What Should Women Know About Menopause and Its Stages?

Menopause is known as the end of the female menstrual cycle. The term is normally described by the changes females endure just before or after they stop having their periods, marking the end of their reproductive years.

There are three stages to menopause which progress slowly, they are:

– Perimenopause
This phase is the start, it officially kicks off the years prior to menopause completely taking effect. This is when your ovaries begin to slowly make less estrogen. Perimenopause can last several years and ends once menopause finally hits, this is when the ovaries stop releasing eggs completely. In the final 1 to 2 years of perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to fall faster.

– Menopause
The main event which perimenopause was leading up to. This is when is it has been at least 1 year since you have had your last period. This means your ovaries have completely stopped releasing eggs and making most of the estrogen.

– Post Menopause
This is the years after menopause has finished. The common menopausal symptoms have eased up, like hot flashes. However, health risks related to the loss of estrogen are increasing as you get older.

The symptoms of menopause can be different in each female that goes through it. Normally, menopause symptoms can last anywhere around 4 years.

The first few signs of menopause that most women commonly notice include hot flashes, a sudden feeling of being overly warm as it spreads over the upper body, and showcases a blushing effect with sweating. Hot flashes can range anywhere from mild to severe, and women do not know how severe the hot flashes will be until they experience them.

Other common signs of menopause that women often notice include:

– Uneven or missed periods
– Vaginal dryness
– Sore or tender breasts
– Frequent urination
– Issues sleeping
– Emotional changes
– Dry eyes, mouth, or skin

As women progress through menopause, later symptoms often include:

– Extreme fatigue
– Depression
– Moody
– Racing heart
– Headaches
– Joint and muscle pains or aches
– Unexplained weight gain
– Hair loss
– Changes in their sex drive (libido)

There are three stages when it comes to menopause, they are known as:

– Perimenopause
– Menopause
– Postmenopause

Symptoms of Perimenopause:

– Irregular periods
– Migraines
– Hot flashes
– Night sweats
– Low libido
– Mood swings
– Weight gain
– Cognitive issues
– Vaginal dryness
– Sore breasts
– Urinary incontinence
– Sleeping issues

Symptoms of Menopause:

– Irregular periods
– Vaginal dryness
– Hot flashes
– Chills
– Night sweats
– Sleep issues
– Mood swing
– Weight gain
– Slower metabolism

Symptoms of postmenopause:

– Hot flashes
– Night sweats
– Vaginal dryness
– Sexual discomfort
– Depression
– Changes in their sex drive
– Insomnia
– Dry skin
– Weight changes
– Hair loss
– Urinary incontinence

Perimenopause is known to last on average around 4 years. The symptoms that come with perimenopause will ease gradually once you enter menopause and postmenopause. As we age, we start to experience more and more things happening to our bodies, menopause is one of those things and is a natural part of aging. As we age, we begin to produce less estrogen until we no longer menstruate. Once you stop having your periods, and you have noticed none within 12 months, you have finally reached menopause.

Navigating the distinct stages of menopause—from early perimenopause to postmenopause—requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach to your changing body and well-being. When you partner with Dr. Michelle Trandai, MD, you receive deeply personalized care designed to address your specific symptoms, whether you are experiencing severe hot flashes, sleep disruptions, or hormonal shifts. By combining expert medical guidance with compassionate support, Dr. Trandai ensures you have the customized treatments necessary to comfortably and confidently transition through this natural phase of life. Contact us for more information or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 5449 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Edgewater IL, Evanston IL, Ravenswood IL, Uptown IL, Lake View IL, Lincoln Park IL, Buena Park IL, Bowmanville IL, Boystown IL and Roscoe Village, IL.