Signs of Menopause: Listening to Our Bodies

For far too long, menopause has been shrouded in shame, making it difficult for women to navigate this natural phase of life. Actress Naomi Watts, who was shocked to learn she was nearing menopause at the age of 36, shared, “My life turned upside down when I was told I was close to menopause… I struggled through shame and secrecy, wishing there was an open conversation.”

Just like Watts, many women face menopause feeling isolated, but it’s time to change the narrative. By breaking stigmas and fostering open dialogue, we can empower women to better understand their bodies and take charge of their health. In this article, we’ll explore the signs and symptoms of menopause, encouraging you to listen to your body and seek the support you deserve.

When Does Menopause Start?

Most women experience menopause naturally between the ages of 45 and 55. However, for a small percentage, menopause can begin much earlier. When it occurs before the age of 40, it’s known as premature menopause. Naomi Watts has spoken candidly about how her early diagnosis upended her plans. “I thought this was the end of everything. Certainly my fertility and career—boom.”

Menopause that starts between the ages of 41 and 45 is considered early menopause. Understanding the stages of menopause can help you navigate this transition, no matter when it begins. The three stages are:

Perimenopause –

This stage, known as perimenopause, is when your menstrual cycle begins to become irregular, but it hasn’t fully stopped. You may start to experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and changes in your sleep patterns. On average, perimenopause can last anywhere from four to eight years, though the duration varies for each woman. According to the North American Menopause Society, about 90% of women will experience some form of perimenopausal symptom before menopause fully sets in.

It’s also important to note that even though your periods may be irregular, you can still get pregnant during perimenopause. Fertility declines, but pregnancy remains possible as long as you’re still ovulating, which is why contraception may still be necessary during this stage if you’re not planning to conceive.

Menopause –

Menopause is officially reached when you’ve gone a full 12 months without a menstrual period. Until that point, your cycle may still fluctuate, but once you’ve passed the one-year mark, your body has transitioned out of its reproductive phase. This natural stage typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being 51, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Common symptoms during this time include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, night sweats, and changes in mood. In fact, it’s estimated that around 75% of women experience hot flashes during menopause, with symptoms lasting an average of seven years. Understanding these changes is key to managing menopause effectively and seeking out treatments that can alleviate discomfort.

Postmenopause –

Postmenopause begins after you’ve gone a full year without a menstrual period, marking the end of your reproductive years. From this point on, you will remain in the postmenopausal state for the rest of your life. During this stage, most women no longer experience menstrual bleeding. However, if you do experience any vaginal bleeding, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider promptly, as this could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention.

In postmenopause, women may find that certain symptoms from earlier stages continue or change. While some may notice a reduction in hot flashes and mood swings, they may still face challenges such as vaginal dryness, increased risk of osteoporosis, and heart disease due to lower estrogen levels. Research shows that women in postmenopause are at an increased risk for osteoporosis, with studies indicating that about 20% of women over the age of 50 will experience a bone fracture related to this condition. Regular check-ups and discussions with your healthcare provider can help manage these risks and maintain overall health during this stage of life.

Causes of Menopause

Most often, menopause occurs naturally as part of the aging process. However, there are various factors that can trigger menopause earlier than expected. One significant cause is medically induced menopause, which can result from surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or the removal of the ovaries. Additionally, medical treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer can also accelerate the onset of menopause, leading to sudden and often severe symptoms.

Early Menopause

Early menopause, defined as menopause occurring before the age of 45, affects a small percentage of women. Research indicates that about 5-30% of women experiencing early menopause have a family history of the condition, suggesting a genetic link. Autoimmune disorders, which can impact fertility, account for another 10-30% of cases of premature menopause. Unfortunately, in approximately 60% of instances, the exact cause of early menopause remains unknown. This lack of understanding can add to the confusion and emotional distress that many women feel when facing early menopause, emphasizing the need for open conversations and accessible resources.

Signs and Symptoms of Menopause

Women usually experience a combination of symptoms when going through menopause. Fourteen common menopause, perimenopause symptoms, and early menopause symptoms are:

Irregular Periods – Even if you’ve always had a regular period, they can change. They may become heavier, lighter, and last longer or shorter. They can even occur closer together or farther apart than you’re used to. You can also experience PMS symptoms without experiencing a period.

Hot Flashes – Hot flashes, or night sweats, can make you feel as if your insides are overheating. You may wake up drenched in sweat. Your internal temperature may fluctuate due to your changing hormones. About 75% of menopausal women experience hot flashes.

Mood Swings – Some women experience moodiness. This may be in part due to your changing hormones and discomfort, but also because you’re not sleeping as well due to hot flashes.

Discomfort During Sex – When certain hormones drop, vaginal dryness may occur. This can result in the vagina and vulva becoming irritated, especially during sexual intercourse.

Headaches – Fluctuating hormones may increase the chances of headaches. On the flip side, women who suffered headaches before menopause may experience headache relief.

Breast Soreness – Breast tissue may feel tender due to hormone changes, increased water retention and inflammation.

Weight Gain – Reduced estrogen may be linked to weight gain. This can affect your sleep and slow your metabolism down and may cause your body to lose muscle mass faster.

Anxiety – As your body changes and feels unpredictable, you may experience anxiety. Hormone changes may exacerbate feelings of anxiety as well.

Digestive Problems – Women may experience symptoms similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) such as stomach aches, diarrhea, cramps, bloating, constipation, and indigestion. This is typically due to the hormonal changes your body is enduring.

Joint Pain – Joints can lose flexibility as estrogen levels drop. Loss of flexibility can also cause inflammation to increase.

Tingling – Oestrogen rising and falling during menopause greatly affects the central nervous system. This produces tingling sensations in your extremities, similar to when your hand or foot ‘falls asleep’ .

Hair Loss – It might sound scary, but in addition to hair turning gray it’s also completely normal for hair to thin around the temples or recede around the hairline.

Depression – Hormonal fluctuations increase the risk of depression. Women are four times more likely to be affected by depression during menopause than when they are under the age 45.

Heart Palpitations – Changing hormones may cause an irregular heartbeat, which can also be linked to hot flashes.

Pelvic Floor Weakening – The decline in estrogen levels can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, contributing to urinary incontinence and reduced sexual satisfaction. This aspect of menopause is often overlooked, but it’s crucial to discuss with healthcare providers for effective management strategies.

All of these symptoms are normal, and you may be more prone to experiencing some symptoms if they’re part of your family history. Remember, these symptoms can be relieved with the right treatment. Read our blog Relieving Menopause Symptoms for even more information.

Partner with Your Healthcare Provider

Even though dealing with menopause is difficult, you can alleviate symptoms with the right medical treatments or lifestyle changes. Contact our office for more information and to align with one of our incredible physicians in your journey through menopause.

Are you looking for a Tucson OB/Gyn to partner with for your care? Book an appointment today!

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