Signs of Menopause

Menopause is a natural process in a woman's life that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. This marks the stage where a woman no longer has menstrual periods or is able to become pregnant again. 

Menopause does come with symptoms and those can last on average around 7 years. However, menopause affects women in many ways, beginning at different ages, and lasting for varying lengths of time. 

Studies have shown that 75% of women experience moderate to severe menopause symptoms such as:

• Weight gain
• Hot flushes
• Insomnia
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Short-term memory problems 
• Upset bowel
• Dry eyes
• Itchy skin
• Mood swings
• Urinary tract infections

Some women may not experience many symptoms, whereas others may struggle being able to manage their symptoms. There are some things women can do in preparation for this, which can help to better manage the symptoms and the overall process. 

Taking vitamins, and looking after your health and diet are simple steps women can take as they spot signs of menopause. 

What are the signs?

A clear sign that shows the early stages of perimenopause is a change in the normal pattern of menstrual cycles. 

Some women see their periods become lighter, whereas some get them a lot heavier than usual. The frequency of periods can change too, where they may not have them for a month and in some cases, women have them once every two or three weeks. 

Not all women may experience early signs of menopause, but most do experience perimenopause symptoms as they get closer to the time. These symptoms can begin months and years before menopause starts, so it’s good to understand them. 

According to the NHS, these are some of the early signs of menopause:

• Anxiety
• Change in mood
• Difficulty sleeping
• Discomfort during sex
• Feelings of loss of self
• Hair loss or thinning
• Headaches or migraines
• Hot flushes
• Increase in facial hair
• Reduced sex drive

When a woman starts to notice any of these symptoms it’s always recommended to speak with a doctor, as they are able to provide a professional opinion and help to find ways to feel more comfortable during this time. 

Are menopause symptoms constant? 

Women may experience perimenopause and menopause symptoms for years at a time. 

According to Healthline “Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are a common symptom of perimenopause. One study found that moderate to severe hot flashes could continue past perimenopause and last for a median of 10.2 years. 

Symptoms like hot flushes can last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes at a time. They can happen several times an hour, a few times a day, or just once or twice a week. 

It is normal to see a change in your symptoms over time. Some women who started off with hot flushes and night sweats have seen those symptoms lessen, and at the same time, their mood swings have become worse. 

This is normal and part of the natural process. 

Improve your habits

Signs of menopause can help with understanding when it’s time to really start taking care of the overall health. 

Women can begin taking vitamins and supplements containing essential nutrients that the body may need when starting the perimenopause stage. 

Internal Youth is a great place to start when looking at natural supplements that can not only boost your overall health but also lessen some of the menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.