Perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause: what are the symptoms?

Menopause is divided into 3 phases, each phase has an indeterminate duration in each woman. To add to the confusion, every woman will experience menopause differently.

The 3 phases are perymenopause, menopause and postmenopause.

Perimenopause begins years before your last period. Small changes can happen without you even realizing it, and then you get a hot flash, which is a wake-up call. Menopause is when your period stops completely. When you have had a full year without your period, you have gone through menopause. On average, menopause is around the age of 51, although some go through it earlier and others later. Then postmenopause is everything that happens after menopause, basically the rest of your life.

Here is a list of common symptoms:

One of the first signs that you’re entering perimenopause is that your period becomes irregular, or you miss one here and there, sometimes even for a few months at a time. The next thing will be the appearance of hot flashes. They may start mildly at first, but menopause takes years to pass, and eventually the hot flashes will increase.

Night sweats go hand in hand with hot flashes. You wake up in the middle of the night and your bedding and nightgown are completely saturated. Some women experience night sweats and not hot flashes, or vice versa, or both or neither; but chances are you have at least one of these symptoms.

Vaginal dryness is another side effect of menopause. Decreased estrogen levels cause physical changes in the moisture and elasticity of the vaginal walls and a decrease in natural lubrication. Over-the-counter lubes can take your place for a while, but eventually it will be too painful to continue, making love hurts too much, and it’s easier to avoid. Ask your doctor about hormone replacement therapy and if it’s right for you.

The lack of sexual desire and the loss of intimacy in your marriage can be frightening. Maintaining an open dialogue with your partner and an open mind in the bedroom can help both of you during this time. You may also experience urinary incontinence. The incidence of depression is increasing and may warrant seeing a doctor for help.

You may gain weight for no reason; It is a side effect of menopause. Fluctuating hormones are to blame, as are the tough times you’re going through. Keep your eyes on a healthy diet and exercise and it can be fixed soon.

Insomnia is also a side effect of lower estrogen levels. With all that in mind, it’s easy to blame stress, but it’s a side effect of declining estrogen levels. Taking melatonin, starting with the 1mg size, one to two hours before bed can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the body as day turns to night. It has no side effects and is safe. Take the lowest dose and you’ll wake up refreshed.

Mood swings can take you by surprise. Add a hot flash and it can seem out of control. Your memory is also not what it used to be. You may be worried, but these are all natural consequences of estrogen withdrawal and very common in menopause.

One of the most debilitating physical symptoms is hair loss, sometimes it seems full! This can be scary as your self-esteem and self-confidence are shaken as your hair is constantly falling out. Your hair loses the thickness and body that it had in your youth. Trying out a new hairstyle can be a lifesaver here.

Not all of these symptoms can be present at once, thank goodness, but rest assured that some will be recognizable. Keeping a sense of humor at all times is helpful and looking on the bright side of everyday events will help you get through this sometimes difficult time in life.