Do you know what the 3 phases of the Menopause are?
Hi ladies, if being a woman isn’t challenging enough nature decided that once we start reaching middle age it would mess with our bodies a bit more. Most of us have of heard of the Menopause (sometimes referred to as the ‘the change’) but not the perimenopause as much. And, even if you have heard the word, how many of us understand the symptoms? So, let’s start from the beginning.
- Pre menopause – Regular periods
- Perimenopause – The time leading up to menopause when a woman stops menstruating because of a loss of functioning of her ovaries due to low oestrogen levels. Usually lasts 2-7 years but in some cases could go on for 15 years! This is likely to start from the age of 40, although some women may notice subtle changes in their mid-30’s
- Menopause – The event of menopause is a single point in time when you go a year without menstrual bleeding. The average age is 51
- Post menopause – The time after the last menstrual period that lasts the rest of a woman’s life.
So, what is happening to our bodies on the Perimenopause starts?
Common symptoms include
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Anxiety and depression
- Reduced libido
- Cognitive function – Foggy brain, difficulty making decisions
- Loss of confidence
- Vaginal dryness
- Low mood and mood swings
- Menstrual changes
- Heath problems
- Insomnia – Tiredness, irritability, poor concentration
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Palpitations
- Fatigue
- Skin problems/itchy skin
- Joint aches
- Hair loss
- Etc.
These symptoms can impact us in a psychological way for example:
- Beliefs and attitudes
- Worries about health and aging
- Mood and Self esteem
- Values and life plans
Also, in our social environments
- Life stresses
- Relationships
- Work
- Caring roles
- Social support
For more information you can go to #KnowYourMenopause and download your own support pack – https://mailchi.mp/ca8bb43a1973/knowyourmenopause
Here are some other useful links:
NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23BMS – British Menopause Society – https://thebms.org.uk/menopause-specialists/overview/