{"id":267467,"date":"2022-11-29T14:39:58","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T19:39:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/?post_type=article&p=267467"},"modified":"2023-06-12T19:15:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T23:15:02","slug":"preparing-for-menopause","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/267467\/preparing-for-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for menopause"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So you\u2019ve heard a little bit about menopause, and you\u2019re wondering \u2014 do I need to brace for impact? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that many people go through menopause without noticing very many changes at all. The other good news is that, if you do have symptoms, there are lots of treatments to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a peek at what to expect and how you can start preparing for menopause <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before there\u2019s menopause, there\u2019s perimenopause<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A lot of what you hear about menopause is really about perimenopause \u2014 the time before menopause when your hormone levels start to fluctuate, your cycle becomes less regular, and eventually, your periods stop altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perimenopause can start as early as your 30s or as late as your 50s, but for most women, the first signs appear in their mid-40s. On average, this transition phase lasts about four years, but there is a lot of variation between women. Once you\u2019ve gone a full year without a period, you\u2019ve reached menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for menopause: The most common signs of perimenopause<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While each person experiences perimenopause differently, these are the most common things you might notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in your menstrual cycle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For many people, the first sign of perimenopause is irregular periods. Your cycle might become longer or shorter, and your periods may be lighter or heavier. You may skip periods. Eventually, periods stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot flashes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About 75 percent of women experience hot flashes around the time of menopause. When a hot flash happens, your face and body suddenly feel hot and you may sweat or develop red blotches. Hot flashes vary in intensity and duration \u2014 they can last 30 seconds or up to 10 minutes \u2014 and they can happen anytime. When hot flashes happen at night, they\u2019re called night sweats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most women (about 80 percent), the hot-flash phase lasts two years or less. But it\u2019s not uncommon to have an occasional hot flash later, even after menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mood changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that up to 23 percent of women have mood changes during and after perimenopause. Changing hormones and sleep disruptions can contribute to mood swings or a lower mood for some people. Menopause also happens at a time when life can be packed with stressors \u2014 from aging parents to children getting ready to leave home and careers in full swing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no simple way to untangle exactly what causes any one person\u2019s mood changes. If you\u2019re concerned about your mood \u2014 and especially if you have symptoms of depression \u2014 please talk to your healthcare provider for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trouble sleeping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nighttime hot flashes, mood changes, and major life events can all make it harder to sleep well. Managing the things that keep you from sleeping (like stress and hot flashes) and building healthy sleep habits, can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaginal dryness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Estrogen helps keep the vagina elastic and moisturized. As estrogen levels fluctuate, some women notice vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. An over-the-counter lubricant can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bladder changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As menopause approaches, some women find that they need to urinate more often, or notice that they leak some urine when laughing or sneezing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hair changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With hormonal shifts, some women develop more facial hair. The hair on the scalp may become thinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight gain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people have weight gain around menopause, especially in the stomach, hips, and thighs. This can be related to menopause, but it\u2019s also just easier to gain weight as we age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking care of yourself during perimenopause and beyond<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you notice perimenopause symptoms that bother you, there are lots of approaches to help. Some lifestyle adjustments, like eating well, exercising regularly, or sleeping with a fan and dressing in layers can bring relief. There are also some proven natural remedies (keep in mind that some \u201cnatural\u201d treatments make big promises and don\u2019t deliver \u2014 so always check with your healthcare provider first). Many women also opt for hormone therapy to ease symptoms and reduce health risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the changes around menopause are frustrating or uncomfortable for you, talk to your healthcare provider. You can work together to find an approach that matches your symptoms, preferences, and lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approaching menopause in an anti-aging world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Menopause might be happening in your body, but it also happens in a society that has a lot to say about aging. Flip open any fashion magazine and you\u2019re likely to be bombarded with images of very young women and ads for anti-aging miracle cures. It\u2019s easy to internalize the message that aging is a problem to manage or hide. And from there, it\u2019s not far to feeling like menopause is embarrassing or shameful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If those negative messages have seeped in, it may be worth considering some other perspectives. In study after study, researchers have found that menopause has a lot of good sides. Here are just a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n