Just when you think you’ve effectively navigated PMS, periods, and your reproductive cycle in general, you’re hit with yet another hormonal change that shakes you to your core. Yep, you guessed it, we’re talking about Menopause. Generally occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, Menopause is a complex beast that significantly alters your mental and physical state. But how do you know you’re in Menopause?
The Two Stages of Menopausal Transition
Menopause, or the Menopausal Transition as we like to call it these days, is the decade or so when your ovaries begin to wind down before retiring altogether. This major life change has two distinct stages: Perimenopause and Postmenopause.
In fact, what we’ve traditionally called Menopause, and often considered a stage of its own, actually occurs during the first stage, Perimenopause. And it’s the point in time when it’s been exactly 12 months since your final menstrual period.
Once you’ve reached that point, though, Postmenopause starts immediately. Meaning that Menopause is less of a phase itself, and more of a marker signifying the end of one stage and the start of another.
Now, we know that this feels like a completely new way to look at the Menopausal Transition, but we think it makes a huge amount of sense. So here’s how the stages breakdown:
Perimenopause
Generally begins in your mid-40s. Characterized by changes in your cycle and periods, as well as physical and emotional symptoms. Also includes the 12 months following your final menstrual period.
Postmenopause
Begins 12 consecutive months after your final menstrual period. Your transition symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue should recede over the coming years.
What is Menopause?
These days, we tend to look at Menopause as less of a single event and more of a multi-stage transition. That’s mostly down to there being two distinct stages that combine to make up your Menopausal journey.
Those stages both head to the same destination, which is the end of your menstrual cycle, as your ovaries wind down before retiring altogether. The first stage, Perimenopause, generally begins in your mid-40s, and includes irregular periods and cycle changes, brain fog, hot flashes, sleep disturbance, thinning hair and skin, muscle aches and pain, joint pain, headaches, mood swings… There’s a lot.
The second stage is Postmenopause, and that happens 12 months after your last period. Right up until that point, you’re still in Perimenopause. During this stage, you may see some symptoms, but they should start to reduce in severity and frequency as you progress through the rest of your life.
So, where exactly is the Menopause part? Well as we mentioned, that marker occurs when you’ve been period-free for 12 months, and marks the end of Perimenopause and the beginning of Postmenopause. If you’re unsure, keeping track of your cycles, periods, and symptoms with the Hormona app is a great way to see where you are in your menopause journey.
How do you know you’re in Menopause?
Now, we need to be very clear here. Everyone’s Menopausal transition is unique to them. You may see no symptoms at all before your periods stop, or you may see lots. And any symptoms you do 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 each month, it may come as a bit of a shock when they start getting significantly lighter or heavier than normal. That’s if you’re still having periods.
A tell-tale sign that you’re heading for Perimenopause is a change in your periods. You may find yourself menstruating every couple of weeks or notice a change in consistency. And PMS might strike randomly.
Once your periods have completely stopped, i.e., no bleeding for 12 consecutive months, then you’ve hit the second stage, Menopause.
Hot flashes
Most people have experienced a hot flash at one point or another. Whether through embarrassment or extreme heat, hot flashes generally aren’t the most comfortable events and can feel like someone’s cranked your internal thermostat up as high as it can go.
If you start experiencing hot flashes regularly, there’s a good chance you’re in Perimenopause. Lasting for several minutes, hot flashes can lead to excess sweating and a red blush across your body. And if you wake up in soaked bedclothes, that’s the night sweats, a classic transition symptom.
Vaginal dryness or pain
Generally speaking, the inside of your vagina should be slightly moist and well-lubricated. That’s unless you’re experiencing significant hormonal fluctuations.
Since levels of Estrogen are low during the Menopausal transition, the vaginal walls start 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 through many physical symptoms, it can also have a significant impact on your emotional well-being. From mood swings to anxiety and feeling tearful for no reason, the transition can leave you feeling horrendous.
Since Estrogen helps with multiple brain functions, the dramatic fluctuations during transition can alter your emotional state in a heartbeat. If you feel that your emotional health is suffering during transition, please talk to your doctor about what’s happening.
How do you know you’re in Menopause? Time to find out…
Real talk time. If you think you’re heading for, or are already well in Perimenopause, there are some things you can do to get a definite answer. First off: Tracking. Use your Hormona app to keep an eye on any symptoms you’re seeing, as well as track your periods and cycles.
Secondly, if you’re in your mid-40s or older, chances are your age and a discussion of your tracked 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’re in contact with your healthcare team.
Thirdly, make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Good health is vital during the Menopausal transition, not only to help with symptoms, but also to lower the risk of things like type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and cardiac issues.
Finally, remember: You’re not alone. Millions of women around the world are going through their transition at any one time. With support and the right therapies, you’ll make it through. And we’re here for you every step of the way.
