Germie.com
- Dec 1, 2023
- 5 min read

Menopause Explained: What Every Woman Should Know

Menopause. It's a word all women hear, but not everyone truly understands. Even though many women go through it, there are still lots of myths and worries about it. Not knowing the truth can make some women feel scared or alone during this time. So, let's clear things up.

Menopause is simply a part of growing older for women. It's when a woman stops having her period and can no longer have children. Usually, this happens between ages 45 to 55. But it's different for everyone. Some might see changes earlier or even later.

In this article, we will share clear, simple facts about menopause. We'll talk about what causes it and what to expect. We'll also give you tips to help make this time easier. Remember, menopause is a natural part of life. We can help each other feel more confident and less worried by talking about it.

Understanding the Menopause Journey

Menopause is a natural part of being a woman. Think of it as a new chapter in your life. Let's break it down into three parts:

Perimenopause: This is the beginning. It might start when you're in your 40s, or even earlier for some women. Here, your body makes less of a hormone called estrogen. Because of this, you might notice your periods are not as regular as they used to be.
Menopause: This is the middle part. It's when you haven't had a period for a whole year. Most women reach this around age 51, but everyone is different. Some might see this change sooner or later, and that's okay.
Post-menopause: This is the time after menopause. Now, your body has less estrogen. This can mean you might have a higher chance of getting certain health problems, like weak bones or heart issues, so it’s important for your physician to know when you have entered this stage.

Why does all this happen? It's mainly because of hormones. Our bodies slow down, making hormones like estrogen and progesterone. When you start menopause, it depends on many things. It can be in your genes, your lifestyle, or if you've had certain surgeries.

How Menopause Might Feel: Common Signs and Changes

When you start going through menopause, your body changes in many ways. Let's talk about how you might feel:

Hot Flashes: Imagine suddenly feeling super warm, even when it's cold around you. This is called a hot flash. You might sweat a lot when this happens. Sometimes, this can happen at night when you're sleeping. If so, it's called night sweats and can make sleep hard.
Changes in Periods: You might see your period come and go without any pattern. Over time, it will stop completely.
Feeling Dry Down There: You might notice dryness in your private area. This can make you feel itchy or uncomfortable. It happens because your body makes less estrogen.
Mood Changes: Some days, you might feel happy, and other days, sad or moody. It's normal to have ups and downs. But if you feel very sad or worried for a long time, it's good to talk to someone about it.
Brain Changes: You might forget things or find it hard to concentrate. Some women call this "brain fog."

Remember, every woman is different. Some might have many of these feelings, and some might have only a few. If any of these changes bother you or make daily life hard, talk to a doctor. They can help you find ways to feel better.

Why Does Menopause Happen?

Menopause is a normal part of growing older for women. Here's why it happens:

Getting Older: Usually, between ages 45 and 55, women's bodies slowly make fewer hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help manage periods and make babies. When they decrease, your periods stop, and that's menopause.
Surgery: If you have an operation where your ovaries are taken out (called a hysterectomy), menopause can start right away. This is because your ovaries make those important hormones.
Cancer Treatments: Some treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can make menopause start. This is because these treatments can stop your ovaries from working.
Ovary Problems: Sometimes, women's ovaries don't make enough hormones even when they're young. This is called primary ovarian insufficiency. If it happens before age 40, it's like having early menopause.

No matter the reason, menopause is a big change. But knowing what causes it can help you understand what's happening and how to handle it. If you have questions or concerns, talking to a doctor can help.

How Do We Know It's Menopause?

Wondering if you're going through menopause? Here's how doctors can tell:

Talk About How Your Body Feels: One of the first things is to chat about how you feel. Are you having hot flashes? Feeling moodier? Having trouble sleeping? Each woman's experience can be a bit different.
Blood Tests: Doctors can take a small blood sample to check hormone levels. When hormones like FSH (follicular stimulating hormone) go up and estrogen goes down, it can be a sign of menopause.
Keep Track of Periods: This is super important. Periods can become less regular when menopause is near. If you don’t have a period for 12 months in a row, it's likely you're in menopause.

By looking at all these clues – your feelings, blood tests, and period patterns – doctors can usually tell if it's menopause. If you think you might be going through it, talking to a doctor can help you understand and manage your side effects.

How Menopause Can Change Your Body?

Menopause is a big shift in a woman's life, and it can bring different changes to the body. Here's a simple breakdown:

Bones: Your bones can get weaker during menopause. This is because of the drop in estrogen. When bones get weak, it's easier for them to break. This condition is called osteoporosis.
Heart: Estrogen is good for the heart. So, when its levels drop, there's a higher chance of heart problems, like heart disease or stroke.
Feeling Down There: You might feel dry or uncomfortable in your private area. This can make being close to a partner feel different or even painful. This change can also make you feel less interested in being intimate.
Skin and Hair: You might notice your skin feels drier and isn't as stretchy. Your hair might feel thinner and break more easily.

Even though these changes can sound tough, there are ways to handle them. Keeping an eye on your health, living a healthy life, and talking to a doctor when needed can make this journey smoother.

Ways to Feel Better During Menopause

Experiencing menopause? There are treatments and ways to help you feel better. Let's explore them:

Hormone Help (HRT): Some women use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to balance their hormone levels. This can help with feelings like hot flashes, moodiness, or dryness down there.
Healthy Habits: Simple changes can make a big difference. Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, not smoking, and cutting down on alcohol can help manage symptoms.
Natural Therapies: Some women find relief with treatments like acupuncture or herbal medicine, but always talk to a doctor before trying something new.
Talking It Out: Sometimes, just sharing how you feel helps. Therapy or support groups can be places to talk and learn from others going through the same thing.

Everyone is different. What works for one might not work for another. Talk to a doctor about the best options for you. They can help you choose what's right and safe.

While menopause might bring challenges, it's easier to manage when you know the facts. Treatment to manage menopause side effects is continually evolving, so speak to your doctor and your community to see what might be a great option for you.

About Germie

Germie's mission is to create a female health network that operates as an end-to-end solution to bridge the divide between patient and professional, brought to you in an easy, digestible way.