All About Menopause

Written by Cinestie Olson

We know that we are all about period health here. We’ve talked about different blood color meanings, symptoms, and self-care tips. One thing we haven’t discussed, however, is what happens when we stop getting our period? We’re talking about menopause! 

What is Menopause?

Just like periods, menopause is a very natural part of life. Menopause marks the end of your reproductive years, where you may notice your body and hormones start to change (yes, again). The medical term for menopause is 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. There are three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

The Three Stages of Menopause

Perimenopause is the transition from regular menstrual cycles to menopause. It typically begins between 2-10 years before menopause (usually in your 40s). During perimenopause, your body will go through the following stages:

• Release less eggs regularly 
• Produce less estrogen
• Not ovulate, or are fertile
• Shorter or more irregular periods

During perimenopause, you may notice several symptoms as well! Here are a few of the most common symptoms:

• Mood changes
• Lower libido
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Joint and muscle aches

Just a forewarning - you may still be able to get pregnant during perimenopause!

Menopause happens after perimenopause. Your body has stopped producing eggs, having periods, and estrogen levels dropping significantly. Everyone’s body is different, and menopause can happen at different ages. The most average age to reach menopause naturally is 51. Genetics, health, surgical procedures, and medical interventions can affect which age you may reach menopause. Perimenopause and menopause symptoms are very similar, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Postmenopause is the time after 12 consecutive months of no menstrual cycles. Usually, menopause symptoms will subside or go away completely due to your estrogen and progesterone levels becoming very low. Due to the lack of these hormones, people in postmenopause may be at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis. 

Symptoms you may experience in postmenopause are:

• Depression
• Insomnia
• Weight changes
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Lack of control over urination

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Here’s to our forever-changing bodies and loving them in each individual stage they are in <3