According to Saad News, menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 due to significant hormonal changes. Every woman experiences different symptoms during this time; however, the first common symptom of menopause is irregular periods. You can reduce your symptoms and even delay the process a bit by using certain strategies.
According to the family magazine service, menopause (or post-menopause) is derived from two words: menstruation and pause, meaning menstrual period and cessation, respectively. Menopause refers to the time when menstruation permanently stops. In Persian, it is also called "post-menopause" due to the loss of fertility. Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop functioning. The main function of the ovaries is to produce mature eggs and secrete important female hormones, especially estrogen. Ovaries also affect other organs in the body. According to some definitions, menopause is considered definitive when you have not experienced menstruation for at least 12 consecutive months. During menopause, no mature eggs are produced, and the body faces a reduction in estrogen levels. This process typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 but can occur earlier or later. The timing of menopause for each woman depends on factors such as genetics, the climate of the area, dietary habits, medications, past surgeries, exercise, and more.
What are the types of menopause?
Post-menopause typically occurs naturally, but it can sometimes happen earlier than the normal age range. In such cases, a person may experience early menopause. Below, we will examine both natural and unnatural types of menopause:
Natural Menopause
As women age and reach 45 to 55 years of age, menopause occurs naturally. However, as we discussed, the age at which menopause occurs can vary based on factors such as genetics, environment, personal conditions, etc., and it can happen outside of this age range. It is important to note that the average age of menopause in the United States is about 51, and the first signs of menopause usually begin in the mid-40s.
Unnatural Menopause
Unnatural or early menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45. It is worth mentioning that about 5% of women experience early menopause. This may happen due to the loss of ovaries from surgery, ovarian dysfunction, or low hormone levels caused by cancer and chemotherapy. Therefore, the main cause of early menopause is the failure of ovulation and low estrogen levels. More about early menopause is discussed in a separate article.
Stages of Menopause
Natural menopause is a gradual process that occurs in three stages:
Perimenopause
Perimenopause, or pre-menopause, typically occurs 8 to 10 years before the onset of menopause. In fact, ovaries may gradually produce less estrogen starting at the age of 40 until ovulation stops completely. During the last two years of perimenopause, the decline in estrogen is accelerated. Most women experience the first symptoms of menopause during this stage. It is important to note that during perimenopause, menstrual cycles continue, and pregnancy is still possible.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when menstruation completely stops. During this stage, ovulation ceases, and estrogen levels drop to their lowest levels.
Post-menopause
After one year of not having periods, you enter the post-menopausal stage. In most women, symptoms like hot flashes improve during this stage. However, some women may continue to experience symptoms for up to 10 years after menopause. The decline in estrogen levels during post-menopause can lead to complications such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
What is the first sign of menopause?
Every woman may experience different menopause symptoms. Some women experience severe and widespread symptoms, while others have only mild signs. Generally, the first sign of menopause is irregular periods, which often come with heavy bleeding and large clots. Other early symptoms of menopause include:
Insomnia
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Tender breasts
Frequent urination
Depression
Anxiety
Mood swings and irritability
Itching and dryness in the genital area
Blood pressure issues
Cardiovascular problems
Headaches
Palpitations
As hormone levels drop suddenly, these symptoms are typically severe. The transition period to menopause may last 5 years or more before periods stop completely. When menopause continues, secondary symptoms may emerge.
Secondary Symptoms of Menopause
During the secondary symptom stage, all previous symptoms are intensified, and new symptoms may appear. These include:
Severe Hot Flashes:
Hot flashes start from the head, extending to the face, neck, and chest, then spreading through the entire body with heavy sweating. Afterward, the person may feel chills and cold. Hot flashes typically begin about a year before menopause and usually decrease after menopause begins, but they may continue for several years. About 70-80% of women experience this during menopause.
Vaginal Dryness:
Vaginal dryness occurs due to decreased estrogen levels. This leads to pain during sexual intercourse, which can negatively affect relationships.
Urinary Incontinence:
Another secondary symptom is frequent urination and incontinence, where urine may leak when sneezing, coughing, or laughing. The risk of urinary tract infections also increases.
Impact on the Nervous and Psychological System:
Menopause can affect the nervous and psychological systems, leading to fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, stress, and mood swings. In some cases, it may cause memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and even depression.
Skin and Hair Issues:
During menopause, hair becomes thin, brittle, and dry, and skin loses moisture. Some women may also experience dry mouth and eyes. On the other hand, hair growth may increase in areas such as the face, neck, chest, and back.
Bone Issues:
Bone problems are more common than all the symptoms mentioned. Calcium storage occurs from birth until around age 30, after which it stops. Therefore, during post-menopause, due to a decrease in estrogen and calcium, women are prone to osteoporosis and may suffer fractures from minor impacts.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding:
Abnormal uterine bleeding during menopause can be caused by thinning of the uterine lining, fibroids, cervical cancer, or uterine cancer. In such cases, a diagnostic curettage and biopsy may be required.
Weight Changes:
Weight gain is another symptom of menopause, usually around the abdomen, leading to an "apple-shaped" body.
Increased or Worsened Cardiovascular Issues:
Increased or decreased blood pressure and exacerbated cardiovascular problems.
Worsened Sleep Disorders:
Sleep problems may intensify during menopause.
Methods for Reducing Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause is a natural process and usually does not require treatment. However, if its symptoms are causing disruptions in daily life, the following measures can help reduce problems:
Regular testing for blood sugar, cholesterol, urine, stool, and liver function
Pap smear tests
Mammograms and breast exams
Blood pressure monitoring and heart check-ups
Consult with a nutritionist
Regular physical exercise
Use of supplements like Vitamin A, B12, B6, calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E
Kegel exercises for urinary issues
Hormone therapy under the supervision of a doctor to reduce symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc.
