The Signs Of Menopause
It has been estimated that the average menopause age in the Western world is 51 years. The typical age range for the first signs of menopause is between the ages of 45 and 55. If the last period occurs between the ages of 55 to 60 this is known as a “late menopause”. When a woman experiences “Early menopause” this is when the final period occurs between the ages of 45 to 50. The word menopause literally means the cessation of monthly cycles or
menstrual cycles, from the Greek roots meno (month) and pausis (a halt).
As women are well into there menopause age it is very normal to experience such signs of menopause as dry skin, hot flashes and mood swings. It is also common to be tired which is a symptom described by women who use hormone replacement therapy and those who don’t. Some women have reported such psychological effects as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, memory problems and lack of concentration. Several of these signs of menopause have been reported to decrease significantly or stop altogether once the menopause age has been transitioned.
The years leading up to the last period ever is referred to as premenopause. This describes the menopause age when the levels of reproductive hormones are already becoming lower and more erratic, and the signs of menopause and hormone withdrawal may be present.
Once signs of menopause begin the monthly cycles are usually very random and irregular, it can take several months or even up to a couple of years for this type of cycling to subside. We can only estimate but not give someone an exact menopause age.
Once a woman has gone one full year with no flow at all, not even any spotting, and she still has her uterus, she can be said to be postmenopausal. When a woman reaches that point, she is one year into postmenopause. This is the menopause age most women look forward to. A woman who has her ovaries removed she will immediately be in “surgical menopause”.
All women will experience the signs of menopause or effects of perimenopause. However, not every woman will realize these signs at the same levels. As the body senses the rapidly changing levels of natural hormones one or more of these signs will become apparent and will vary from person to person.
Once a woman has gone one full year with no flow at all, not even any spotting, and she still has her uterus, she can be said to be postmenopausal. When a woman reaches that point, she is one year into postmenopause. This is the Menopause Age most women look forward to. A woman who has her ovaries removed will immediately be in “surgical menopause”.
Experiencing these signs of menopause are a common transition in the life of a female that is very natural, it is not an illness, disease or mental disorder. This can be a challenge for some women, but for
others it may not be as difficult, but all will experience some signs of menopause.
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