Today, there are almost 3.93 billion women in the world, which accounts for 49.5% of the world’s population. While there are so many of us, how our bodies work can be somewhat of a mystery at times.
For example, every woman will go through menopause, but you might not know much about it. When will it happen and how long does it last for?
Read on to find out!
What Is Menopause?
You might already know that menopause is when you stop having periods. But the details are hazy for you.
Menopause is classified as when you stop having periods for a year straight. This is excluding any outside factors that might stop your period, such as hormonal birth control or a medical condition that affects your period (such as an overactive thyroid).
When Does Menopause Start?
Typically, women go through menopause in their late 40s to their early 50s. However, if you’ve had some surgical intervention (such as a hysterectomy), then it’s possible to go through menopause at an earlier age.
It’s also possible to go through premature menopause. This is where you experience it before you’re 40 (it’s called “early menopause” if you experience it before you’re 45).
Some menopause symptoms include:
- Irritability and mood swings
- Dry skin
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Vaginal dryness
- A need to urinate more frequently
How Long Does Menopause Last For?
Contrary to popular belief, menopause doesn’t just happen and last for the rest of your life.
As we’ve said, menopause is when you haven’t had a natural period in a year. So this is actually the 2nd stage in a total of 3 stages! There’s perimenopause (before) and postmenopause (after) as well.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause can actually start up to 10 years before you go through menopause! This means it’s possible for perimenopause to start in your 30s.
Here, your ovaries start releasing less and less estrogen. A year or two before menopause, the drop in estrogen sharply decreases. As a result, you might start experiencing menopause symptoms.
Do note that you’re still menstruating here, which means you can still get pregnant!
Postmenopause
After you haven’t had your period for 12 months, you’re considered postmenopausal. Many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause might disappear here, such as hot flashes. But for many women, these symptoms can last for a decade or longer.
Because your estrogen levels are so low, this increases your chances of several health conditions. So make sure you talk to your doctor and get on the right medications to ensure you stay healthy.
If you’d like to know more about menopause, then check out letstalkmenopause.org.
Know What to Expect From Menopause
By knowing more about menopause, you’ll feel more in control when it comes to your body. Remember that this is a natural process of aging, so when you notice menopause symptoms, don’t be afraid of what’s to come. Instead, embrace this new chapter of your life!
For more health and wellness articles, make sure you read our other blog articles too!
