The menopause is a process that every woman will experience once her reproductive years come to an end. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years.
Menopause is a time of significant change for women, starting with the arrival of perimenopause. Perimenopause begins with changes to the menstrual cycle and may last for several years. Perimenopause ends one year after a woman’s last menstrual cycle.
It is crucial to note that menopause is not a disease or a medical condition. Instead, menopause is a normal part of the biological aging process that marks the end of the reproductive stage in a woman’s life. Menopause can be a challenging time in a woman’s life and impact both her physical health and mental wellbeing. Due to the disruptive effect that menopause can have on a woman’s life, treatments to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause, such as hormone replacement therapy, are often prescribed.
One of the most spoken-about side effects of the menopause is hot flashes. However, many women experience hot flashes alongside a wide range of other symptoms.
Common symptoms that are experienced during menopause include the following:
- Irregular periods.
- Chills.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Thinning hair.
- Low mood.
- Dry skin.
- Night sweats.
- Weight gain due to the slowing down of the metabolism.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Low energy.
- Joint pain.
- Reduced libido.
- Brain fog.
- Anxiety.
Understandably, these unpleasant symptoms can significantly disrupt a woman’s life, impacting everything from sleep quality to mental health and physical wellbeing. In addition, women that are experiencing menopause are also at higher risk of developing conditions such as osteoporosis. With the help of hormone replacement therapy medication, these symptoms can be reduced.