Menopause Symptoms

Right, let's dive into what the Mayo Clinic has to say about menopause - and they don't mince words. Menopause is officially diagnosed after 12 months without a period, full stop. The average age is 51, although it can occur anywhere from the 40s to the 50s. Basically, your ovaries are hanging up their boots after decades of service.

The Mayo Clinic emphasises that menopause is natural, but symptoms can disrupt sleep, energy, and mood. Effective treatments, from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy, are available.

Before menopause, there's perimenopause (the warm-up act), lasting 2-8 years with an average of 4. During this period, hormone levels fluctuate as ovaries gradually decrease estrogen and progesterone production, slowly winding down your reproductive system rather than stopping abruptly.

The symptoms during this transition are the usual suspects: irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, and that delightful brain fog where you can't find words or remember why you walked into a room. Different women experience different symptoms - there's no standard menopause experience, which is both reassuring and frustrating.

During perimenopause, periods often become unpredictable—they may skip a month or disappear for months before resuming. Early on, cycles may become shorter, then longer as menopause approaches. You can still get pregnant, so a missed period doesn't mean menopause.

Menopause can happen naturally or be caused by several factors: surgical removal of ovaries (instant menopause - no gradual transition), chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or primary ovarian insufficiency (premature menopause before 40, affecting about 1% of women).

The Mayo Clinic is quite frank about the long-term health implications. After menopause, your risk increases for cardiovascular disease (heart disease is the leading cause of death for women), osteoporosis (brittle bones that break more easily), urinary incontinence, sexual problems due to vaginal changes, and weight gain because your metabolism slows down.

Menopause is natural, but suffering isn't necessary. Treatments are available, and you should consult your healthcare provider regularly. Urgency is only emphasised if you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, which requires immediate attention.

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