Menopause Age: What to Expect, Early Symptoms


Menopause is the phase in female reproductive life that marks the end of the fertile phase. It is a natural aging phenomenon that is universal but its beginning can vary from person to person. Several stages lead up to menopause like the “transition phase,” “menopause phase” and the “post-menopause”. All these stages consider the “menstrual cycle” or a period as the base reference.

The average age at which the majority of females achieve menopause is 52. (This data is from a US survey). Many hormonal changes also contribute to the process of menopause.

Stages of Menopause

Menopause is a gradual process divided into different stages. However, there are three distinct stages created for a better understanding of female health −

Perimenopause

This stage is described as the “stage of transition” because it initiates the process of menopause. This stage can start during the early or mid-40s. During this stage, we observe a sudden decline in the level of estrogen hormone which accelerates the process of menopause.

Perimenopause stage can begin 5-10 years before actual menopause, most females can reach menopause during the last few years of perimenopause but in a few cases, the menstrual cycle has been observed to be active and therefore we cannot consider the chance of pregnancy to be completely out of scope.

Menopause

This is the point where the menstrual cycle is completely stopped. A specialist declares this condition to be active when the female experiences a complete absence of a menstrual period for over a year (12 months).

Post menopause

This is the period after menopause which lasts for the rest of life. During this phase, the peak symptoms of menopause start to get better and the body starts adjusting to this new phase of reproductive life. Though the symptoms are suppressed the body is exposed to several health problems due to the low level of estrogen. This is the first knock of old age on the doorstep of life.

Age Factor in Menopause

A range is assigned to each stage which is based on the data collected from the hospitals and clinics −

  • The perimenopause stage is encountered between the age of 40-55 years.

  • Menopause is achieved at the age of 52-58.

  • 55 and beyond is the stage of post-menopause.

Symptoms of Menopause and What to Expect

Some symptoms are common in all the stages while some are distinctive −

During Perimenopause

  • Mood swings, sleeping issues(insomnia), irritability

  • Irregular periods and invariable bleeding (heavy or light)

  • Hot flashes and vaginal dryness

  • Hair fall

  • Libido swing

  • Headaches

  • Constipation

During Menopause

  • Stoppage of the menstrual cycle

  • Health issues due to low levels of estrogen

  • Hot flashes and vaginal dryness

  • Headaches

  • Weight gain

During Postmenopause

  • Prolonged hot flashes

  • Depression

  • Headaches

  • Urinary issues

  • ADHD symptoms

While the female body undergoes drastic changes during pre- and post-menopause, here is an attempt to explain a few symptoms that have a huge impact on their bodies −

Hot Flashes

It is a condition in females caused due to a decline in the level of estrogen. This results in excessive sweating, a red face, and a sharp feeling of heat in the body. Hot flashes affect the part of the brain responsible for temperature management and the feeling of heat is invoked due to this. In response to this, the body dilates the blood vessels to release heat which can lead to a sudden chilly feeling. Hot flashes can make you feel restless and irritated.

PMS

PMS stands for perimenopause symptoms which include regular symptoms of menopause such as irritability, headache, cramps, bloating, etc. During the late ’40s, PMS worsen for a lot of women.

ADHD Symptoms

These symptoms can cause a lack of concentration and severe mood swings, predominantly because of hormonal changes in the body. The fluctuations are mainly caused due to serotonin, progesterone, and estrogen.

Factors Influencing Menopause

Menopause can be affected by a lot of factors such as the ones briefed below −

Lifestyle

Eating routines, smoking, and sleeping cycles affect menopause. Vitamin B6 and zinc deficit diet also fuel the process. Eating junk food can also be responsible for early menopause. Both primary and secondhand smokers may experience early menopause due to tobacco intake.

Ethnicity

Genetics plays an important role too. According to the National Council of Aging Care, Hispanic women experience early menopause while Japanese women experience menopause at a much older age.

Weight & Physique

According to studies, BMI value affects the process of menopause. Higher BMI results in late menopause.

Conclusion

There have been a few cases where women experience menopause in their late 30s which is very rare and unwelcoming. In conclusion, let us consider reviewing the steps that can prevent premature menopause −

  • Maintain a healthy diet enriched with vitamins and mineral-fortified food.

  • Exercise regularly to maintain a good BMI.

  • Get enough sleep for a properly functioning cycle.

  • Keep checking on your blood and sugar levels by getting tests done at regular intervals.

Updated on: 27-Feb-2023

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