Average Age of Menopause
A woman’s life is indeed an interesting one especially when it comes to the physical aspect. All through a woman’s life, hormones play a big role when it comes to the many physical changes happening to the body. From the start of menstruation to getting pregnant, after birth and menopause, hormones bring about all these changes. As to what age a woman enters menopause may vary but there is a specific age range when it starts.
Pre-menopause (Before Onset of Menopause)
When a woman is undergoing the transition to menopause, several body changes happen due to the fluctuation of hormones. Even before the onset of menopause, a woman may already experience menopausal symptoms and this phase is called pre-menopause. During this time, a woman is already advised to take in calcium supplements in order to avoid weak bones due to the decreasing levels of estrogen. Pre-menopausal symptoms may start years before menopause and even before the last menstrual cycle happens. The pre-menopause phase happens typically within a year after the last menstruation.
Average Age of Menopause
The average age of menopause is one of the most frequently asked questions by most women. Menopause generally happens between the ages of 45 to 55 years old. According to studies, back in the olden days, menopause did not happen until the average age of 60 years old but as time went by, the average age of menopause occurred between their 40s to 50s. The reason for this could be due to the current lifestyle that woman have these days along with caffeine and alcohol consumption. In the US, the age of 51 is the average age of menopause. Menopause is a process that takes years and it does not happen overnight.
Early Menopause
Although the average of menopause happens between the mid-40s to 50s, there is such thing as the early menopause which can happen during the 30s. There are a number of reasons as to why some women experience early menopause. There are women who undergo early menopause after undergoing hysterectomy or the surgical removal of all or part of the uterus. Women who are chronic cigarette smokers may also experience early menopause. Other causes of early menopause are the surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), chemotherapy medications, trauma and artificial radiation.
In approaching menopause, it is still important to prioritize a woman’s health and that she be given the right knowledge in order to be able to cope with all the changes that will happen to her body as she starts another chapter of her life. There are women who are emotional during this time of their lives because these changes could be confusing for them. If you think that you are about to start menopause, consult your doctor so that you could be given the supplements you may need. Don’t forget to keep a healthy weight and an active lifestyle along with a balanced diet.
Emotional Problems during Menopause
Menopause is phase of every woman’s life. As to how a woman will experience menopause will vary for there are those who feel normal while some go through a lot of distress. During this time, there are different things that happen to a woman’s body and symptoms are often seen along with these changes such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes and mood swings. All these changes can be confusing and overwhelming and can largely affect a woman’s emotional health. These emotional problems are but a normal phase of menopause and in order to prepare for it what better way than to have a better understanding of it.
Emotional Problems during Menopause
- Mood Swings
During menopause, women are noted to have mood swings. In fact, mood swings are present even during re-menopause. Women who have experienced postpartum depression are most likely to have mood swings as they approach menopause. Mood swings are because of the fluctuation of the hormones in the body that can affect a woman’s mood.
- Depression
There are menopausal women who undergo depression and at times can worsen because of difficulty in getting a good night’s sleep. But depression is not only because of menopause. It could start during the middle age where a woman’s children have grown up and leave home and other worries including aging. If a woman has observed that her depression is becoming worse, it would be best to consult a physician about it so that it is given remedy.
- Sexual Problems
Vaginal dryness is one of the symptoms of menopause and may happen before the onset of menopause. This happens because the vagina’s natural ability to lubricate decreases with age due to the decreasing estrogen levels that causes the vaginal lining to be thinner and less elastic. Because of this, intercourse may be painful and can affect a woman emotionally. This may be treated with prescribed vaginal lubricants after consulting a doctor.
Symptoms of Menopause and How It Affects Emotions
- Hot Flashes and Emotions
Hot flashes are something that is commonly experienced by most menopausal women. Hot flashes are a feeling of intense warmth usually the face and neck and at time all over the body. It can cause profuse sweating along with feeling lightheaded and nauseated. It suddenly occurs and may happen a few times in a day. Because it happens without warning, it can be embarrassing to a woman when it happens in public causing feelings of anxiety when going out or attending to social events.
- Insomnia and Emotions
Difficulty in sleeping or insomnia is a common problem during menopause. Causes for this are night sweats and the decrease of the hormone progesterone that helps in promoting sleep. If a woman continuously experiences insomnia, it may cause fatigue, bad moods, anxiety, frustration and even depression. Lacking sleep can be tiresome and can affect a woman emotionally and physically.
- Other Emotional Problems
Due to the decrease in estrogen levels, emotional problems occur during menopause. Most menopausal women find it hard to concentrate, other tend to be forgetful while some become anxious. Because of these changing hormonal levels, women experience mood swings and are often irritable.
Emotional Problems during Menopause Related Resources
Menopause and Weight Gain
Menopause signifies the end of a woman’s ability to reproduce as her reproductive system is no longer able to do so thus the cessation of menstrual cycle. Menopause can be distressful time for some women for it goes along with quite uncomfortable symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and thinning of hair to name a few. Apart from these, weight gain is one of the things that most women are faced with which can happen even during pre-menopause.
Cause of Weight Gain before and after Menopause
Weight gain and menopause are related because of the many changes that happen to a woman’s body and the causes for which are as follows:
• Hormonal changes
During pre-menopause and menopause, a certain hormone called estrogen rapidly decreases. This hormone is mainly produced by the ovaries but fat cells are also able to produce this hormone in small amounts. Because the ovaries have decreased it production of estrogen, the body will compensate for this by getting it from the fat cells and with this the body will convert large amounts of calories to fat to produce more estrogen causing weight gain.
• Stress
Hormonal imbalance is not the sole reason for weight gain during menopause. The stress hormone cortisol can also cause the body to store in excess fats which also attributes to weight gain.
• Lack of Physical Activity
Due to the symptoms brought about by menopause, some women experience fatigue while others feel weak at most times thus the presence of physical activity is decreased and with this weight gain may happen.
• Other factors
Other factors that could also attribute to weight gain on menopause are the slow metabolism, genetics and insulin resistance.
Avoiding Weight Gain during Menopause
• Healthy lifestyle
This is perhaps the most effective way of avoiding weight gain during menopause. A healthy lifestyle is a combination of having a balanced diet, engaging into regular exercise and managing stress levels. They do not only help avoid weight gain but they help in managing menopause symptoms too.
• Avoid the intake of excess calories
If you are taking in more calories than what your body needs, chances are you will gain weight as the excess calories will not be used by your body for energy but rather be stored in the body as fat.
• Starving one’s self is not the answer
Some women think that the answer to avoid weight gain is by starving one’s self. Not only is starving unhealthy but it does not help as it only slows down metabolism which can further cause weight gain during menopause.
• Lower stress levels by getting enough sleep
Lowering stress levels is crucial in avoiding weight gain during menopause. This may be done by getting enough rest and sleep especially at night where the body recharges and repairs itself in preparation for the next day. Stress techniques may also be used such as meditation. Furthermore, it is advisable to limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol to keep off weight gain during menopause.
Menopause and Weight Gain Related Resources
Body Changes after Menopause
Menopause is a phase at woman’s life where menstrual cycle totally ceases and symbolizes that a woman is no longer reproductive. The average onset of menopause is between 45 to 55 years of age. It could be a hard transition for women as it can bring about body changes after it happens. Although these changes are something that can be distressful at times, still, living a healthy life is still very possible. Since all these changes can be overwhelming and confusing at the same time, being prepared for it by understanding and knowing the right facts can help a lot.
Causes of Body Changes after Menopause
During menopause, hormone levels are fluctuating and these hormones are estrogen and progesterone which are mainly focused on the reproductive system. When a woman is aging, the ovaries are no longer able to produce enough of the said hormones. Because of the decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone, body changes happen and these body changes after menopause bring about long-term effects.
Types of Body Changes after Menopause
After menopause happens, there are body changes that a woman will notice. Changes such as memory problems, poor skin elasticity, decreased muscle tone and strength, problems with bladder function, weight gain, decreased sex drive, vision problems and urinary tract infections can be observed. Although not all women will experience everything aforementioned but there are some who will experience most of them. Other body changes after menopause are:
• Bone Loss
Our bodies are always on the process of replacing whatever part of the body needs to be replaced and one of which are bones. Women are mostly at risk for bone loss because in the process of replacing broken down bones, the hormone estrogen is much needed. Because after menopause estrogen is no longer adequate, no replacement is happening while bone break down occurs making a woman prone to bone fractures. This is why, women who are approaching menopause and after menopause should ensure to take in adequate amounts of calcium supplements to keep the bones strong.
• Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is a type of disease that affects heart specifically the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. In this condition, plaque build-up occurs in the arteries causing blockage thus less supply of blood to the heart. High amounts of blood cholesterol could be one of the causes of this disease. Estrogen plays a role in protecting the heart from diseases such as this in women by increasing good cholesterol levels. It is also estrogen that helps in lowering the formation of blood clots and helps improve blood flow to the heart. Due to the decrease of estrogen after menopause, women become at risk of developing this disease and other heart problems.
Coping with Body Changes after Menopause
Menopause can be distressing even the body changes after menopause could be something some women may find it hard to adjust to but it is very possible to adapt to these change by having a healthy lifestyle. One of the tried and true ways to adapt to these changes is by engaging to regular exercise and have a balanced and healthy diet. A diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D is highly recommended to keep those bones strong and healthy. As much as possible, do away with the stress and get emotional support from your loved ones.
Menopause and Mood Swings
Some women find the transition to menopause as a hard phase in their lives because it is the sign that they are no longer reproductive and they will be dealing with a number of changes in their body. The start of menopause does not begin right away, in fact its symptoms already show even before the menstrual cycle completely ceases. Most women experience distressing symptoms such as sleep difficulties, hot flashes and often mood swings. Mood fluctuation are not only hard for a menopausal woman but for the people around her as well.
Average Age of Menopause
The usual age of onset of menopause is between 45 to 55 years old depending on when a woman started her menstruation. During this time, menstrual cycles completely cease. Because of the hormonal changes happening in a woman’s body, mood swings is one of the manifestations of it. Along with other symptoms, it can cause distress to a woman experiencing menopause.
Causes of Mood Swings during Menopause
Perhaps a lot of women are wondering as to why mood swings happen during menopause. There are several reasons behind it; one is the fluctuation of hormonal levels. Hormones specifically androgen, estrogen and progesterone can affect another hormone serotonin which is associated with neurotransmitter that have something to do with a person’s mood. High levels of serotonin can cause a happy mood to a woman but when it is low it can cause depression.
Natural Ways on How to Deal with Mood Swings during Menopause
Although mood swings are already part of the menopausal phase, there are a number of natural remedies that women may make use of to manage it. While some prefer to go to yoga classes or find other outlets to keep their mind off their mood, there are alternative treatments that make use of herbs and supplements. They are not yet backed by scientific studies but women are free to try them. Just a reminder, before starting to use them be sure to consult your doctor first to ensure they do not cause interactions with other prescribed drugs you are possibly taking.
- Vitamin E
There are actually women who claim that taking in vitamin E has helped them feel relieved of some of the symptoms brought about by menopause. Health experts recommend that when taking it, be sure to not take in more than 400 IU per day as it could be hazardous to one’s health.
- Black Cohosh
More and more women are taking in black cohosh as a means of relieving symptoms they are experiencing due to menopause. It is true that it has yet to be proven to be effective but it has kept its record clean as there are no reports that it is unsafe to use.
- Phytoestrogens
Although estrogens are hormones that our body produces, there are also foods that have naturally occurring estrogens and they are called phytoestrogens. It generally has two types which are the isoflavones and the lignans. Isoflavones are found in chickpeas, certain types of legumes and soybeans. Lignans on the other hand are found in flaxseed, other types of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Although they are said to be helpful in relieving symptoms of menopause, there are also concerns about placing a woman to be at risk of cancer.
Ideal Vitamins for Menopause
Facing menopause can be something that may be overwhelming and at times confusing for some women as it can cause a number of changes in the body. Menopause does not necessarily have to an unpleasant experience although symptoms such as hot flashes can be distracting and uncomfortable. More than half of women who are experiencing menopause have felt unpleasant situations due to the symptoms brought about by menopause. But nonetheless, there are remedies that women many use along with ideal vitamins for menopause that are approved by doctors after consulting them.
Ideal Vitamins for Menopause
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not helpful in keeping the immune system healthy but it also helps in ensuring that the skin stays firm and not saggy because the skin may lose some of its elasticity during menopause. Vitamin C also helps in preventing or at least minimizes the occurrence of vaginal dryness as well as other symptoms such as hot flashes.
- Vitamin E
There is still not enough scientific basis to support that taking in 800 IU of vitamin E a day can help in minimizing hot flashes during menopause. Health experts are also reminding women that taking in more than 400 IU of vitamin daily could be unsafe even if its effects may take weeks before it goes noticed which is why before deciding to increase or take in vitamin E, make sure to consult your doctor about it.
- Calcium
One of the things that menopausal women should watch out for are bone problems. It is recommended that they take in at least 1,200 mg of calcium each day to avoid bone breakdown. Doctors highly advise calcium citrate as it is easily absorbed by women who are aging along with 400 mg of vitamin D for calcium absorption.
More Vitamins for Menopause
- Vitamin B6 and B3
Vitamin B6 is said to have antioxidants that are helpful in brining relief to some of the symptoms that menopausal women are experiencing. However, women should be aware that it should never be taken along with vitamin E. B vitamins are needed for a healthy nervous system but taking in more than 300 mg of vitamin B6 in a day can put them at risk of nerve damage. Sources of vitamin B6 are fish, bananas, lean meat, spinach and cheese to name a few. Vitamin B3 or Niacin is beneficial to women who experience sleep disruptions at night. The recommended dose for vitamin B3 is 50 to 100 mg daily.
- Multiple Vitamins
Menopausal women are also recommended to take in multiple vitamins and minerals such as vitamins E, C and B vitamins. Magnesium should also be included as it helps in managing mood swings, irritability and anxiety. Before you start using vitamins, especially if you plan taking them together, be sure to consult your physician to ensure that there is no contraindication in taking several vitamins altogether.
Ideal Vitamins for Menopause Related Resources
Best Diet for Menopause
As a woman approaches menopause, several changes in the body occur. Staying healthy is essential in order for the body to be able to adapt to the changes occurring. The best diet for menopause is one that helps in managing the symptoms and other common problems that most women experience. There are vitamins and minerals that can help a woman as she goes through menopause.
The Best Diet for Menopause
Staying healthy as a woman undergoes menopause is same as staying generally healthy where a balanced diet is needed. Definitely included in a diet for menopause is one that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy food, lean meat and heart-healthy foods. This healthy combination of foods are notably low in caloric content and fat which allows a woman to put on a healthy weight and has essential nutrients to be resistant of diseases. Women on menopause are highly advised to take foods that contain saturated and trans-fat, foods rich in salt and sugar and alcohol be taken in low to moderate amounts.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals in a Diet for Menopause
- Calcium and Vitamin D
Women who are about to enter menopause or is at menopause are highly at risk of developing bone problems such as osteoporosis or bone weakness. The best way to keep the bones healthy is by eating different types of foods that are good sources of calcium and vitamin D. Menopausal women are recommended to take in 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium and 800 international units of vitamin D per day according to the USDA. Vitamin D and calcium may be used as replacements for the hormone estrogen and can help in avoiding menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, migraines, mood changes and vaginal dryness.
Calcium Sources: Foods that are excellent sources of calcium are mostly dairy products such as hard cheeses, yogurt, cottage cheese and milk. It is best to go for the low-fat variation of these calcium-rich foods. Other excellent sources of calcium are dark-green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and collards. Another good source of calcium are fishes such as salmon and sardines. Foods that are calcium-fortified are also advisable such as cereals, bread and orange juice.
Vitamin D Sources: Vitamin D and calcium always go together because in order to absorb calcium, vitamin D is needed. You may find foods that are fortified with vitamin D in cereals, eggs, fishes such as salmon and mackerel and milk.
- Herbs and Supplements
Health experts say that there are herbs and supplements that may help in relieving symptoms of menopause such as insomnia, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, weight gain, night sweats and mood changes. If you are interested in using herbs and supplements, be sure that you only choose those that are proven to be safe and effective and most importantly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Before taking in herbs and supplements, make sure to consult your doctor about it to check if it is safe to use and if you are allowed to use it along with your prescribed medications.
Herb and Supplement Sources: Foods such as vitamin D, calcium, soy, omega-3 fatty acids and soy are beneficial to a woman who is on menopause. There are also selected herbs that are helpful in managing symptoms of menopause and these herbs are red clover, Asian ginseng, sage and black cohosh to name a few.
Best Diet for Menopause Related Resources
Common Problems during Menopause
If menstruation is the mark of the beginning of the woman’s reproductive life, menopause on the other hand signifies the end of her ability to reproduce for she no longer ovulates thus the cessation of menstrual cycles. The transitional phase that a woman undergoes before menopause is called peri-menopause or pre-menopause that usually starts in the 40s. Because of the changes in hormonal levels, a woman will experience a number of changes that one of which are irregular menstruations and hot flashes. But there are also other common problems noted on women as she enters the actual phase of menopause.
Common Problems during Menopause
- Hot Flashes
Even during the pre-menopause phase, there are women who already experience hot flashes but for some, it occurs to them during menopause. Hot flashes are the feelings of intense warmth particularly around the face, arms and the trunk but some women feel it the intense warmth all over the body. It may last for as long as 10 minutes and is followed by a cold feeling. Some turn red during their hot flashes especially around the face and neck while some manifests red marks on the upper body.
- Mood Swings
Most women who undergo menopause are noted to be irritable, feel depressed or moody. This could be attributed by the fluctuating hormonal changes occurring which will eventually improve after menopause.
- Vaginal Dryness and Itching
A common problem that most women experience during menopause is vaginal dryness and itching. Vaginal dryness causes pain during sexual intercourse due to the changes in hormonal levels which affects the natural lubrication of the vagina making its lining more thin and fragile.
More Common Problems during Menopause
- Insomnia
There are women who actually suffer from insomnia as they enter menopause. This could be aggravated by hot flashes or night sweats and urinary incontinence.
- Bone Problems
Women are largely affected by bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis and bone breakage because of the hormonal changes that occur to their bodies. This is the reason why women should take in enough calcium supplements as they age to avoid bone problems.
- Heart Problems
Hormonal changes happen during menopause and this does not only affect the reproductive system but even other organs of the body such as the heart. The hormone estrogen which is also needed to protect the heart may cause heart problems as the estrogen levels lower.
- Memory Problems
Memory problems do not just happen during menopause as there are women who experience it even during the pre-menopause phase. Although there is still no definite relation if hormonal changes are the cause, there are theories that say that it may be due to sleep disturbance due to hot flashes or night sweats.
- Other Physical Changes
Other physical changes that are noted in women during menopause are weight gain, particularly increased fat around the abdomens and decreased fat in the breasts. There are also women who notice the thinning of their hair while some notice that there skin becomes more sensitive.
Common Problems during Menopause Related Resources
Symptoms of Pre-Menopause
Before menopause even starts, a transitional phase is what a woman undergoes first which is called pre-menopause. This is the time where a woman is about to enter the menopausal stage which signifies the end of menstrual cycles. It is on menopause where a woman is no longer reproductive thus the cessation of menstrual periods. In order for a woman’s body to prepare for her menopausal stage, it first prepares itself which is manifested in many physical and mental changes in the body thus the occurrence of pre-menopause symptoms.
What is Pre-Menopause?
Pre-menopause is the transitional phase that a woman undergoes before she finally enters menopause. Pre-menopause is also known as peri-menopause where “peri” means “around”. This phase does not just occur in a few months in fact as early as 10 to 15 years old, a female will already show signs of pre-menopause symptoms but they are not felt as much compared to women in their 40s to 50s. Although the average age of menopause is around the 50s there are women who already had their last menstrual cycle by the age of 40.
Symptoms of Pre-Menopause
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles
A significant sign that a woman is about to enter menopause are the occurrence of irregular periods. A menstrual cycle may be considered irregular when it is more or less frequent than what a woman normally experiences each month. When a woman undergoes peri-menopause, during her menstrual cycle, she may not ovulate thus decreasing fertility. Nonetheless, there are still women who get pregnant during this time which is why the term “menopausal baby” exists. Health experts recommend women to take use birth control even 12 months after the last menstrual cycle.
- Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes are perhaps the most common symptom of pre-menopause. Hot flashes vary according to intensity as women undergo drastic hot flashes that they even experience night sweats that deprive them of enough rest and sleep while some women experience otherwise.
- Vagina and Bladder Changes
During pre-menopause, estrogen levels either shoot up or are down low causing changes in the tissues of the bladder and vagina. One of the things right away notice is the decrease of lubrication which can cause discomfort during intercourse. Another manifestation of the fluctuation of estrogen levels is urinary incontinence. Women should be hygienic at all times most especially during this time as they are very much prone to vaginal and urinary tract infections.
- Memory Problems
Memory problems are a common problem among women during pre-menopause. It is not necessarily something to worry about as it is a classic symptom of pre-menopause. Reasons for this are hormonal level changes and sleep disruptions which may be brought about by night sweats and hot flashes.
- Mood Changes
Mood changes during pre-menopause is another classic symptom although not all women experience this. Possible reasons as to why women experience mood changes could be because of the changes in hormone levels along with the worries as she approaches aging.
Symptoms of Pre-Menopause Related Resources
Understanding Menopause
Menopause is something every woman will undergo. There are those who experience menopause early while some at a later age. Menopause is something that needs understanding because it is a time in a woman’s life where many changes will be happening to the body thus right knowledge and preparation are needed.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the end of the menstrual cycle and signifies the end of the fertile period in a woman’s life. It causes changes in the body which is manifested in physical and mental symptoms. Just like menstruation, menopause is also brought about by changes in the hormonal levels. In most cases, menopause causes hot flashes, dizziness, weight change and at times joint pain. Before the onset of menopause, a woman will experience irregular menstrual cycles in a span of a few years.
Average Age of Menopause
On average, a woman experiences menopause at the age of 45. But the start of menopause may vary from one woman to another. Some women experience menopause early some at a quite later age. If a woman started her menstruation early then her menopause start early but if a woman started her menstruation late, then her menopause ends at a later age in her life.
Symptoms of Menopause
Although menopause does not start right away, it symptoms may show a few years ahead. The symptoms are called premenopausal symptoms. It is with these symptoms where a woman will be able to tell if she is already about to start menopause. Hormonal imbalance is one of the contributing factors as to why these symptoms show and they are as follows:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Increased irritability
- Depression
- Loss of hair
- Growth of fibroids
- Headaches
- Decreased sex drive
- Weight gain
Other symptoms of Menopause
Due to hormonal imbalance, other symptoms of menopause may occur such as:
- Heavy bleeding during menstruation
- Vaginal dryness
- Breast tenderness
- Endometriosis
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
There are cases when after a year, post menopause symptoms are observed and these symptoms include fatigue, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and itching. One year after a woman’s last menstrual cycle is termed as the perimenopausal stage. It is important that when a woman enters her near 40’s to take in calcium supplements and stay healthy in order to avoid possible problems that she may encounter during this time such as loss of bone density, stress incontinence and bladder infection.
The transition of a woman as she enters the menopausal stage may vary for every individual. The symptoms listed above does not necessarily have to be experienced by every woman—some may do while other may not. It would be best to prepare as menopause happens in order to stay healthy both physically, mentally and emotionally. If you notice that the symptoms are hard to manage, you may consult your doctor for remedies that you may make use of.