The word menopause refers to the last or final menstrual period. At menopause, loss of ovarian follicles, follicular development and ovulation results in cessation of cyclical oestrogen and progesterone production.

The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause. The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55. It usually lasts about seven years but can be as long as 14 years. The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity.

The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways. The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.

What causes menopause?

Menopause occurs naturally when a woman’s ovaries no longer have any eggs to release, and its symptoms are caused by a drop in the levels of the hormone oestrogen.

In the lead-up to natural menopause, hormone levels can swing from high to low as the body transitions (perimenopause).

Early Menopause

Early menopause is when a woman’s last monthly period occurs between the ages of 40 and 45 years. Up to 1 in 12 women have their last period by the time they are 45 years. When menopause occurs before the age of 40, it is considered to be ‘premature menopause’. Most Australian women experience normal menopause between the ages of 45 and 60 years.

What are the signs and symptoms of menopause?

Here are the most common changes you might notice at midlife. Some may be part of aging rather than directly related to menopause.

Common physical symptoms include:

• hot flushes and night sweats
• sleep problems
• headaches
• muscle and joint pains
• dry vagina (causing painful sex)
• sore breasts.

Common emotional symptoms include:

• mood changes (feeling unhappy or depressed)
• tiredness
• forgetfulness
• brain fog (difficulty concentrating)
• anxiety.

How Can You Ease the Symptoms?

Natural remedies, such as eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein and staying hydrated, can help reduce menopause symptoms — and they are good practices for your overall health. Adding certain supplements to balance hormones may also help. 

For more information on how to naturally reduce menopause symptoms, read our informative blog Stop the Menopause Madness

And find at Gr8 Health essential vitamins and supplements to help ease the menopause unpleasant symptoms! 

References

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-menopause#:~:text=Menopause%20is%20a%20point%20in,between%20ages%2045%20and%2055.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menopause

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/menopause

https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/what-is-menopause
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/early-menopause#:~:text=Early%20or%20premature%20menopause%20is,a%20woman’s%20ovaries%20are%20removed.