Stages of The Menopause |
The Menopause Journey
There are 3 stages of The Menopause, that together last 7 years on average in UK, but can last up to 14 years
(duration differs culturally)
Stage 1: Perimenopause
‘Peri’ menopause means ‘near’ menopause.
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This is when menopause symptoms start.
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Begins around age of 40,
(on average 45-55 in UK).
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Periods will be irregular, very light, or very heavy.
Or periods will have stopped within the last 6 months.
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You are still fertile.
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This stage can last up to 10 years and is the bulk of what we call ‘The Menopause’.
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What’s happening in your body:
Ovaries are beginning to fluctuate the amount of oestrogen & progesterone (hormones) they produce.
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Testosterone (hormone) is also reducing due to age, and has been slowly reducing
since age 20.
Stage 2: Menopause
Menopause literally means 'the last menstrual period’
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Medically, it is when your periods have stopped for 12 months.
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We often refer to ‘menopause’ to mean the whole menopause journey, but literally it is just a moment in time, as the time after this is the post-menopause..
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Happens around late 40s, early 50s, (on average age 51 in UK)
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Menopause symptoms can improve, or persist for up to 10 years.
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​What’s happening in your body:
Ovaries have stopped
releasing eggs.
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Ovaries gradually reduce production of oestrogen & progesterone to very low level.
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Testosterone will also still be reducing.
The Menopause journey can begin earlier
(including for trans men)
​​Premature Menopause &
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Your periods stop before age 40.
​You are no longer fertile.
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​If you still get the occasional period it could be POI and you could still be fertile.
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Early Menopause
You are between 40 & 45 years of age.
Your periods become irregular or stop.
Or, if you are a trans man on testosterone, this can happen at any age.
Surgically Induced Menopause
Following surgery, where your ovaries have been removed, or you have undergone certain cancer treatments, you will be plunged into sudden menopause, skipping perimenopause.
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The symptoms of each can be the same as for natural Menopause, whilst perhaps even more of a shock.
Stage 3: Post-Menopause
The years after menopause.
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Begins 12 months after periods have stopped.
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Oestrogen is still produced in small amounts from the ovaries.
Oestrogen is also produced from the adrenal glands, and from fat cells (this is thought to be why belly fat increases).
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And is why it is really impactful to lower stress & anxiety during Menopause, as the adrenal glands will prioritise producing stress hormones over oestrogen.
Menopause also offers us
a journey,
a rite of passage.
And with the right
support & guidance,
the opportunity of a lifetime.
