Menopause and Perimenopause – How is it Affecting Me?
You may have seen the recent TikTok and Instagram videos proclaiming, “How I love being a woman” to Hozier’s romantic “Would That I”. Here, we see women dancing in open fields, laughing with friends, and sharing the intricate details of what makes womanhood. But we have not yet seen the words “menopause” or “perimenopause” take the screen on these social platforms as guitar plucking softly wafts into the air.
What do we, at TOAG, love about being women? The amazing way our body functions and changes throughout all stages to allow for the creation of life! But perhaps this wonderful, fundamental aspect of womanhood isn’t always as glamourous as the sentiments this social media trend is looking for. At Toowoomba Obstetrics and Gynaecology, we acknowledge that menopause and perimenopause are normal, healthy parts of a woman’s life, but can bring many not-so-nice effects, that maybe we aren’t comfortable sharing online.
Today, we are going to vocalise some of the ways menopause and perimenopause may be affecting you, and what your options are. TOAG wishes to celebrate and support the wonders of the female body throughout all life stages, so you can continue to pronounce “How I love being a woman”.
What are Menopause and Perimenopause?
Menopause is the age-related, natural biological process by which menstrual cycles and fertility permanently end. Here, an individual’s ovaries produce less estrogen until this hormone is no longer produced, and their body works to adapt to the new levels. This typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average Australian age of 51 . Menopause finishes after a woman has not had a period for 12 months, and this usually takes approximately 7 years, but can extend to 14 years.
Some women start perimenopause in their mid-30s, whereas others may start in their mid-50s. This is the start of the reduction of estrogen production.
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, and usually begins several years pre-menopause.
Some Common Effects
With menopause comes many bodily and mental change. Many women find that this can affect various spheres of life, including how they navigate relationships, work, and down-time. However, physical effects should not necessitate changes to your everyday movements. All women experience menopause differently; however, some common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Lighter or heavy periods
- Thinning hair
- Breast pain
- Dry/itchy vagina (vaginal atrophy)
- Hot flushes or chills
- Changes in mood and sleep schedules
- Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
- Urinary incontinence
There are many other symptoms of menopause, which we outline here. Normally, menopause symptoms are hereditary, so it’s a good idea to ask older female relatives about their personal experiences.
Perimenopause affects women in similar ways to menopause, with urinary problems, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, mood changes and sleep issues being prevalent. More specific to perimenopause are irregular or skipped periods.
Managing Menopause
Many natural lifestyle choices can be made to promote the best possible menopause and perimenopause experience:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Studies show that symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes are lowered by maintaining a healthy weight.
- Consuming a high-calcium and vitamin D diet: These components are associated with bone health, and bone loss can occur during or post menopause.
- Exercise Regularly: Exercising can improve bone and joint health, promote a better sleep schedule, and reduce stress. It also reduces the risk of heart disease, which is increased with menopause.
- Consuming phytoestrogen-high foods: Such foods can mimic estrogen effects, and therefore help with hormone balancing.
- Drink plenty of water: The effects of hormonal changes can be minimised by drinking 8-12 cups of water each day.
These are only a few measures. Talk to your GP, TOAG, or Google for more lifestyle changes to minimise menopause symptoms.
Is my Experience “Normal”?
Going through perimenopause and menopause can be a challenging process, and you may feel confusion surrounding what effects are “normal”. Healthcare professionals, the women in your life, and various online resources are here to help you navigate this stage of womanhood.
It is important that you talk to the TOAG team, your GP, or another medical professional if you are experiencing the following:
Physical discomfort due to symptoms:
Your everyday movements should not be affected by menopause. If you feel anything more than “strangeness”, and must change your daily activities, contact TOAG.
Diagnosis of an additional long-term medical condition:
It is important that you talk to your GP and gynaecologist if you must take additional medication for conditions such as heart disease or osteoporosis (which increase in risk from menopause). This is because medications can impact other treatments and conditions, including any surrounding menopause.
Bleeding after not having a period for 12 months:
It is not normal to bleed after menopause. See a doctor and request testing to identify the cause.
Treatment Options
If you are experiencing significant discomfort from menopause or perimenopause, talk to a health professional. Depending on your individual bodily needs and changes, TOAG does offer numerous treatment options to allow you to continue to “love being a woman”.
Learn more about treatment options here.
Ask your GP for a referral if you have any concerns or questions about your perimenopause and menopause journey.