What is the Menopause
Menopause is when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without menstruating. Although menopause can occur in your 40s or 50s, the average age of women reaching the menopause in the UK is 51. This stage of life means that the woman can no longer become pregnant naturally.
Different Stages of the Menopause
The different stages of the menopause include perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
1. The following are the most common symptoms women have during perimenopause :
- Having heavier or lighter periods than usual
- Less regular menstrual cycles
- Vasomotor symptoms ( VMS ) , such as hot flushes , night sweats , and / or flushing
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Difficulty sleeping
- Constant fatigue
- Anxiety
- Joint pain/stiffness
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of libido
Hot flushes are thought to affect 75 % of women throughout menopause and are often noted as being one of the most frustrating symptoms and one that affects their lives the most.
2. Below you
will find the most common symptoms of menopause :
- Restful and disturbed sleep , sometimes leading to insomnia
- Tiredness and irritability
- Weight gain that often comes from nowhere ( i.e. , without a change in diet or eating more unhealthy foods )
- Vaginal dryness
- Melancholy , anxiety , attention deficits , and memory issues
- Diminished sexual desire or libido
- Dry mouth , eyes , and skin
- Itchy skin
- More frequent urination and urinary pain
- Sensitive or painful breasts
- Stiff or painful joints
- Reduced breast size
- Decreased bone mass
- Loss or thinning of hair
- Brittle nails
- More frequent headaches
- Urinary tract infections ( UTIS )
- Faster beating heart
- Decreased muscle mass
- More body hair growth , especially on the face , neck , chest , and upper back
