You just may be approaching “the change.” Menopause is a natural thing that all women go through. Unfortunately, many of us feel uneducated when it comes to just what to expect. We learn about puberty in grade school, but menopause is a whole different story with no teacher to instruct.
We’re about to change that.
Here are ten quick facts you need to know if you’re approaching menopause.
1. The average age of menopause is 51.
Ask younger women when menopause rears its head, and most will say “beats me.”
Here’s the dish: menopause can take place at many ages. Experts say that most females experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. And the average age is about 51.
That said, some women can go through menopause in their thirties and others may not experience menopause until their sixties.
There is one pretty cool way to tell when you’ll cross over. Generally, it is said that you will probably go through menopause around the same age that your mother did.
2. You’re not officially menopausal until it’s been a year since your last period.
Menopause can be a tricky thing. You’ll think you’re done with periods, and then they’ll reappear. That’s why menopause is not considered to be an official thing until it’s been one year since your last period.
3. You’ll go through perimenopause first.
Menopause doesn’t just happen overnight. The body first goes through a transitional time called perimenopause.
During this time frame, estrogen and progesterone levels change. That’s why it kind of feels like you are going through puberty backwards. One day you may feel awesome, but the next you have symptoms-like hot flashes. And your periods may become irregular, either coming more or less frequently.
There’s no exact science as to how long perimenopause will last before a woman’s final period. However, experts say that it usually lasts for about two to eight years.
This is where symptom tracking comes in handy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a helpful menopause tracker that you can use.
4. Hot flashes aren’t just a myth.
Many women facing menopause will tell you one thing: the hot flashes are awful. They find themselves blasting the air conditioning in the middle of winter in a desperate attempt to escape the reality of the moment. And the next minute, they’re cold again.
The National Institute on Aging says there are a few things you can do to make hot flashes more tolerable. First, sleep in a room that is naturally cool. And dress for bed with hot flashes in mind. Layers of clothing are helpful when it comes to planning for this inconvenience. In addition, sleep on sheets that are conducive to sweating. And hydrate with water (or even juice) if you feel that you’re experiencing a hot flash.
5. The symptoms of menopause can be improved with treatment.
Doctors can put you on menopause hormone therapy to improve symptoms associated with menopause. This helps to add hormones that, when lacking, cause symptoms (like hot flashes and vaginal dryness). However, hormone therapy can come with risks. These can include: an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, blood clots, cancer, and gall bladder disease.
To decrease this risk, stick to the lowest possible dose and shortest time frame possible when it comes to therapy. And note that you shouldn’t opt for hormone therapy if you have other issues involving the heart, cancer, vaginal bleeding, or the liver.
6. There are natural options that may help with symptoms of menopause.
If you aren’t a candidate for hormone therapy, there are other options that you can try. One is soy. Experts say that the phytoestrogens found in soy could mimic estrogen.
That said, there’s no concrete proof to back this up. As a result, professionals say that to take heed when trying this option. Rather than relying on soy pills or powders, stick to natural sources. Examples of this include: tofu, tempeh, soy nuts, and soymilk.
In addition, certain herbs contain phytoestrogens. These include: wild yam, dong quai, black cohosh, and valerian root. Just make sure to consult with a healthcare professional before trying this method. Those in the know say that research on the effectiveness and risks of these products is lacking.
7. Your risk of osteoporosis elevates after menopause.
Because estrogen is an important part of building healthy bones, menopause and increased risk of osteoporosis go hand in hand. That’s because when estrogen decreases, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases.
To combat this, it’s essential to get enough calcium and vitamin D daily. Ideally, you want to shoot for 1200 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D. In addition, regular exercise (including strength training) and healthy eating are important. And quit smoking-cigarettes can make menopause occur faster.
8. You can still get pregnant if you’re not “officially” menopausal.
Think you can’t get pregnant if it’s been a few months since your last period? Think again.
You can still get pregnant during perimenopause. However, the chances decrease greatly after the age of 45. That said, even with a lower chance of conceiving, it is still possible. In other words, use birth control anyway.
9. You can still have a healthy sex life after menopause.
Sure, sex drive can decrease after menopause. But that’s no reason not to do the deed. Many women swear that sex is even better after menopause. Not only do you not have to worry about birth control, you know what you like (and don’t like). If vaginal dryness is an issue, get a water based lubricant and enjoy the ride. Your body still works, so don’t sell yourself short.
10. Menopause doesn’t mean “you’re old.”
The day and age of “old maid syndrome” associated with menopause has passed. Really, it’s all a matter of attitude. You’re not 20, but you’re not elderly either. Enjoy your life experience and everything that you’ve learned. And keep on learning. You’ve got this, girl.