About Menopause - 2 minute read

The Mood Swings, the Sweats, the Dryness! Is This My New Normal?

Whether you’re dealing with mood swingshot flashesvaginal dryness or some other symptomsit’s completely understandable if you’re worried that what you’re experiencing is as permanent as the impending end of your period. After all, women and experts alike call them symptoms of menopause. But that’s a bit of a misnomer. What they actually signal is called the menopausal transition (aka peri-menopause)And that matters because—thankfully!like all transitions, this phase and much of what comes with it is temporary.  

As your body begins to change in peri-menopause (usually in your mid 40s)your hormone levels gradually decline until you eventually hit menopause (defined by a full 12 months with no period). But they don’t decline in a nice, orderly fashion. Quite the opposite. The only predictable part about this stage? It’s totally unpredictable! Hormone levels can spike and drop for years, causing symptoms to wax and wane (or linger). For example, you might have irregular periods and trouble sleepingthen everything seems hunky dory for a whilebefore hot flashes and vaginal dryness come on fast and furiousSymptoms, their intensity, and the length of peri-menopause also differ for every woman. Some of us find ourselves in the transitionalsymptomatic phase for 12 to 15 years, others only for a few years or months. But, in general, as you get closer to menopause, you may notice that symptoms ramp up and peak as estrogen levels remain low for longer stretches 

The silver lining is that when symptoms are most acute you’re likely close to relief. In the years following menopausesymptoms start to subside, and most women adjust to the lack of estrogen beautifully. Over time, your true new normal emerges — and it’s way more bearableEven though you may still experience hot flashes for a few years after menopause, they’re often less bothersome, according to one meta-analysis published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. You’ll also feel more energeticthe anthropologist Margaret Mead referred to this phase as a “postmenopausal zest”— and your mood should stabilize as feelings of depression and anxiety fade.  

Vaginal dryness is one symptom that won’t improve without treatment, however. So talk to your healthcare provider (HCP) or try a daily vaginal moisturizer or lube, which can ease discomfort and improve your libido. Also talk to your HCP if other symptoms persist or interfere with your life—no matter where you are in the menopausal transition. There are effective treatments! And he or she can guide you through your options.  

 

References 

Santoro, Nanette, M.D. “Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.” Journal of Women’s Health2016 Apr 1; 25(4): 332–339. 

Politi, Mary C. Ph.D., et. al. “Revisiting the Duration of Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of General Internal Medicine2008 Sep; 23(9): 1507–1513. 

Dorfner, Micah. (2015, March 25) “Menopause Transition: What’s Normal?” Mayo Clinic News Network. Retrieved from https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/menopause-transition-whats-normal/  

Ferrari, Nancy. (2017, October 3) “Menopause-related hot flashes and night sweats can last for years.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/menopause-related-hot-flashes-night-sweats-can-last-years-201502237745 

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Continue the Conversation

I just started this journey. You hear the stories about hot flashes but nothing else. I thought I was loosing my mind. I could barely function at work. I cried all the time -even at work! I could not remember anything. My temper was out of control.  And the night sweats – oh the night sweats. I went to the doctor and he was of no help. He told me to sleep more, exercise and loose weight.  I heard about pepper & wits and just started taking the multi symptom supplement and I already see an improvement. I actually want to move around and go for walks now. My normal is changing but it is now bearable. 

— Sherry


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