Signs and Symptoms of Menopause at Every Stage

Feeling moody? Sweating at night? Getting hot in a cold room? Libido in the...you get my drift.

If you are a woman between the ages of 45 and 65 you will experience the three stages of menopause - perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. It's a fact of every female life.

Some women will glide through. One month they're having a regular period, the next, nothing and it never comes back! These women are oblivious to the "change".

Others get hit with a brick wall, experiencing the whole spectrum of symptoms all at once. (Don't worry if you're one of them, a new ebook called Nature's Back Up Plan for Menopause is almost ready for production!)

The whole menopausal process is run by the main reproductive hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

Every woman is different and will have a unique experience with the process. Getting a handle on what's happening in your body is vital to a better understanding of the treatment choices available. And there are a lot!

What is Menopause Anyways?

We usually call the whole process at the end of our reproductive years - menopause. In fact, menopause simply refers to the time one year after your last period.

In other words, you haven't gone through menopause until you haven't had a period for one year. Five years around that time is called the "climacteric" and refers to the time when a women's hormones are fluctuating. It's during this time that women experience a variety of symptoms.

Premenopause

Sometimes referred to as the time period, within perimenopause, before the last period. It can also refer to when your hormones are stable, menstruation is regular and no decline in hormone production has occurred.

Symptoms during this stage may pertain to premenstrual syndrome or PMS and are experienced during the monthly cycle.

  1. In first half of monthly cycle, estrogen levels peak.
  2. After ovulation estrogen levels drop as progesterone levels rise.
  3. If egg is not fertilized both levels decline and you begin your menstrual bleed.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is defined as the time before and after your last period until your hormones stop fluctuating and settle in to their new stable levels. This is also the 'climacteric' phase mentioned above.

  1. Estrogen still produced by ovaries.
  2. Ovulation is sporadic.
  3. Progesterone is not produced every cycle so you may not have a monthly bleed.

It is during this time that you will experience the range of symptoms associated with menopause.

Postmenopause

This stage starts the day after your last menstrual bleed. Yes, there is an overlap with perimenopause. This term is not usually used until one year after the last bleed as fluctuations in hormones may cause you to have very sporadic periods. Usually, if you have gone six months without a period you won't have another. But you never know!

  1. Estrogen is now present mainly in fat cells.
  2. It is produced by the cells breaking down and converting adrostenedione, a male hormone.

Organ and System Changes

During the perimenopausal stage a woman undergoes changes to specific areas of the body. Those areas are the ones where women usually experience symptoms.

Head

  • Migraines
  • Headaches

    • Brain

  • Mood changes
  • Memory changes
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

    • Hair

  • Hair Loss
  • Texture changes
  • May not hold dyes the same

    • Skin

  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Hot Flushes
  • Prone to acne and pimples
  • Thinning
  • Changes in elasticity
  • Prone to dryness

    • Breasts

  • Lumpiness
  • Tenderness

    • Lungs

  • Prone to Asthma

    Digestive System

  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Increases sensitivity to certain foods

    Joints

  • Stiffness
  • Mobility changes

    • Muscles

  • Easily fatigued
  • Backache
  • Loss of muscular coordination
  • Loss of muscular strength

    • Bones

  • Lost of bone density

    • Body Fluids

  • Fluid retention
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Swollen ankles and face

    • Genito-urinary system

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Walls of vagina become thinner
  • Bladder walls thin causing loss of sphincter control
  • Supporting muscles to rectum weaken
  • Bladder tends to weaken

    • List and Links of Symptoms of Menopause

    These changes a woman's body experiences can lead to a myriad of symptoms and can affect women differently. Staying ahead of the game, before you experience symptoms is the key.

    The following is a list of symptoms, women coming to see us at our naturopathic clinic, have experienced. As I am constantly researching and analyzing new data, please check back often, subscribe to our RSS feed or subscribe to our free e newsletter.

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    Experiencing a symptom not listed here? Contact our Ask the Expert and find other women experiencing the same symptom and answers from on of our Experts.

    Some of these symptoms could be signs of more serious conditions so if you are concerned please see your naturopathic doctor.

    Have a question about menopause you want answered?

    As your body changes symptoms manifest that may have you puzzled or concerned. If you have questions, we will do our best to answer them. We have Dr. John Yim, naturopathic physician, a specialist in women's health available to answer your questions. Just fill out this form and look for his answer on our menopause blog!

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    Some of these symptoms could also be a sigh that your thyroid is acting up.


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    Common Menopausal Symptoms and Their Natural Remedies

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  • Hot Flashes
  • Night Sweats
  • Sensitivity to Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Concentration and Memory Problems (Mind Medicine)
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Vaginal Dryness and Itching
  • Bladder Problems
  • Heavy Bleeding
  • Varicose Veins
  • Weight Gain
  • Changes in Libido
  • Changes in Eyesight
  • Spotting During Menopause

    • Some of these symptoms could indicate your thyroid is acting up.

    If you have a symptom to add or have a question...then Ask Our Experts!

    Fill out the form and one of our panel of Healthy Living Coaches will find you an answer.

    Pay it forward and let other women know they aren't alone.



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