Menopause: Age, Stages, Causes, Symptoms, and Complications

What is Menopause (Climacteric)?

Menopause, otherwise referred to as female menopause, is a condition in which progressively ageing females don’t experience menstruation for 12 consecutive months. The signs and symptoms of menopause may vary from female to female and so does the menopause age. While some females may experience menopause in their mid 40s, some do in their mid 50s. 

Why Does Menopause Happen?

Menopause is an inevitable phase of a female’s lifecycle as it is a natural occurrence. As women age, ovaries tend to lose their follicular function and the oestrogen levels in the bloodstream decline. As a result, women will experience fluctuations in their periods in terms of timing, duration, volume of blood flow, etc. 

When Does Menopause Starts?

If you are wondering when does menopause start, the response is - it is variable. While most women tend to experience menopause in their mid 40s and 50s, some may experience it before they turn 40 too. In certain instances, women tend to experience menopause in their early 60s too. Despite the varying women menopause age, most women start experiencing menopause symptoms approximately 4 years before their final period. 

If you are wondering how long does menopause last, it can last for a minimum of 7 years and maximum of 14 years. The menopause duration depends on the lifestyle factors, the age at which it begins as well as race and ethnicity. 

What Happens During Menopause?

Some of the notable effects of menopause on the body include night sweats, hot flashes and weight fluctuations. That said, these effects and side effects of menopause may vary on a case to case basis too. 

Stages Of Menopause

While there are no definitive types of menopause, it can be categorised into stages or phases. 

The stages of menopause include:

• Premature menopause - Menopause occurs before the age of 40 years in females. 
• Perimenopause - It usually begins in mid 40s in women as a response to hormonal imbalance in menopause and may last between a few months to a few years. 
• Early menopause - About 5% of women experience this phase of menopause with symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulties in sleep, memory and concentration and other challenges. 
• Postmenopause - Signs of menopause tend to last even after the menopause duration. 

Symptoms Of Menopause

If you are thinking how do you know when menopause starts, the evident symptoms can clue you in. Some of the common and widely observed menopause symptoms are:

• Less frequent menstruation 
• Unusually heavier or lighter blood flows 
• Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, facial flushing, night sweats, etc. Hot flashes affect approximately 70 to 80% menopausal women. 
• Insomnia 
• Vaginal dryness 
• Weight gain or extreme loss of weight 
• Psychological symptoms, such as depression, and anxiety
• Difficulty with concentration, and memory
• Reduced libido 
• Dry skin, mouth and eyes 
• Frequent urination 
• Sore breasts 
• Racing heart 
• Headaches 
• Urinary tract infections 
• Reduced bone and muscle mass 
• Stiff joints 
• Thinning hair 
• Abnormal hair growth on the face and across the body 

While some of the signs of menopause might be confused with other health conditions, staying vigilant helps you to seek on-time diagnosis and interventions.