity
- Find a balance between your interests and responsibilities
- Share your challenges with other people going through menopause
Getting pregnant is possible
Menopause is the end of a reproductive phase in women, but some can become pregnant during and after.
Perimenopause occurs for 4 – 8 years before menopause, but you can get pregnant as long as you continue to menstruate. However, the probability of getting pregnant and having a full-term pregnancy reduces as you get closer to it.
The advancements in reproductive technology have made it possible for someone to get pregnant after menopause. This technology allows the implantation of embryos persevered earlier in the person’s life or donated eggs.
However, there is an increased risk of preterm birth and loss of pregnancy, depending on the woman’s health condition, health status and age at the time of conception. Young women who have not experienced menopause have a reduced risk of birth and pregnancy difficulties using advanced reproductive technology.
Menopause may be a new beginning
It may cause certain health changes, but it doesn’t mean you are old or the body is failing. It should not cause concern orunnecessary anxiety as it could mean new possibilities for you, and you can explore different things.
For most people, perimenopause sets in before half the average lifespan, and menopause follows after about 4 – 8 years.
If you are residing in London and concerned about perimenopause and menopause changes, contact Gynaecology Clinic today on 020 7183 0435 to seek advice from an experienced gynaecologist.
