The majority of women will experience menopause at some point in their lives, yet there is still a stigma around discussing the signs and symptoms of menopause. As many as 85% of women who go through menopause experience symptoms, you are not alone, but you may not be able to identify many of the symptoms since they are not widely discussed.
This stigma stops women from getting the knowledge and care they deserve. In a 2023 survey, respondents reported that they experienced as many as 10 different menopause symptoms, but close to 50% of those respondents did not feel like they had the knowledge and tools to manage their symptoms.
What do you do when you expect that you are dealing with menopause symptoms?
Menopause Symptoms List: Your guide for what to expect from menopause
You may have heard of the term menopause many times but are not 100% sure what it means. Simply put, menopause is a process where a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decline. The most apparent change is periods stop permanently, and a woman can no longer get pregnant. Healthcare providers officially diagnose menopause when it has been at least 12 months since the last period (with no other biological cause). While the average age for menopause is around 52, however, a woman can enter menopause earlier or later, so age is not always a good indicator.
During the “menopausal transition,” many women experience any number of symptoms as their hormones change. Some of the most common symptoms are hot flashes, irregular spotting, and mood changes. The good news is you do not have to deal with these symptoms alone. Contact your Genesis OBGYN provider to ensure you get the care you need.
What are the 34 menopause symptoms?
When it comes to menopause symptoms, you often only hear about the most common ones, like hot flashes, but there are many more that you may be experiencing and not realize are menopause-related. Providers and past research have identified at least 34 different symptoms associated with menopause, and they go far above and beyond the ones we often hear about, like hot flashes or fatigue.
Here are some of the 34 symptoms associated with menopause beyond hot flashes, including some of the lesser-known symptoms:
- Night sweats
- Irregular periods
- Tinnitus
- Allergies
- Weight gain
- Brittle nails
- Muscle tension and aches
- Changes in taste and dry mouth
- Memory lapses
- Joint pain
- Itchiness
As you can see from the above, the hormonal changes associated with menopause can have many effects on your body. You may not even be aware that changes in your sleep cycle, difficulty concentrating and dizzy spells can all be due to menopause. That is why it’s important to bring these concerns to your Genesis Provider, even if you are not sure what you are experiencing is, in fact, menopause.
How long do menopause symptoms last?
Menopause symptoms can wreak havoc on your daily life, making it difficult to work, keep up with family and friends and do many of the things you become accustomed to. It’s very normal to question how long menopause symptoms might last.
There is not a clear-cut answer on how long these symptoms last or even when they start since some women will begin experiencing menopausal symptoms before the transition, and some may not experience them until years later.
There are three stages of menopause, and they may take anywhere between seven to 14 years, and you may experience symptoms throughout that period of time. These phases are:
- Perimenopause: When your hormones begin to change, and symptoms might begin–such as hot flashes and irregular periods
- Menopause: This is when the ovaries slow hormone production, and it is likely you no longer have a period
- Postmenopause: This is the final stage after the menopausal transition is complete; it lasts the rest of your life, and you may still have symptoms
Throughout this process, you can experience any number of menopausal symptoms and this period can last a few years or, in some cases, a few decades.
Discuss Menopause symptoms, treatments, and a plan of action with your provider
Menopause is when your ovaries no longer produce certain hormones, resulting in the permanent end of your period. During this time, which can last anywhere between seven and 14 years, you might experience any number of symptoms, which can be mild or severe and affect people in different ways.
If you have been experiencing any of the above symptoms or expect you are experiencing menopause, contact your Genesis OBGYN provider. We’ll recommend and provide compassionate healthcare services to support your physical and emotional well-being. Contact us to request an appointment today.
