Many women suffer from menopausal symptoms for years, such as night sweats, mood swings and new aches and pains, and wonder: When will it end?
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The term "menopause" technically refers to a single day: the day that has passed since the last menstrual period 12 months ago. As women age, the communication between two hormones that affect the ovaries, FSH and LH, and other hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, such as estrogen, becomes disrupted.
Hormones fluctuate in middle age, with estrogen decreasing and FSH rising, causing symptoms such as hot flashes. When the ovaries stop producing hormones, ovulation ceases, resulting in the last menstrual period.
The average age at menopause is generally 51, but most women experience a "perimenopause" (transitional phase) between the ages of 45 and 55. Early menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45, while premature menopause occurs before the age of 40 and requires medical consultation.
Although menopause technically occurs in a single day, symptoms may begin up to ten years before or continue afterward. Many people group the three stages together: premenopause, the day of menopause, and postmenopause.
On average, women experience symptoms for about seven years, but there is significant variation among them, so there is no fixed rule for when menopause ends. Some women begin experiencing menstrual cycle changes in their early forties, while others may start in their thirties and continue for years. Still others experience symptoms only around their last period, or they may persist long afterward. Some symptoms, such as decreased bone density, are only visible through medical imaging
Symptoms typically appear in a cluster, the most common being hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Up to 95% of women experience cognitive symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, while up to 60% suffer from insomnia.
Less commonly reported symptoms include vaginal dryness, itching, changes in sensitivity, weight gain around the abdomen, joint pain, and muscle loss. Several factors can worsen these symptoms, including smoking, lack of exercise, and excess weight. Genetics also plays a role, as variations in estrogen receptor genes can influence the severity of hot flashes and night sweats.
The symptoms range from mild in some to severe, affecting daily life in others. Those who suffer from them should consult a doctor.
Estrogen affects the entire body, not just the ovaries, so the effects of its decline can last a lifetime. In postmenopausal women, the risks of dementia, osteoporosis, and heart disease increase, and may be even higher in those who experienced early or premature menopause.
Research has shown that inflammation increases in many women after menopause, accelerating tissue aging and raising the risk of disease. With increasing life expectancy, women may now live up to half their lives after menopause. Therefore, healthy choices, such as good nutrition, improved sleep, and exercise, including strength training, make a real difference to postmenopausal health.
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