Am I Going Through Menopause?

Menopause is a natural part of aging in women when the menstrual period has permanently stopped for 12 consecutive months.  For those who haven't experienced it, understanding the stages of menopause and exactly what menopause is can be confusing.  What is perimenopause? When does menopause start, and how long does it last? What happens to the body during menopause? What are the signs and symptoms of menopause? How do you confirm if you are in menopause or postmenopausal?

What is Menopause?

Usually occurring in the middle of a woman’s life stage, menopause is the event when the menstrual period permanently stops, and the woman can no longer bear children. Menopause is not a disease or disorder but a very natural occurrence and a normal part of aging for women. Science has described menopause as the point in time when a cis-woman has gone 1 year without a menstrual period. On average, in the United States, women enter menopause around the age of 52, but everyone is different.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause happens when your body starts transitioning to menopause. Your body is essentially moving towards the end of its reproductive years. During this phase, your ovaries produce fewer hormones, causing irregular menstrual cycles. Perimenopause is natural but comes with symptoms that can affect a woman’s physical and mental health.  Perimenopause can start as early as your mid-30s until your mid-50s, usually 8-10 years before Menopause. Everyone is unique. Some women experience perimenopause for a short time, while others are in it for several years. Pregnancy during perimenopause is not uncommon despite the erratic menstrual cycle and declining hormone levels.

What Happens During Menopause?

The changes that occur during menopause are tied to hormones that are produced by the ovaries.  During the perimenopause phase in your life, estrogen will decrease, which in turn affects another hormone called progesterone. When you reach menopause, your body will make so little estrogen that it will no longer release eggs.  At this point during your life stage, you would stop having your period and a natural pregnancy becomes nearly impossible.  Estrogen and progesterone have a great influence on other bodily processes besides reproduction.   These include immune function, bone health, cholesterol levels, skin health, blood clotting, brain function, mood regulation, and cardiovascular health.  The far-reaching effects of these hormones account for the myriad of symptoms some women experience before and after menopause.

When does Menopause Start and How Long Does Menopause Last?

Everyone is different, but on average in the United States, women enter menopause around the age of 52. Early menopause (which is not the same as perimenopause) occurs at age 45 while premature menopause is considered around 40 or younger.  Menopause is a specific point in time, so you don’t stay in menopause. Once you’ve reached the point in time when you haven’t had a menstrual cycle in 12- months, you enter the postmenopausal stage which will last for the rest of your life.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

There are a variety of symptoms typically associated with menopause.  Not everyone will experience symptoms at the same time or with the same severity.  Some of the physical signs of menopause include:

• Hot Flashes
• Night Sweats
• Irregular/Heavy Menstrual Cycle
• Vaginal Dryness or discomfort
• Painful Intercourse
• Decreased Libido
• Reoccurring Vaginal Infections or UTIs
• Urinary incontinence
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Poor Sleep Quality
• Soreness in the breasts
• Joint Pain
• Aches in muscles and bones
• Restless Leg syndrome
• Weight Gain or bloating
• Heart Palpitations
• Thinning Hair
• Dry Skin
• Skin Sensations (pins and needles)
• Dry Mouth
• Dry Eyes and Visual Problems

Psychological symptoms of menopause include:

• Mood Swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic Attacks
• Irritability
• Feeling Tearful
• Poor Concentration and Memory lapses
• Low Confidence

How Do You Confirm Menopause?

Knowing when you are going through menopause can be difficult to determine.  Many of the symptoms are common to other conditions.  When and how a person experiences the signs of menopause can vary greatly.  Fortunately, lab testing can help to identify the cause of your symptoms.  These test results can help you work with your doctor to determine if you are experiencing a biological change from decreasing hormone levels.  Request A Test's Menopause Hormone Panel includes multiple tests that can give you peace of mind and valuable information about your health.  For people who are already past menopause, some tests can help screen for or monitor common health complications that many people experience.  A Post-Menopause testing panel looks at things like cholesterol, metabolism, immune health, vitamin deficiency, and hormone levels.  Ordering your own lab testing is a great way to take charge of your health.

Request A Test offers hundreds of self-testing options in addition to the menopause panels.  These include other hormone and wellness tests for women and men.  We partner with 2 of the largest certified lab companies in the USA to offer over 7,000 locations so getting a test near you is no problem.  We don't require insurance and there is no need to get an order from your doctor because we provide it.  Affordable pricing.  Easy ordering. Fast results.  To get started, visit our site online or call 888-732-2348.  Our representatives are always available during business hours to help answer your questions or place an order.

Sources: 

• What Is Menopause? | National Institute on Aging
• Perimenopause: Age, Stages, Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
• The Top 34 Symptoms of Menopause | MyMenopauseRx

DISCLAIMER: The medical information in this post is for informative purposes only

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