Just when you think you’ve effectively dealt with PMS, your period and your reproductive cycle in general, you’re faced with yet another hormonal change that shakes you to your core. Yep, you guessed it, we’re talking about menopause. Menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is a complicated beast that significantly changes your mental and physical state. But how do you know you’re in menopause?
The two stages of the menopausal transition
Menopause, or the menopausal transition as we like to call it these days, it’s the decade or so that your ovaries start to shut down before you retire completely. This The great life change has two distinct stages: Perimenopause and Postmenopause.
In fact, what we have traditionally called Menopause, and often thought of as its own stage, actually occurs during the first stage, Perimenopause. And it’s the time when exactly 12 months have passed since your last period.
Once you reach that point, though, postmenopause begins immediately. This means that menopause is less of a phase itself, and more of a marker that marks the end of one stage and the beginning of another.
Now, we know this is like a whole new way to look at the menopausal transition, but we think it makes a lot of sense. So here’s how the stages break down:
Perimenopause
It generally starts in the mid-40s. It is characterized by changes in your cycle and periods, as well as physical and emotional symptoms. It also includes the 12 months after your last period.
Postmenopause
It starts 12 consecutive months after your last period. Transition symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue, will subside over the next few years.
What is menopause?
These days, we tend to look Menopause less as a single event and more as a multi-stage transition. This is mainly because there are two different stages that combine to make up your menopause journey.
These stages both lead to the same destination, which is the end of your menstrual cycle, as your ovaries fall off before completely retiring. The first stage, Perimenopause, generally begins in the mid-40s and includes irregular periods and cycle changes, brain fog, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, thinning hair and skin, muscle aches, joint pains, headaches, mood swings… There’s a lot.
The second stage is postmenopause, and this happens 12 months after your last period. Until that point, you are still in Perimenopause. At this stage, you may see some symptoms, but they should begin to decrease in severity and frequency as you move through the rest of your life.
So, where exactly is the menopause part? As we mentioned, this indicator occurs when you have gone without a period for 12 months and marks the end of Perimenopause and the beginning of Postmenopause. If you’re not sure, track your cycles, periods and symptoms with the Hormona app it’s a great way to see where you are in your menopause journey.
How do you know you are in menopause?
Now, we have to be very clear here. Everyone’s menopause is unique to them. You may not see any symptoms before your periods stop, or you may see many. And any symptoms you see will likely be individual to you. That said, there are some effects that are more common than others. So, how do you know you’re in menopause? Here’s what to look out for:
Changes in periods
If you’re someone who’s used to having similar periods every month, it can be a bit of a shock when they start to get significantly lighter or heavier than normal. This is if you still have your period.
A telltale sign that you’re heading into Perimenopause is a change in your period. You may find yourself getting a period every two weeks or notice a change in consistency. And PMS can strike at random.
Once your period has stopped completely, meaning no bleeding for 12 consecutive months, then you have reached the second stage, menopause.
Hot flashes
Most people have experienced hot flashes at one point or another. Whether due to embarrassment or extreme heat, hot flashes are generally not the most comfortable events, and it can feel like someone has turned your internal thermostat up as high as it can go.
If you start to experience hot flashes regularly, there’s a good chance you’re in Perimenopause. Lasting for several minutes, hot flashes can lead to excessive sweating and a red flush all over your body. And if you wake up with wet sheets, that’s night sweats, a classic transition symptom.
Vaginal dryness or pain
In general, the inside of your vagina should be slightly moist and well lubricated. That is unless you are experiencing significant hormonal fluctuations.
Since estrogen levels are low during menopause, the walls of the vagina begin to become thinner with fewer folds, leading to dryness and discomfort. Excessive dryness can also cause pain during sex.
Mood swings
While the menopausal transition manifests itself through many physical symptoms, it can also have a significant impact on your emotional well-being. From mood swings to anxiety and feeling teary for no reason, transition can make you feel horrible.
Since estrogen helps with multiple brain functions, dramatic fluctuations during transition can change your emotional state in a heartbeat. If you feel like your emotional health is suffering during the transition, talk to your doctor about what’s going on.
How do you know you are in menopause? Time to find out…
Actual talk time. If you think you are heading towards, or are already well into Perimenopause, there are a few things you can do to get a clear answer. First: Monitoring. Use the Hormona app to track any symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as track your periods and cycles.
Second, if you’re in your mid-40s or older, chances are your age and discussing your ongoing symptoms with your doctor will generally lead to a diagnosis of menopause, as long as there are no underlying conditions that may be contributing. So make sure you are in touch with your healthcare team.
Third, make sure you take care of yourself. Good health is vital during menopause, not only to help with symptoms, but also to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain and heart problems.
Finally, remember: You are not alone. Millions of women around the world are going through their transition at any given time. With support and the right treatments, you will succeed. And we’re here for you every step of the way.
