Menopause is a natural and inevitable process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is important to understand and prepare for the effects of menopause, as it can significantly impact a woman's physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Natural biological process experienced by women typically between the ages of 45 and 55, marked by the end of menstrual cycles. It is divided into three stages: perimenopause, which can start several years before menopause, typically when a woman is in her 40s. Menopause is usually reached around the age of 51, and postmenopause can vary from woman to woman.
Perimenopause is the first stage and can last anywhere from a few months to several years. During this stage, a woman's menstrual cycle becomes irregular and may skip a few months. Other common symptoms include hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, loss of libido, trouble sleeping, and worsening of premenstrual symptoms.
Menopause is the second stage, and it officially begins when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The most common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, mood swings, trouble sleeping, brain fog, change in metabolism, weight gain, thinning hair, dry and/or itchy skin, generalized aches and pains, and loss of breast fullness.
Postmenopause is the final stage and begins one year after a woman's last menstrual period. During this stage, a woman may experience night sweats, depression, changes in sex drive, insomnia, dry skin, weight changes, hair loss, and urinary incontinence.
It is important to note that the severity and duration of these symptoms can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some women may experience few symptoms and have an easy transition through menopause, while others may experience more severe symptoms that can significantly impact their daily lives.
Therefore, it is important to contact Dr. Leveno about your symptoms and develop a personalized plan to manage them. This may include lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, or other treatments to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause and improve overall quality of life.