The menopausal transition is a normal part of aging for women.
Understanding Menopause
Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual periods come to a permanent end and she can no longer get pregnant. While the average age of menopause in the United States is 52, the transition begins years earlier in a process known as perimenopause. Most women enter perimenopause in their mid-40s and remain in this stage for two to eight years. During this time, the ovaries gradually produce lower levels of the hormones’ estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which can be accompanied by irregular periods and a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.
Symptoms
While menopause affects each woman differently, symptoms may include:
Hot flashes and night sweats. Known as vasomotor symptoms, these affect 80% of women at some point during their transition.
Urinary problems. These include urgency, frequency, incontinence, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Painful sex. Vaginal changes such as dryness and irritation can lead to painful or uncomfortable sex.
Mood swings. Menopausal women may experience irritability, and they are at a higher risk of depression and anxiety.
Difficulty sleeping. It is common for women during menopause to struggle with falling and staying asleep. This often leads to exhaustion.
Body changes. Some women may experience weight gain. Other changes include dry skin and joint and muscle pain.
Cognitive effects. These include forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and brain fog.
Treatment and Outlook
Though some symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats will likely improve over time, many of the other symptoms often persist. Some women may choose to seek treatment when symptoms become severe or disrupt daily life. Nonprescription remedies and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms, and prescription medications or hormone therapy may be recommended. In all cases, it is important for women to consult with their healthcare provider, who can help them navigate this transition and its symptoms.
An Expert Weighs In:
“Midlife women do not get the medical attention that they deserve. Some women have mild symptoms, but for the ones who are impacted more severely, these symptoms can have devastating effects to their physical and mental health. These women are trying to manage these symptoms while also balancing their careers, marriages, children, and aging parents. It is time that we take midlife women’s symptoms seriously and not dismiss them as being ‘a normal part of aging.’ We need to recognize that women’s health expands beyond childbearing years and that their care during midlife should be prioritized the same as their younger counterparts.”
Laruen Barlew, WHNP-BC, MSCP
Owner, Lotus Center for Women
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in advertising. While attending Lee, Rachel served as editor-in-chief and creative director for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Rachel has assumed the role of managing editor, where she is responsible for the annual development and completion of seventeen publications involving health, wellness, and lifestyles articles that are published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
