When does menopause begin?

Mar 06, 2024 (01:14 PM)

Menopause usually begins somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55. It is important to understand that it is not a precise point in time but rather a transition period that can span several years before the last period and even after. During this period, women experience gradually reduced levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to a range of physical and emotional changes.

It is also important to note that the starting age of menopause can vary from person to person. Some women may experience menopause earlier than others, while some may not go through it until later in life. Genetics and heredity play a role in when menopause occurs. Other factors that can affect the age of menopause include smoking, health conditions and lifestyle.

Menopause is retroactively defined as the time when a woman has not had a period for a full year. The period before this is called "perimenopause" and may be associated with the aforementioned symptoms. After menopause, the woman is in "postmenopause," and hormone levels are usually low and stable.

Early menopause

When women enter menopause early, before the age of 40, it is called early menopause or premature menopause.

It is important to listen to the body's signals and get help in dealing with troublesome symptoms that arise in connection with the menopause.

What is Menopause?

Menopause, also known as menopause, is a natural process that women go through when the fertile phase is over. Menopause thus marks the end of the reproductive phase of a woman's life. During menopause, the ovaries' production of estrogen and progesterone (sex hormones) decreases.

Symptoms and signs of menopause

Entering menopause often leads to a range of physical and emotional changes, including symptoms such as:

-Irregular periods: Periods start to come irregularly and where the bleeding can be both heavier and lighter than usual.
-Hot flushes and sweating : Sudden feelings of warmth in the upper body and face, often followed by profuse sweating.
-Sleep problems: It is common for women to experience sleep disturbances and sleep problems during menopause.
-Mood swings: Menopause can lead to increased sensitivity, anxiety, and depression in some women.
- Decreased sexual desire : Many women experience a decreased sexual desire during this period.
- Dry mucous membranes in the vagina : The mucous membranes in the vagina can become thinner and drier, which can cause discomfort and pain during intercourse.
- Osteoporosis: Reduced estrogen production can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
-Weight gain: Many women experience some weight gain during menopause.

It is important to understand that menopause is a natural part of the life cycle and many of the above symptoms and menopausal symptoms can be managed and treated with lifestyle changes and sometimes hormone therapy if necessary.

Different stages of menopause

During menopause, a woman goes through different phases and stages that can span several years. The most common terms used to describe the different stages of menopause include:

1. Perimenopause : Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause. It usually begins several years before the last menstrual period. During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually begin to reduce production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems and mood swings.
2. Menopause: Menopause is the time when a woman has not had a period for a whole year. This officially marks the end of the reproductive phase. Usually this occurs somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55 but can also happen earlier.
3. Postmenopause: Postmenopause is the time that follows menopause. During postmenopause, hormone levels continue to be low and stable. Many of the bothersome symptoms associated with perimenopause can gradually improve during postmenopause.

It is important to understand that these steps and symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Some women may experience menopause as a relatively smooth transition without too many discomforts, while others may have more noticeable symptoms that require treatment.

Coming into menopause earlier

What is the first sign of menopause?

The first signs can be irregular periods, mood swings, depression, sleep disturbances and hot flushes, but sweating, dry mucous membranes , reduced sex drive and pain inmuscles and joints also occur.

Can you reach menopause at 40?

Yes, you can and even earlier than that. Early menopause, or premature menopause as it is also called, can occur for various reasons. This means that a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40, which is earlier than the average age of menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Here are some possible causes of early menopause.

1. Genetics: Heredity can play a big role in the age of menopause. If women in your family have gone through early menopause, it may increase your risk that you will too.

2 . Autoimmune diseases: Some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can affect the ovaries and lead to early menopause.

3. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy: Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can damage the ovaries and cause early menopause as a side effect.

4. Surgical removal of the ovaries: If a woman undergoes an oophorectomy (surgical removal of both ovaries), she will immediately go through menopause.

5. Smoking: Smoking can be associated with early menopause.

6. Certain medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as galactosemia and Turner syndrome can also increase the risk of premature menopause.

Early menopause can present special challenges because it can increase the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and other health problems. Women experiencing early menopause should discuss their specific situations with a doctor to determine the cause and consider treatment options if necessary to manage symptoms or minimize the risks of long-term health problems.

How early can menopause start?

-It can start already in the 20s, but it is relatively rare.

Am I pre-menopausal?

-If the period has stopped for more than 6 months, one can suspect that it is due to the menopause or other typical symptoms of the menopause are present. See a doctor for further support if you are unsure.

This is how you can manage menopausal symptoms with diet and exercise

Yes, diet and exercise can play a role in managing and relieving menopausal symptoms. Here are some ways diet and exercise can affect:

Diet:
- Focus on a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
- Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol, as these substances can increase the occurrence of hot flashes and sweating.
- Increase your intake of foods that contain phytoestrogens, which are natural substances that can help balance hormones. Examples of such foods include flaxseeds, soy products, and legumes.
- Monitor your calcium intake to support bone and bone health, as menopausal women are at risk for osteoporosis.
Exercise and physical activity:
- Regular exercise and physical activity can help relieve stress and improve sleep, which can be beneficial in managing menopause symptoms.
- Cardio and strength training can help reduce the risk of weight gain and maintain a healthy weight during and after menopause.
- Exercise and strength training can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis associated with menopause.

It is important to remember that the effects of diet and exercise can vary from person to person. What works best for one individual may be different for another. It is wise to consult with a doctor or a dietitian to create a customized diet and exercise plan that takes into account your specific needs and symptoms during menopause.

So you can manage symptoms with nutritional supplements

There are nutritional supplements specifically designed to manage troublesome symptoms associated with menopause. These often contain a combination of substances that have shown an effect on different types of menopausal symptoms in studies.

For example, some plants contain phytoestrogens, estrogen-like substances that can affect the body in a similar way to estrogen, which can be beneficial during this period when the body's own estrogen drops.

Sweating, hot flushes and mood swings

We at Elexir Pharma have developed a very carefully composed product for the menopause period, we call itME-NO - Menopause Balance. ME-NO is based on organic, cold-pressed borage oil rich in the fatty acid GLA together with extracts of red clover containing phytoestrogens and yam root.

Red clover helps maintain a calm and comfortable menopause and helps women manage the symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, sweating, restlessness and irritability.

Yam root contributes to a calm and comfortable menopause with a focus on relieving restlessness and irritation.

Dry mucous membranes

Dry mucous membranes are a common problem that occurs when estrogen production drops. We have two nutritional supplements designed for dry mucous membranes. Buckthorn and Membra femin forte . The products are based on organic sea buckthorn oil rich in omega-7, which contributes to the normal function of the mucous membranes.