The average age is 51 years, but it can also be (much) earlier or later.
When menopause begins is different for everyone. The average age in the Netherlands is 51 years, but it can of course also be (much) earlier or later. Below are four symptoms that could easily signal the start of menopause.
Seven to ten years
You don’t get all the symptoms of menopause at the same time – the period in which your periods stop lasts an average of seven to ten years. Each phase involves different complaints. We list the symptoms of ‘premenopause’, or the period before your last period. Do you recognize these complaints? Then it could simply mean that the transition will soon start for your body.
1. Changed menstrual pattern
Were you always able to set the clock to the moment your period started, but is that no longer the case? Changes in the menstrual cycle are one of the most obvious symptoms of menopause. Usually your periods first become heavier and more frequent. For example, there may only be three weeks between the days you get your period instead of four. After a few months, the opposite usually happens: your periods become lighter and it takes longer and longer before your period comes again. You are ‘officially’ in menopause when you have not had your periods for a year.
2. First hot flashes
One of the best-known complaints of menopause is the infamous hot flashes. Suddenly you break out in a sweat – literally – and you feel hot and your face turns red. This may take a few seconds, but you can also end up with a bright red head for fifteen minutes. Don’t worry, this can feel very uncomfortable, but it is something that most menopausal women experience. You can also experience severe hot flashes at night, causing you to wake up drenched in sweat.
3. Changing mood
We know from experience that hormones can have a big impact on our mood. The days just before menstruation or the months of pregnancy can be a rollercoaster of emotions. You are not spared these mood swings during menopause either. Many women experience these sharp mood swings at the beginning of menopause: sadness, anger and happiness all seem to feel a lot more intense. Unfortunately, this also means that complaints of depression or burnout lurk during this period. Always seek professional help if you have any concerns.
4. Changes in the vagina
Menopause also leads to changes in the vagina. Many women suffer from vaginal dryness, which can cause discomfort during sex, but also while exercising or sitting. In addition, the mucous membrane on the inside of the vagina becomes thinner and drier, and therefore more vulnerable and sensitive.
Source: Things for Women | Image: Adobe Stock
