Reedsburg Area Medical Center Health

The Three Stages of Menopause

Menopause is the end of a woman's reproductive years marked by a natural biological process. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing eggs, and levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease. This leads to menstrual cycle changes, and menstruation eventually ceases altogether. Menopause is a normal part of aging; most women experience it sometime in their early 50s. The exact age at which menopause occurs varies from woman to woman, but there are some common symptoms that many women experience during this time.

Menopause is divided into three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Each stage presents a different set of symptoms.

Stage 1: The Perimenopause

The perimenopause stage refers to the point when a woman approaches menopause when the body is transitioning to the end of the reproductive years. Perimenopause begins at varying ages, but mainly during the early 40s and sometimes in the mid-30s. 

During the perimenopause period, the levels of estrogen rise and fall unsteadily. There are also noticeable signs of progression towards menopause in this phase with increasing irregularity in menstruation. The menstrual cycle may lengthen or shorten with bouts of cycles with no involved ovulation (egg cell release). Menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems occur during the perimenopausal stage.

Other symptoms include:

• Mood swings / Irritability
• Night sweats
• Elevated heart rate
• Urinary issues

Stage 2: Menopause

When the woman goes 12 consecutive months of having no menstruation with no involved medication, breastfeeding, or pregnancy, she has officially entered the menopausal stage. On average, most women enter their menopause around the age of 50. The transition from perimenopause to menopause can take about 1-3 years, depending on the woman’s estrogen levels.

Bodily changes involved in menopause include:

• Loss of muscle tone
• Buildup of fats
• Memory problems
• Stiff and achy muscles and joints

Stage 3: Postmenopause

The postmenopause stage is the time when a woman has gone through the menopause years. The menopausal symptoms a woman has been having during perimenopause and menopause phases are milder and may go away completely. Some women may still experience menopause symptoms for up to 10 years. 

Once a woman enters the postmenopause stage, she will be in this phase for the rest of her life. The hormone levels will remain relatively low, and she will no longer have menstruation or ovulation. The ovaries during this time are making very little estrogen and progesterone.

Postmenopause Symptoms include:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Low sex drive
• Vaginal discomfort and dryness 
• Sexual irritability
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Dry skin
• Weight changes
• Hair loss
• Urinary incontinence

It is also during the postmenopause stage that women are more predisposed to certain conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disorders
• Joint pain
• Hepatitis C
• Gout
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal atrophy (thinning and drying of the vaginal walls)
• Gum disease

Reedsburg Area Medical Center is here to help

Although menopause can be difficult for many women, it is a natural process all women go through. There are ways to make the transition smoother, including understanding the three stages of menopause, being proactive about your health, and seeking help from professionals when needed. By knowing what to expect during each stage of menopause, you can take steps to manage any symptoms that arise and live a healthy life during this time.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center is a medical institution dedicated to providing comprehensive care to women experiencing symptoms of menopause from different stages. The Obstetrics and Gynecology team is spearheaded by experienced medical specialists that aim to help women get through this stage in a positive and healthy way. If you are experiencing menopause, schedule an appointment with us to begin the evaluation and treatment plan.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

https://blog.johnsonmemorial.org/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/

https://menopause.obgyn.msu.edu/