Menopause and its symptoms – how to recognize perimenopause

Just as puberty marks the beginning of a new phase of life, so too does menopause. However, many women suffer from various symptoms during this time. Learn more about menopause, its symptoms, and the risk of confusing them with illnesses here.

Typical Symptoms of Menopause

For most women, menopause, also called perimenopause, begins around their mid-40s. However, it can also start significantly earlier or later. This varies greatly from woman to woman. About one-third experience this period without bothersome menopausal symptoms. Other women have severe symptoms that limit them in everyday life. Menopause thus varies widely and depends heavily on individual hormone balance. But what symptoms are generally possible?

Menstrual Cycle Irregularities

Menopause is a woman's last menstruation. However, the body cannot switch overnight but undergoes a slow process known as menopause. The production of estrogen and progesterone gradually decreases. This can lead to an irregular and altered cycle. Heavy or significantly longer bleeding, as well as spotting, are also typical during menopause.

Increased Menstrual Discomfort

Even if you haven't experienced discomfort before your period, symptoms like headaches, breast tenderness, or water retention can now occur. Changes in hormones are responsible for this. With a healthy diet, you can counteract water retention. Find out how here: Body drainage: 7 tips on what you can do!

Dizziness

Hormonal changes occasionally affect the sense of balance in the ear or the circulatory system. The consequences are dizziness, nausea, even vomiting, and fainting. These symptoms usually occur in conjunction with hot flashes. For those affected, dizziness is very unpleasant and uncontrollable. If you are affected by it, you should have the cause clarified by a doctor. Drinking enough water and keeping the circulation active through exercise are useful against these menopausal symptoms.

Hot Flashes

The sudden rush of heat is the most well-known symptom of menopause. Those affected experience a hot flash three to 20 times a day. Severe sweating, redness of the skin, a feeling of pressure in the head, or even a diminished perception of the surroundings can occur. Hot flashes make menopause unbearable for many women, as the constant sweating and unpleasant feeling interfere with their daily lives. Find out 5 tips for hot flashes during menopause here.

Sleep Disturbances

Even sleep is affected by menopause. Frequent waking due to hot flashes disrupts nighttime rest and can lead to less deep sleep. Some women also suffer from difficulty falling asleep. Overall, these sleep disturbances can be quite taxing and limit your energy level during the day. Memory problems result from lack of sleep, but also from the drop in estrogen levels itself.

Changes in Hair, Skin, and Bones

Estrogen performs various functions in the body: it ensures good skin moisture and makes it appear smooth. If estrogen levels decrease due to menopause, the skin can become wrinkled and thinner. In addition, the relative content of testosterone increases. This can change hair growth. On the one hand, hair loss is possible, and on the other hand, a female beard.

Estrogen also inhibits bone breakdown. If less of the hormone is produced, the bones suffer, and osteoporosis (bone loss) becomes more likely. Therefore, from menopause onwards, pay particular attention to calcium and Vitamin D in your diet.

Weight Gain

Women often gain weight during menopause. The cause is the age-related decrease in basal metabolic rate. This means that with the same calorie intake as before, you gain weight because the body needs less energy. Mainly, muscles are spared. Muscle mass decreases, and fat tissue increases. You can counteract this with increased exercise and a protein-rich diet. By the way, this complaint has nothing to do with hormonal changes but is due to age. Men are affected by a decreasing basal metabolic rate just like women.

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Changes in Mucous Membranes

During and after menopause, some mucous membranes in the body are less well supplied with blood. The vaginal mucosa is particularly affected, as mucus production in the cervix also decreases here. Typical symptoms include itching and increased infections. Pain during sexual intercourse can also occur.

Psychological Distress and Irritability

Hormonal changes often come with increased irritability and a higher risk of depressive moods. Estrogen usually ensures a good mood. If this hormone decreases during menopause, it can lead to mood swings, discomfort, and similar issues. For some women, altered estrogen levels can lead to depression. If you are affected, you need professional help. Your doctor is a good first point of contact.

Warning: Risk of Confusing Symptoms

During menopause, you can be plagued by many different ailments. Therefore, signs of illnesses are often not recognized, as they are automatically attributed to menopause. For example, vaginal bleeding can also indicate uterine cancer. You should therefore not skip regular gynecological cancer screenings. Hormonal changes associated with weight gain, fatigue, and irregular menstruation are also signs of an underactive thyroid. Hot flashes are also a symptom of histamine intolerance. For you, this means that you should not simply accept all symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Observe your body carefully; if something seems unusual, seek advice from a medical professional.

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Menopause - not just a women's issue

Not only women go through menopause, but also men. While this is often controversially discussed, as men lack a defining event like menopause, testosterone levels do decrease with age. This manifests in similar symptoms to women's menopause. Around 40 to 50 years of age, hormone production also decreases in men. Symptoms such as irritability, joint and limb pain, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, but also hot flashes, night sweats, dizziness, and inner restlessness become noticeable. A balanced diet, an active lifestyle, and good stress management strategies are helpful. However, for men too, if the symptoms are excessive, a doctor should be consulted to investigate the cause and rule out possible illnesses.

Both women and men should not perceive menopause merely as a strenuous time, because it marks the beginning of a new phase of life. Look forward to your new freedoms and use them for positive changes.