Menopause – it’s a normal life transition. Yet, when menopause symptoms creep up, it can be confusing and frustrating. You may get moody, have trouble sleeping, or have hot flashes strike out of nowhere.
Or your period, which used to be steady as a rock, is now all over the map. Navigating menopause early symptoms can be difficult.
However, knowing what to expect can ease your mind and smooth out the bumps of this journey. This article spells out 20 common signs of menopause, why they happen, and offers tips to support your body through this change.
First things first – let’s break down the three stages of menopause:
Perimenopause (which means “around menopause”), refers to the years leading up to menopause. During these years, estrogen gradually declines. This can cause irregular menstrual cycles, among other symptoms. Perimenopause happens in your 40s most often but can occur as early as your mid-30s.
When 12 months have passed without a menstrual cycle, you’ve graduated to menopause. This marks the end of your reproductive years.
Once someone has gone through menopause, they’re no longer ovulating and considered postmenopausal. During this time, menopause symptoms may become milder or even disappear entirely.
Menopause typically happens between ages 45-55, with an average age of 51. However, some women may go through ‘the change’ much earlier.
Early menopause happens when women reach menopause between the ages of 40-45. Premature menopause, while rare, is when menopause hits before the age of 40.
Wondering if menopause may pay you an early visit? Here are four risk factors that can make it more likely:
However, if you have a hysterectomy (aka removal of your uterus), the ovaries can still release estrogen and progesterone. This means you can still get menopause symptoms but may get them a few years earlier.
Perimenopause symptoms creep up as your body adjusts to the dip in estrogen and vary in severity from woman to woman.
Some women get lucky and experience only mild symptoms, such as changes to their cycle. Other women might deal with hot flashes, mood changes, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness. Every woman’s perimenopause symptoms will be unique.
Here are 20 possible signs that menopause may be on its way:
According to the Office on Women’s Health, perimenopause symptoms last around four years. Yet, they can last anywhere between two to eight years.
Once you hit the magic menopause mark, your symptoms will fade in intensity and frequency. Yet, these symptoms tend to linger around 4-5 years on average.
While you can’t avoid perimenopause symptoms entirely, you can put into place dietary and lifestyle changes to smooth the ride. Here are six ways to tame menopause symptoms naturally:
Erratic periods, night sweats, and mood swings are stressful stuff! Luckily you can combat perimenopause stress by triggering your parasympathetic nervous system, aka ‘rest and digest mode. Because the adrenals glands play more of a role in sex hormone production the closer one gets to menopause, it's important to rest them so they can go to work for you.
One way to do that is by activating your vagus nerve. The vagus nerve serves as the bridge between your gut and brain. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping you chill out and build resilience to stress. Night sweats which are often confused for hot flashes are oftentimes triggered by stress, so even more of a reason to care for your adrenal glands.
Stimulating your vagus nerve is simple and only takes a few minutes a day! I break down five different ways to stimulate your vagus nerve in this post – so be sure to check it out (#2 is my fave)!
When estrogen production slows down, so does your metabolism. You may begin to notice you’re putting on some pounds, even if you haven’t changed your diet or exercise routine.
Luckily, you can keep hormonal weight gain in check by eating more plant foods. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and fiber-rich. Fiber is the key to feeling full longer, so you’re less likely to overeat. Many studies have found a link between high fiber diets and weight loss. Taking a daily natural fiber supplement is helpful even on top of a plant-based diet.
And if hot flashes are driving you bonkers, try limiting your sugar intake. Research shows women with higher blood sugar levels tend to have more hot flashes.
Both alcohol and caffeine are known to trigger hot flashes. Avoid them if you can, or limit them at the very least.
If you want relief from perimenopause symptoms, then get your body moving! Since exercise aids in mood, memory, sleep quality, and more – it can provide relief on many levels.
Women who exercise regularly tend to have less severe symptoms than sedentary women. In one study perimenopausal and postmenopausal women took part in an exercise routine for 12 weeks. Subjects had improvements in symptoms like sleep quality, depression, and insomnia.
Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles may help reduce bladder issues. As a bonus, it might spice up your sex life too! To learn how to do Kegel exercises, check out this video.
Many supplements can provide natural support for perimenopause symptoms, including:
The gut microbiome is central to both systemic and estrogen metabolism, and is altered by the menopausal transition, suggesting an important role of the microbiome in the increased metabolic risk faced by menopausal women. Conversely, an imbalanced or bacterial overgrowth in the microbiome can also impact hormones. It's important to get your gut AND hormones tested and take measures to balance both. Do you know that we offer an online program that does just that?
Perimenopause brings a lot of changes physically, psychologically, and sexually. While ‘the change’ can be uncomfortable, it’s natural. Modifying your diet and lifestyle may help you soften the bumps along the way.
But, if menopause early symptoms are interfering with your life, make sure you get the support you need. The DUTCH Hormone test is a great place to start. It gives you the inside scoop into your unique hormone puzzle, so you’re not blindly treating symptoms.
If you’re ready to get to the root of your hormonal issues and regain balance, click here to schedule your complimentary Discovery Call. We’ll chat about your hormonal health concerns and create a customized program with targeted nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations to restore harmony to your hormones.
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Coreflex Wellness is located in Basalt, CO, and serves clients throughout Aspen and Glenwood Springs. These areas include but are not limited to Snowmass, Carbondale, New Castle, Palisade, Grand Junction, Telluride, Durango, Montrose, Eagle, Edwards, Frisco, Boulder, and Denver.
