Menopause usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55 and is the last menstrual period in a woman's life. It is the stage where menstruation does not occur for 12 months.
What happens in the body:
-
the ovaries stop producing eggs and significantly reduce the production of estrogen and progesterone
During menopause, a woman's ovaries gradually stop producing female hormones. She stops being fertile and enters a period where she can no longer get pregnant. First, there are changes in the menstrual cycle, which becomes irregular and eventually stops altogether.
Typical symptoms of menopause:
-
hot flashes, night sweats
-
insomnia, fatigue, mood disorders
-
vaginal dryness, decreased libido
-
increased risk of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) and cardiovascular disease
Menopause support:
-
hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
-
dietary modification, dietary supplements (calcium, vitamin D)
-
regular exercise, psychological support
-
You can find menopause care at the Femvie e-shop here.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the period before menopause, usually starting after age 40 and lasting 4–10 years. Women entering perimenopause may experience symptoms similar to PMS rather than classic menopause symptoms – they should not be confused.
What happens in the body:
-
decrease in estrogen and progesterone production
-
irregular ovulation
-
greater fluctuations in hormones, leading to significant symptoms
Perimenopause symptoms can persist for many years before full menopause is reached, usually in the early 40s. Symptoms such as anxiety, lower energy, and later vasomotor symptoms may begin. Vasomotor symptoms include “hot flashes” or “night sweats.” Women may experience rapid, rapid changes in body temperature, palpitations, and shifts between feeling hot and cold.
Whatever experience a woman is going through, it is important to remember that it is not an illness, but a natural progression into another phase of the female life cycle.
Typical symptoms of perimenopause:
-
irregular menstrual cycle
-
night sweats, hot flashes
-
mood swings, irritability, anxiety
-
sleep problems
-
vaginal dryness, decreased libido
Perimenopause support:
Supporting your nutritional and emotional well-being during this process can provide the perfect environment for this ebb and flow to be perceived as a positive transition.
Articles on perimenopause and menopause:
Clinical studies:
Cleveland Clinic (2023)
"Hormonal Imbalance in Women"
my.clevelandclinic.org
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2020)
"Estradiol and Progesterone as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Midlife Women"
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Mayo Clinic (2023)
"Menopause: Hormone Therapy Overview"
mayoclinic.org
The BMJ (2023)
"Hormonal Contraception and Risk of Cardiovascular Events"
health.com via BMJ
Harvard Health Publishing (2023)
"Perimenopause: Rocky Road to Menopause"
health.harvard.edu
JAMA (2023)
"Safety and Efficacy of Hormone Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms"
health.com via JAMA
