What Are the Signs of Menopause?

menopauseMenopause is a pivotal point in a woman’s life and can take a significant toll on general health, mood, and lifestyle. Normally, your menstrual cycle is governed and regulated by your sex hormone cycle, or the regularly occurring estrogen and progesterone patterns. Perimenopause, the time in which your body begins to transition into menopause, begins when your normal, monthly estrogen and progesterone cycles begin to follow irregular patterns.

If you are around age 45, you may have already experienced some of the symptoms of perimenopause. Many of them overlap with menopause, but there are distinctions between the two, and some are more obvious than others. Signs of perimenopause may include one or a combination of the following symptoms:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Bleeding that lasts longer than usual
  • Bleeding that occurs more frequently (more than once within a 3-week span)
  • Bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Hot flashes or unstable body temperature
  • Sudden mood swings or emotional changes (depression, irritability, etc.)
  • Incontinence or bladder/urinary issues
  • Changes in fertility
  • Insomnia or restless sleeping
  • Vaginal or skin dryness
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Worsened PMS symptoms
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Hair loss or thinning
  • Weight changes
  • Night sweats or cold flashes

The more ambiguous signs of perimenopause can be physically observed and identified by your obstetrician or gynecologist. Your doctor will examine the anatomy of your uterus and endometrium to diagnose your current symptoms. The less obvious signs of perimenopause may include:

  • The presence of polyps and or other benign growths within the uterus or on the cervix
  • A much thinner endometrium (endometrial atrophy), which is caused by low estrogen levels
  • A much thicker endometrium (endometrial hyperplasia), which is caused by excess estrogen and very low progesterone levels
  • Decreased bone density (osteopenia), or severe bone loss (osteoporosis)
  • Fluctuating blood cholesterol levels
  • It is best to consult with your obstetrician or gynecologist for screenings and exams. Screenings are critical toward identifying and managing potentially serious issues such as endometrial cancer or other gynecological illnesses.

When you’ve reached menopausal status, you may continue to experience symptoms that are similar to perimenopause. Shared symptoms between perimenopause and menopause may include:

  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
  • Vaginal or skin dryness
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Osteopenia or osteoporosis
  • Hot flashes or unstable body temperature
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Hair loss or thinning
  • Weight changes
  • Night sweats or cold flashes

The main symptom that differentiates perimenopause from menopause is the absence of your period for one year or longer.

It is important to know that the symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause may differ among women depending on their diet, lifestyle, personal habits, medical history, genetics, family history, and environment. It is best to consult with your obstetrician or gynecologist either during or between your annual exams to learn more about how you can safely treat and manage your menopausal symptoms.

At Women’s Care, we believe it is essential to prepare you for the changes that accompany perimenopause and menopause. Explore our website, give us a call or visit one of our Eugene/Springfield offices to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians. Our team is here to help through all phases of women’s lives.