Three Stages of Menopause
Perimenopause
The three to five years before menopause are referred to as the perimenopause period. During this stage, oestrogen and other hormone levels in your body begin to drop. Typically, women enter this stage during their mid to late 40s, and their menstrual cycles become irregular.
Menopause
You are said to be in menopause when you have missed your menstrual cycle for 12 straight months. The transition from the perimenopause stage to menopause can take up to seven years, depending on your lifestyle, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption. Each woman is different and unique, and, therefore, the menopause symptoms they experience will also be different.
Events other than ageing normally that can lead to early menopause include:
- Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
- Oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries)
- Premature Ovarian Failure – underactive/inactive ovaries because of genetics, surgery, cancer treatments, insufficient follicles, or ovarian dysfunction
Postmenopause
The postmenopause stage starts after one full year of missed periods after the last menstrual cycle. The symptoms that often start during the perimenopause stage continue through the menopause and postmenopause stages.
These symptoms may include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Elevated heart rate
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
- Mood changes like irritability, anxiety, and depression
- Increased urination
- Urinary issues
- Vaginal dryness which often causes discomfort during sex
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle pain
- Thinning or loss of hair
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Reduced libido
- Dry skin, eyes, and mouth
- Tender or sore
- Reduction in muscle mass
- Stiff or painful joints
- Reduction in bone mass
- Increased hair growth on the face, neck, upper back, and chest
Commonly occurring complications of menopause are:
- Vulvovaginal atrophy
- Painful intercourse
- A slowdown of metabolic function
- Oesteoporosis – reduction in bone mass and strength
- Sudden mood changes
- Cataracts
- Periodontal disease
- Urinary incontinence
- Blood vessel or heart disease
If you live in Tilaknagar, Hyderabad, and you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you can visit Aanvi Fertility and Women’s Centre and get treated for menopause in Tilaknagar and consult with Dr. Swarna, an experienced and expert gynaecologist in Tilaknagar.
Menopause Treatment
Most menopausal women do not need any kind of treatment. However, you may require treatment if you have severe symptoms and they are affecting the quality of your life.
For women below 60 years of age or within 10 years of the onset of menopause, doctors may recommend hormone therapy as an effective treatment. This helps reduce and manage symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, osteoporosis, etc.