After a woman has completed the menopause transition, she is considered postmenopausal from that point onwards. While there may be some overlap with perimenopausal experiences, postmenopause generally brings different changes and concerns.
Typically, hormone levels do not fluctuate erratically like they do during perimenopause, but consistently low levels during postmenopause may bring on their own symptoms. Keep reading to learn about postmenopause symptoms, conditions to watch out for, and how to address them.
Menopause occurs on the day a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. From this point on, she is in postmenopause. The average age of the menopause transition in the U.S. is 51, so most women enter postmenopause in their early to mid-fifties. By their late fifties, the vast majority of women are postmenopausal.
Since postmenopause begins after a woman has not had a period for over a year, keeping track of menstrual cycles is the most straightforward way of identifying this transition. For many women, the symptoms of perimenopause also begin to diminish or disappear completely.
Continue reading for information on the causes behind postmenopause symptoms.
The main cause of postmenopause symptoms is low estrogen levels in the body. These consistently low levels also contribute to a heightened risk of developing certain conditions during this stage, although other factors also have a role.
Estrogen, progesterone, and other sex hormones regulate the menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, a follicle in the ovaries releases an egg. However, as women grow older, there are fewer and fewer follicles remaining. Hormone levels fluctuate up and down, and menstruation eventually stops permanently. When this occurs, estrogen levels tend to stay consistently low.
While estrogen is best-known for its role in regulating the menstrual cycle, it actually has many functions throughout the body. These include regulating bone growth, controlling the contraction of blood vessels, and influencing mood, to name a few. When estrogen levels are deficient during postmenopause, several symptoms may arise. Some postmenopause symptoms may also be linked to low progesterone levels.
While low estrogen levels are the main cause of most postmenopause symptoms, other factors can also contribute. For example, a poor diet, genetics, and lack of exercise may compound symptoms.
Continue to the next section for information on the specific symptoms of postmenopause, as well as conditions to look out for.
There may be some overlap between perimenopause and postmenopause symptoms, since perimenopause also includes phases of low estrogen levels. However, many women find that their perimenopause symptoms fade away after their period stops. New symptoms and changes may appear during this stage.
The following are the most commonly-reported symptoms of postmenopause.
What other symptoms might be due to postmenopause? Some of the less common symptoms of perimenopause may appear or continue into postmenopause. Typically, they are linked to hormonal imbalance and possibly general aging.
A woman is considered postmenopausal when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period and there is no other medical condition present that would cause a lack of menstruation. To determine that the menopause transition has occurred, a doctor will typically perform three procedures: a review of the patient's medical history, a physical exam, and laboratory tests.
While postmenopause symptoms typically do not have any complications per se, since menopause is a natural life transition. However, aging and low hormone levels can increase a woman's risk of developing certain conditions, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Women are at particular risk as they enter postmenopause.
It is important to keep a watchful eye for any warning signs and monitor them properly in order to distinguish when they could signal a more serious condition.
Postmenopause is a natural life stage, but the symptoms can interfere with daily life and require treatment. In addition, many women seek safe and natural means of preventing chronic conditions or lowering their risk of developing them during postmenopause.
Postmenopause symptoms are generally linked to hormonal imbalance, but since other factors can also influence them, it may be necessary to tackle the treatment of these symptoms from different angles. Balancing hormone levels can not only reduce postmenopause symptoms, but also help in the prevention of conditions associated with this stage.
Three levels of approaches can be considered for treating menopause symptoms. These are categorized as: (1) Lifestyle Changes, (2) Alternative Medicine, and (3) Pharmaceutical Options.
In general, lifestyle adjustments help to relieve symptoms while also benefiting overall health. They also involve the least risk of all the approaches, but conversely, the most dedication. If these changes prove insufficient in alleviating postmenopause symptoms, a hormone-balancing treatment may be necessary. Pharmaceutical options tend to be reserved for the most severe cases because of the cost and risk they entail.
Healthy lifestyle changes are considered the first recourse for preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions associated with postmenopause. They can also help alleviate postmenopause symptoms. Generally, a healthy diet, exercise, and wholesome habits are recommended.
While lifestyle changes may be the key to prevention, they may not directly address hormonal imbalance. In such cases, some forms of alternative medicine can help with hormone levels.
Of the many modalities proposed by alternative medicine, one in particular can help balance hormone levels: herbal supplements.
Additionally, other supplements and alternative practices may assist in the treatment of certain symptoms.
A woman's symptoms, depending on their severity, can often be managed with a combination of healthy habits and herbal supplements. This is also an optimal way to prevent health conditions linked with postmenopause. However, intense symptoms or developing conditions may require medical intervention.
This approach typically entails more risk than the above approaches, but in some cases, it may be necessary. For general postmenopause symptoms caused by low estrogen levels, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be prescribed, though other medications may be used for specific conditions.
The different aspects of these approaches can be customized to best fit each individual woman's symptoms, needs, and preferences. Many women find effective relief and even overall wellness by combining healthy lifestyle changes with hormone-regulating herbal supplements.
A better understanding of how your body works will help you cope with hormonal fluctuations.
Detecting symptoms of hormonal imbalance can prevent you from developing serious conditions.
Implement simple lifestyle changes and natural approaches to prevent, manage, and relieve symptoms.