Menopause is a huge change, but it feels like a mystery to so many of the people who find themselves dealing with the changes menopause brings. Navigating those changes is not for the faint of heart, but you also don’t exactly get a choice. Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN can help you to develop a plan for working through your own path with menopause.
The Official Onset of Menopause May Be Different than You Think
Menopause really is different for every person who experiences it. Officially menopause starts twelve months after your last period. There may be a few false starts before menopause truly begins. Some people find that the time between periods gradually lengthens until eventually a year has passed.
Perimenopause Might Last for Quite a While
This timeframe before the true onset of menopause is called perimenopause. Perimenopause can last for years in some cases. It starts with changes in hormone functions, chiefly progesterone and estrogen levels. Both hormones decline, causing changes that can be surprising while you’re going through those changes.
Menopause Symptoms Vary
The symptoms that you might experience during perimenopause and true menopause can vary. They might even vary from month to month as your hormone levels change. Some of the symptoms you could see include:
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis
- Insomnia
- Pain during intercourse
Menopause Symptoms Are Manageable
The good news is that there are some things that you can do to help manage menopause symptoms. Sometimes what you can do is situational, like using a fan with nighttime hot flashes or dressing in layers. Other solutions can include things like adjusting your diet, adding exercise to your daily routine, and adding supplements and medications that assist with managing symptoms.
Family History Can Give You Clues
How other women in your family have experienced menopause can help you to have an inkling how you might also go through menopause. That’s really all it is, though, because there are no guarantees. Everyone’s hormones are different, and that does lead to big differences in menopause. Also, variables such as previous pregnancies and other health issues can also have an impact on how your hormone changes affect you.
There’s no reason to feel lost while you’re dealing with perimenopause and menopause. Contact us today at Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN in Stockbridge, GA. We can help you to find a solution to deal with your unique hormonal changes as they arise.
