Did you know that there are 3 stages of menopause?
Understanding the 3 stages of menopause will help you get a sense of what to expect. These are the stages every woman will go through at some point.
In the UK, the average age for menopause is 51 years. But, around 1 in 100 people usually experience the menopause before the age of 40 years. So it’s important to understand the symptoms and know when to seek help if these are affecting your life.
First things first, what is menopause?
The term ‘menopause’ refers to a date that marks 23 months to the day since your last period. Many people use the term to refer to all stages of this life event. But this is the medical definition that doctors use to explain what menopause is.
In the run up to this phase your hormones will begin to change as your body enters the first phase. There are a number of symptoms associated with the first phase, known as ‘peri-menopause’. We’ll talk a bit more about these later on…
“In May 2016, a survey conducted by Ipsos MORI, on behalf of the British Menopause Society (BMS), revealed that one in two women aged 45-65 had gone through the menopause within the past ten years without consulting a healthcare professional. This is despite women surveyed reporting on average seven different symptoms and 42% saying their symptoms were worse or much worse than expected.” (Source: British Menopause Society)
So let’s explore the 3 stages of menopause in more detail…
3 stages of menopause
Stage 1 – Perimenopause
This is the stage before the menopause and is when symptoms begin to appear.
It can start a few months to years before your periods stop and can persist for quite some time. Women, on average, experience perimenopausal symptoms from 45 years old. However, symptoms can start as early as your 20s or be as late as your 60s. This can happen naturally or be quite sudden due to surgery and/or illness.
2. Menopause
The menopause is the actual day that marks 12 consecutive months (to the day) you have not had your period. Mark it in the diary, celebrate! Have a menopause party! You’ve arrived!
3. Post menopausal
The post-menopause is the final of the 3 stages of menopause. And a new chapter in your life.
It starts the very next day after the menopause and lasts for the rest of your life! During this time, many of the bothersome perimenopausal symptoms you may have experienced gradually decrease over the following years.
Along with the physical changes that occur after the menopause, post-menopausal women are at increased risk of a number of health conditions. For example; osteoporosis, joint and breast pain and heart disease. It’s very important to eat right and exercise throughout the menopause to keep strong and healthy.
Understanding menopause symptoms
Did you know that there are over thirty recognised symptoms of menopause? Most of these symptoms will appear during the first of the 3 stages of menopause.
During perimenopause you may experience one or many of the following symptoms;
- – Period changes – e.g. shorter or longer cycles and heavier or lighter periods
- – Hot flushes
- – Night sweats
- – Sleep disturbances
- – Headaches
- – Dizziness and vertigo
- – Anxiety and feelings of dread
- – Joint and muscle pain
- – Mood swings
Many women say they can’t articulate their symptoms in a list but simply ‘don’t feel like themselves’. So it can be difficult for doctors to diagnosed whether you are indeed in perimenopause. This is why it’s vital that you work closely with a women’s health specialist. They will get to know more about your symptoms, lifestyle and any other contributing factors.
Then, they will offer advice, support and treatment to help you overcome symptoms and navigate this phase with confidence.
How to find a women’s health specialist
Gynaecologists, Physiotherapists and Doctors can all support you through the 3 stages of menopause. But it’s important that you choose someone who specialises in women’s health specifically.
Unfortunately many medical professionals receive minimal training on menopause during their studies. So it’s down to each professional to invest in extra research and gain experience in menopause so they have a better understanding of this life phase.
At Thrive Physiotherapy for women in Sheffield, we offer a Menopause MOT to support you through the 3 stages of menopause.
What’s a Menopause MOT?
A Menopause MOT can help you identify and understand symptoms, and find out what to expect as your hormones change. Physiotherapy for Menopause can change your life and alleviate your symptoms. The menopause starts when the levels of oestrogen in your body start to fluctuate and drop. These changes can impact both your body AND your brain. They affect each person differently, meaning your Menopause journey is as unique as you are.
The menopause is a journey NOT an illness! It will impact each woman differently, some may sail through it, whilst others may have life altering symptoms. That’s why we believe a Menopause MOT is a positive and uplifting service – it’s all about empowering you to live your best life, with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate this life change.
Contact us to find out more and book your Menopause MOT!
You can email us at hello@thrive-physiotherapy.co.uk or call 0114 405 5075 if you’d like to chat through anything or ask any questions.