Menopause Support Group Online.
Dealing With The Symptoms Of Menopause.
Half of the world’s population will experience the menopause, and yet it’s a topic that’s rarely discussed. Menopause impacts every female at some point in their life.
In the UK 1 in 4 women contemplate leaving their job due to menopausal symptoms.
Stages Of Menopause.
There are three stages of Menopause:
Peri-menopause, Menopause and Post Menopause.
Peri Menapause
This is defined as the years leading up to the menapause . A womens oestrogen level declines in her 30s and 40s and this fluctuation in hormones causes an imbalance . This transitional period marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years .
The peri menapause can last from anything to 3-6 years.
Symptoms may include :
Erratic menstrual cycle leading to longer or shorter periods, heavier or lighter periods. It can also cause headaches , breast pain and stomach pain. Some women may experience insomnia and thinning of the hair on the scalp. More increased hair growth can occur on the face or other parts of the body. For some women this period can include weight gain and the thinning of the vaginal wall leading to pain during sexual intercourse or a decreased libido.
Emotional symptoms can include frustration and anxiety especially due to the lack of awareness surrounding the peri menapause .
Resources:
Menopause and Post Menopause.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when your ovaries stopped producing the hormones that cause your menstrual period and have gone without a period for 12 months in a row. It is a natural decline in reproductive hormones most commonly when a woman reaches her 40s or 50s. However women can go through menopause at an earlier age. Menopause is signalled by 12 months since last menstruation. A surgical menopause is experienced after a hysterectomy.
Post Menopause
Post menopause is a term to describe the time after someone has gone through menopause. When you're in post menopause, your menstrual period has been gone for longer than 12 consecutive months. At this stage in life, your reproductive years are behind you and you're no longer ovulating (releasing eggs). The menopausal symptoms you’ve experienced in the past may become milder or go away completely. However, some people continue to experience menopausal symptoms for a decade or longer after menopause.
Symptoms may include: Fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, osteoporosis, hot flashes, or sweating as well as early awakening or insomnia. Skin dryness, loss of hair and pain during sexual intercourse as well as dizziness and weight gain.
Women may also experience emotional symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, moodiness, reduced sex drive, panic attacks
Remedies can include Hormone treatments ( HRT).
Self-care is very important during the menopausal period, such as sleeping well, exercising, looking after your physical and mental health, and eating healthily to give your body a chance to deal with midlife changes.
Resources: