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Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive years. But how can you tell if you’re in menopause or approaching it? The journey usually begins with perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause. Understanding the signs can help you recognize where you are in this journey and seek support if needed.
Perimenopause typically starts in your 40s, but for some women, it can begin as early as their mid-30s. During this phase, your hormone levels—particularly estrogen and progesterone—start to fluctuate. This hormonal rollercoaster can cause irregular periods, heavier or lighter menstrual flow, and cycles that are shorter or longer than usual.
Common symptoms of perimenopause include:
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Reduced libido
- Changes in skin elasticity or hair texture
Perimenopause can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years, gradually leading up to menopause.
Menopause itself is officially diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. For most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51. However, menopause can occur earlier due to factors like genetics, medical treatments, or surgical removal of the ovaries. Once menopause is reached, your ovaries stop releasing eggs, and estrogen production declines significantly. This hormonal shift can lead to additional symptoms, including joint pain, memory issues, or changes in weight distribution.
The term "menopause" is often used to describe the later stages of perimenopause as well, when symptoms become more pronounced and the transition to the postmenopausal phase is near.
After menopause, you enter the postmenopausal stage, where symptoms may ease for some women, but the lower estrogen levels can increase the risk of conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Regular health checkups and lifestyle adjustments become key to maintaining long-term well-being.
The answer is a resounding "Yes!" but it's important to know what to look for.
The symptoms of menopause can differ from woman to woman, but typically they include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, as mentioned before, you may be in menopause/ perimenopause. There are many ways to enjoy cyclical living in menopause, and it doesn't require having a menstrual cycle. You can still work with the phases of the moon, use natural rhythms to plan your days, and connect with your body in other ways. There is support at any stage of menopause, so don't hesitate to reach out for help.
In fact, there are a lot of ways you can support your cyclical living at this stage. The first thing to do is to listen to your body. Menopause is a time of change, and your body will be telling you what it needs. Honor those signals and find ways to work with them. For example, if you find that you're no longer menstruating, you might want to try a different type of cycle tracking method.
You can support a cyclical lifestyle at any stage in your life, and you don’t need your menstrual cycle to do it. You may find that some changes are necessary as you enter into menopause, but with a little bit of adaptation, you can continue to live a life that is in rhythm with your natural cycle.