Menopause is a biological process that occurs naturally for most women in their 40s or 50s. Though the average age of menopause for American women is 51 years old, the transition often begins much earlier. Keep reading to learn more about menopause, including its causes, stages, symptoms, and treatments.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is the official end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. As a woman ages, her levels of reproductive hormones naturally decline. This decline can begin as early as your late 30s as your ovaries start to produce less estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that regulate menstruation and fertility. Most women then see an end to their menstrual cycles in their 40s or 50s. Though menopause is often a gradual process that occurs naturally for most women, it can also happen prematurely or suddenly due to health conditions or medical procedures, such as hysterectomy.

3 Stages of Menopause

When menopause occurs as a natural, gradual process in aging women, it takes place in three stages:

1. Perimenopause: Perimenopause, also known as the menopause transition, may start 8 to 10 years before menopause. For many women, it begins in their late 30s or 40s as the ovaries begin producing less estrogen. During this stage, you may notice changes to your menstrual cycle. Your periods may become longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter than normal, or you may skip periods. You may also start to notice menopause symptoms in this stage. Remember that as long as you’re still having periods, you can still get pregnant.
2. Menopause: Menopause is the official point at which your ovaries stop releasing eggs and you stop having periods. At this time, your ovaries have also stopped producing most of their estrogen. You will be diagnosed with menopause after you have gone 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period. At this stage, you can no longer get pregnant.
3. Postmenopause: Postmenopause is the final stage of menopause, and it defines the rest of your life after you stop menstruating. During this stage, your menopause symptoms may improve. However, women can continue to experience symptoms for a decade or more after menopause. Because of your reduced estrogen levels, you now have a higher risk of health conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

Menopause Symptoms

Women can experience menopause symptoms starting as short as a few months or as long as a decade before reaching menopause, and symptoms may continue for years afterward. You could notice a variety of possible symptoms as you go through the stages of menopause. Every woman is different and experiences menopause differently. Possible symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Irregular periods
• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness
• Breast tenderness
• Loss of breast fullness
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Thinning hair
• Libido changes
• Urinary urgency
• Memory issues
• Trouble concentrating
• Joint and muscle aches
• Chills
• Bone loss
• Heart palpitations

Treating Menopause

There is no cure to stop menopause since it is a natural biological process. However, there are treatment options available to reduce symptoms. One of the most effective treatments for menopause is hormone replacement therapy. This therapy helps restore the hormones your body is no longer producing to relieve disruptive symptoms. Vaginal estrogen creams can be used to treat symptoms like vaginal dryness and discomfort with sexual activity. Other medications that may be prescribed could include antidepressants, gabapentin, fezolinetant, clonidine, vitamin D supplements, or others. You can also make lifestyle and diet changes to manage symptoms. Limit spicy and caffeinated foods and drinks, as these can worsen hot flashes and sleep issues. Try eating foods that contain plant estrogen, such as chickpeas, soybeans, flaxseeds, lentils, fruits, and vegetables. Regular exercise can also help improve symptoms and make it easier to sleep at night.

Hormone Replacement Therapy at Village Discount Drugs

Every woman’s menopause journey is different. You may experience symptoms that are more or less severe than others, and yours may start earlier or later. If your menopause symptoms are disrupting your quality of life, help is available. Here at Village Discount Drugs, we offer compounded hormone replacement therapy to replace the hormones your body is missing so you can live a healthier, happier life throughout this time of transition. To find out how we can help, please reach out to us today.