Menopause 101: What’s it About & Tips to Face it Head On

Your body is a temple – a vehicle that’s carried you through countless beautiful moments in life. She took you across the finish line of a half-marathon, an accomplishment you’re still breathless thinking about years later. Those same legs got you onstage before a crowd of thousands… without locking knees or running away from your fear of public speaking. She birthed babies, nurtured them, fed them, and helped you get a wink of sleep when they did. So how can it be that after all these wonderful moments, your body seems to be turning her back on you? 

When you look in the mirror, the hair, skin, and face you see today aren’t what they used to be. Sex definitely isn’t what it used to be. Sometimes it feels like your body isn’t you anymore.  If this sounds familiar, you could be experiencing perimenopause or menopause – but don’t run the other way just yet. While menopause is unavoidable, the more you know about it, the easier it is to face. 

Here at Foreverbetty, we  are building a community of women from all walks of life to face this stage with grace and confidence. It’s our goal to provide valuable information to help navigate the changes you may experience in this natural phase. For some women symptoms can be minimal, for others more severe, but with education and support we will all get through it, and be stronger on the other side.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is the point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period, marking the end of her reproductive years. The average age women go through menopause is 52. [2] 

After menopause, your ovaries stop releasing eggs and cease making the hormones that prepare you for a baby.  [1]  For some women, menopause is a welcome transition to a new chapter in life. You’re free to have all the sex, love, and rock and roll you want – without the threat of getting pregnant. Groovy.

For others, the transition may come as a shock. How can it be that you’re the only one at girl’s night profusely sweating over frozen daiquiris? Maybe you’re ashamed to talk about it with your girlfriends who seem to be living out their 40s without a hot flash, or any of the other myriad symptoms discussed here. 

Symptoms of the Change

Menopause is not a preventable illness you can wish away.

Think of it as a transitional time in life you just gotta face. Knowing what’s going on in your body – and what to do with the symptoms – helps make the change smoother. In the menopausal transition, your body goes from ovulating (and having a period) regularly to not at all. (You can finally toss those tampons!) Your ovaries begin to make fewer reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone, and these hormonal changes can cause symptoms such as: [2]

• Irregular periods. Your periods will begin to spread out before stopping altogether. You may notice  heavier or lighter bleeding or longer or shorter periods.
• Hot flashes. Ever notice a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body? Yep, that’s a hot flash. Night sweats are just hot flashes that happen in your sleep. 
• Sleeping problems. Insomnia is common in menopause and is a result of changing hormones. You may wake up from night sweats caused by low estrogen. You may also have difficulty falling or staying asleep, thanks to low progesterone.
• Weight gain. The fat cells change in your body, making it easier to gain weight – particularly in the belly, hips, and thighs.
• Vaginal dryness. This is caused by low estrogen and can be a real pain. Your vaginal tissue becomes thinner in menopause, making the area more prone to dryness, itching, and general discomfort.
• Changes in sex life. Your desire to have sex can change in menopause. Some women have decreased sexual desire due to vaginal dryness or pain. Others feel free as a bird. Keep in mind thin vaginal tissue is more prone to tears, which increases your risk for an infection. So if you’re exploring your sexual freedom, remember to use protection!
• Mental changes. You’ve probably heard that it’s common to feel irritable or depressed during menopause. But many women don’t realize menopause can wreak havoc on their minds – to the point where some people feel like they have cognitive decline. A study found that hormone changes in menopause are linked to “structural reorganization” of the brain. Changes in the brain can affect memory performance, emotion control, and even the way you perceive pain. [4] 
• Skin changes. Drops in estrogen are to blame for your suddenly sagging skin. That’s because estrogen helps boost collagen production, which makes your skin firm and elastic. You may also notice your skin is thin or dry. Low estrogen is the culprit again!
• Bladder problems. Bladder leak, also known as stress incontinence, can happen after you’ve had babies or as you age. And you guessed it, menopause can cause bladder leakage too. Your vagina and urinary tract muscles get weaker in menopause, making it easier for urine to leak when you sneeze or cough. 

It’s important to remember that menopause correlates with chronological aging. While some symptoms you experience may be related to menopause, they could also be a part of normal female aging. Getting older is fun, right, ladies? (See how to combat symptoms further down.)

How Long Does Menopause Last?

Menopausal symptoms can start anywhere from 2-8 years before your final menstrual period.

The average woman spends four years in transition before getting her final menstrual period. Knowing you reached menopause is retrospective. In other words, you know you’ve reached menopause when you can look back and say you haven’t had a period in a year. 2]

If possible, try to make note of when your symptoms start so you can piece the clues together over time. First hot flash? Save the confirmation email from the handheld fan you bought online. Forget to complete a report at work? Don’t beat yourself up. Instead, make a note of when you started having memory lapses.

What Are the Different Stages of Menopause?

If you’re wondering if you might be going through the change, it helps to know how old your mom was when she reached menopause. Many women go through menopause around the same time as their mothers, but it can vary. 

To find out where you are in the process, read about the different stages of menopause.

Perimenopause

The years leading up to menopause are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause. At this time, you may start having menopausal symptoms. The average age for menopausal transition is in the late 40s. [2]

One of the primary signs you’re in perimenopause is a changing period. There may be months you don’t ovulate, causing you to miss a period. When you do get a menstrual period, it may be shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter than usual. Take note of these changing cycles. During perimenopause, there’s still a chance you can get pregnant. Continue using birth control if you’re trying to avoid getting pregnant.

Menopause

If you’ve officially gone 12 months without a period, congratulations! You’ve reached menopause.  At this time, your ovaries have stopped producing hormones that cause a menstrual period. Your ovaries stop releasing eggs, so it’s no longer possible to get pregnant.

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the time after you’ve reached menopause. It may feel like time for celebration – you’ve crossed the finish line of what feels like a hormonal marathon. But beware, you can still have menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness for years to come. [3]  Postmenopausal women are also  at risk for heart and bone problems, so focus on a lifestyle to meet your body’s needs. If you have any bleeding after menopause, tell your doctor. It could be a sign of something that needs attention. 

Help is on the Way: Combating the Symptoms 

You may be able to manage your symptoms with some life hacks from ladies who’ve been there. But some menopausal symptoms require help from a healthcare provider. See our article on 13 questions for that conversation with your doctor. 

Here are some tips for managing common menopausal symptoms: [5]

• Hot flashes. They’re caused by drops in estrogen and can be a major disruption to your normal life. If you feel a hot flash coming on, try to have a cool beverage or handheld fan nearby. Some doctors prescribe medications like gabapentin or clonidine to alleviate hot flashes or night sweats. You may qualify for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), which treats the cause of hot flashes. Your doctor may prescribe MHT in creams, skin patches, or pills. MHT may not be recommended for women at risk for stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, or blood clots. Talk to your doctor to see if MHT is the best treatment for you.
• Irregular periods. If you’re experiencing heavy or painful periods, your provider may prescribe MHT or low-dose birth control pills. 
• Sleeping problems. To combat menopausal insomnia, try getting on a regular sleep schedule. Keep yourself active during the day and create a routine to wind down at night. It also helps to avoid drinking alcohol before bed, staying away from coffee late in the day and limiting screen time at night. 
• Vaginal dryness. Water-based lubricants will become your new best friend. Lube isn’t just for greasing the wheels before sex – you can use it to ease the discomfort of vaginal dryness in your daily life. MHT also helps with vaginal dryness.
• Dry skin. As your skin changes in menopause, stay hydrated from the inside out. Drink plenty of water and use moisturizers to combat dry skin. You can also protect your skin by using broad-spectrum sunscreen. Limit your sun exposure, especially during peak hours. As you age, your skin is more at risk for skin cancer. [6]
• Bone problems. As women age, the risk of osteoporosis increases. In this condition, bone density decreases, and women are more prone to broken bones. Try exercises to build resistance, like walking or weight lifting. Focus on diet and exercise that support a healthy heart and bones. Consider adding some foods and supplements to your diet to build strong bones, like Vitamin D. You can also protect your bones by avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.

If menopausal symptoms are holding you back from living your best life, talk to your doctor about ways to get relief.  If you’re still seeing an OBGYN, it might be time to switch to a gynecologist with a focus on menopause for this new stage in life.

Face the Change of Life Head-on 

While menopause may give you every reason to resent your body at this weird time – try to honor it. Join our community here at Foreverbetty to be  fully supported while you navigate the menopausal transition.

Our recently launched subscription boxes are packed with goodies that treat menopausal symptoms. From thinning hair to a dry vajayjay, we find all the best products to make you glow again. Join our mailing list today to get the first look at upcoming box launches.

Getting familiar with the changes in menopause is the first step to facing it head on. But don’t get too used to them because this too shall pass. Remember, you don’t have to go through it alone because the Foreverbetty community is with you every step of the way.

*Medical disclaimer:

The content in this article is provided for informational purposes only. This is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any health conditions. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or consultation. Talk to your doctor before making changes to your healthcare regimen. 

Contributors:

Alexa Davidson, MSN, RN

Sources:
1. What is menopause?
2. Menopause basics
3. Postmenopause
4. Impact of sex and reproductive status on memory circuitry structure and function in early midlife using structural covariance analysis
5. What are the treatments for other symptoms of menopause?
6. Menopause FAQs: Understanding the symptoms