Originating from the Greek language menopause means ‘month’ and ‘cease’. Menopause is measured by your periods. It’s when you stop having periods for one whole year. Menopause is a natural transition your mind and body goes through.
The years leading up to that are known as your perimenopause or pre-menopause. And the years after menopause are, unsurprisingly, known as post menopause.
What causes menopause?
Perimenopause is prompted by the decline in the number of eggs you have. We’re born with a finite number of eggs, usually around 2 million and over the years, between ovulation and natural wear and tear, our eggs run out.
Why is that important? Because they produce a powerful hormone, oestrogen, that orchestrates your periods and much more besides.
So, when your ovaries run out of eggs your body stops having periods and that’s what causes menopause.
What age does menopause happen?
The average age that women notice perimenopause or premenopause is around 45 years. You may start to notice a change around that time give or take a few years. The average age that women hit menopause ‘day’ at 51.
Some women experience early menopause, generally accepted as before 40 years old, and some become immediately menopausal due to medical reasons such as cancer treatment or surgery such as full hysterectomy.
How long does menopause last?
Well, technically it’s just a day and then you’re post menopausal. That doesn’t mean that the changes stop. On average women are aware of changes for around 4 years although a small number of women can go on to experience menopausal issues into their 60’s and 70’s.
What does menopause do to your body?
Throughout your life your hormones (Greek for ‘set in motion’) send messages around your body like the conductors of an orchestra instructing your mind and body. When these hormones change in both quantity and quality things become out of balance and issue can arise.
Hot flushes are generally regarded as the most obvious outward sign of perimenopause. But it’s so much more than no more periods and hot flushes menopause is complex.
This imbalance can bring about a number of issues. The ones most often talked about are; hot flushes; night sweats; lack of mental clarity; anxiety; depression; weight gain; insomnia; joint pain; osteoporosis; cardiovascular issues; lack of libido; vaginal dryness; thinning hair; facial hair; erratic periods; scanty or heavy periods.
It’s a bit like reading the side effects of a prescription drug packet. You can be driven out of your mind with worry that you’ll get all the side effects and be unable to cope. So, it’s important to remember we are all individuals and you can take your health into your own hands.
Is it all bad?
Everyone is different. For some women it’s an incredibly difficult time. It can affect relationships, work, self esteem and mental health as well as the physical stuff.
For others its’ a time of liberation. No longer tied to the monthly cycle, the kids or pleasing everyone else. Honestly there are positives and ways to take care of yourself.
For more about what you can do to help yourself during menopause read our other post– how to take care of yourself through perimenopause and beyond.
How we can help you
If you’re suffering with hot flushes and night sweats, we can help. When we trialled our heroine product, the Menopoised Menopause Magnet, over 80% of our participants experienced a reduction in the intensity and frequency of their hot flushes and night sweats within a week of use.
About Jo Darling MBAcC Lic Acu
Jo is a Brighton-based Acupuncturist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Acupuncture from the University of Greenwich. Her training includes western medicine pathology, physiology and anatomy. She is also a member of the British Acupuncture Council.
Jo is passionate about women’s health. She has helped 100’s of women live healthier, happier lives. She has spent over 10 years practicing acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, reflexology and Chinese herbs.
As well as fertility, pregnancy and natural menopause Jo specialises in the treatment of breast cancer patients particularly those thrown into early menopause by chemotherapy. This work inspired Menopoised.
For more information about her work visit her website.
About Menopoised
We understand the challenges of menopause because we are menopausal. That’s why we created Menopoised. The Menopoised Menopause Magnet is a first of it's kind, acupuncture inspired, safe, effective and side-effect free. Our products have been created to support a broad spectrum of issues, designed to help guide women through a positive menopause.
How Can Help You?
If you’re suffering with hot flushes and night sweats, we can help. When we trialled our heroine product, the Menopoised Menopause Magnet, over 80% of our participants experienced a reduction in the intensity and frequency of their hot flushes and night sweats within a week of use. Read about our research here.
Stay in Touch
If you’d like to join the Menopoised conversation and be first to hear about Menopoised news, offers and selfcare tips to manage your menopause naturally - sign up here.