Have you ever had one of those moments when, in the middle of the day, you suddenly felt a wave of uncomfortable heat climb onto your chest and face? Heart began racing for no apparent reason? And later the period you had been waiting for came, but 50-60 days late? Well, all these might be the signs of your impending menopause.
Good news, once you understand more about it, it becomes more manageable. So ditch the panic and let’s understand together what is really happening within your body.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is a phase that approaches a woman’s life when her ovaries decide to gradually stop making or releasing eggs. Then the body synthesises less progesterone and oestrogen, and the female body cannot get pregnant naturally anymore.
It generally happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years, but it varies from woman to woman. To understand it better, imagine your body gradually turning down the volume of egg and hormone production.
The surest sign that you have reached menopause is not having any periods for 12 consecutive months. Before that, the inconsistency in periods is simply your transition phase, a.k.a. perimenopause.
3 Stages of Menopause
Menopause doesn’t happen suddenly. Your body tunes to it slowly in three phases.
Perimenopause
This stage can be seen in the changing years. Your cycles become unstable. Some months you experience heavy bleeding, while in others it's light. And sometimes it disappears altogether. This, coupled with hormonal fluctuations, affects your mood, sleep, energy, and how your skin looks.
Menopause
It’s the milestone stage and can be recognised by the fact that you have not had your periods for a full year.
Post-menopause
Here, your body reaches a new normal, when all the troublesome symptoms have finally settled, and your body has adapted itself to the lower hormone conditions.
Each woman transitions through these three stages differently. Different bodies, different timelines.
Most Noticeable Early Signs of Menopause
Symptoms differ from woman to woman. But the most common signs reported by transitioning women are as follows:
- Irregular Periods: They come early, late, and sometimes not at all. Even the blood flow begins to vary per cycle.
- Hot Flashes: Feeling intense heat on the chest, neck, or face suddenly, accompanied by redness and sweating. Such flashes can stay for an hour or get over within only a few minutes.
- Night Sweats: Due to these nightly symptoms, you end up waking feeling uncomfortable and sweaty.
- Fatigue: You might be unusually foggy or tired during the day.
- Low Libido or Vaginal Dryness: There can be a lack of moisture in your vaginal canal. This, in turn, can lead to low libido, discomfort during intimacy or increased risk of UTIs.
- Mood Changes: Many women report experiencing irritability, depression, anxiety and mood swings during menopause.
- Joint Pain: If you are experiencing discomfort in your hips and knees, it might be due to the transitioning phase.
Early Detection With Menopause Test Kit
Two medical conditions mimic the symptoms of menopause: thyroid disorders and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). That’s why it's always advisable to ascertain whether the symptoms your body is showing are due to menopause or something else.
Earlier, women had to undergo blood tests to know for certain. However, times have changed now. You can check it with the help of a simple, non-invasive urine test. Simply order a Sirona Menopause Test Kit and test whether you are menopausal or not at the comfort of your home. It is a test very much similar to a pregnancy test kit.
How Does The Menopause Test Kit Work?
This kit detects Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels in your urine.
A higher FSH level means that the ovaries are slowing their work and point towards a probable perimenopause.
When to Consider Buying a Menopause Test Kit?
You should consider this test if -
- Your periods have become irregular without any reason.
- You are under 45 years of age, but the symptoms have started showing.
- You want to be sure before approaching a doctor.
How to Test Properly With the Kit
Remember these tips while using the menopause test kit.
- If menstruating: Test during the cycle, any day between day 2 and day 7. Repeat after one week.
- If not menstruating: Take the test any time and repeat 1 week later to confirm.
It is best to take the test in the morning. It’s when the levels of your hormones are clearer. Once the test shows high FSH levels in your urine, consult your doctor to understand the ways to manage symptoms better during the transition phase.
Lifestyle Changes to Help You While Transitioning
- Dress in breathable clothes to combat the hot flashes. Use the Sirona Menopause Cooling Mist to get instant relief from both night sweats and hot flashes. Also, keep a water bottle and a small towel handy.
- Take slow-paced walks to improve bone health and improve mood. Short stretch breaks will also help you manage joint stiffness better.
- Reduce intake of caffeine or spicy food if they trigger your hot flashes.
- Take special care of your intimate health and comfort. Wear cotton underwear to reduce friction and irritation. Replace harsh soaps with gentle cleansers. To relieve vaginal dryness or itching, use the Sirona Menopause Intimate Cream.
When to Consult a Doctor
If any of the following symptoms show, do not delay seeing a doctor.
- Hot flashes disrupting your life
- Menopause symptoms before you turn 40
- Pain during sex doesn’t improve
- Getting extremely heavy periods accompanied by clots
- Suddenly bleeding after a full year of no periods
Depending on your condition, the doctor may advise hormone therapy, non-hormonal options or a few lifestyle adjustments.
Final Word
Your body is simply changing the way it once did during puberty. So do not panic or even think about “fighting” this transition. All you need is patience, the right information, the right support and the right products to manage your menopause.
Those sudden hot flashes, missed periods or the crashing mood dip will eventually ebb, but the beautiful and wise you will always stay.
