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Menopause is normal and natural – it can be a positive experience, if women are adequately informed, equipped and supported to navigate their unique journeys.
The actual word ‘menopause’ means the ‘end of monthly cycles’ (the end of monthly periods or menstruation) and comes from the Greek word pausis (‘to pause’) and mēn (meaning ‘month’).
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It is a totally natural process in a woman’s life with many positive changes. So, why are so many women caught unawares and have no idea of the many symptoms, or how to treat them? All the research points to a lack of information and a remaining stigma and taboo in talking about menopause – which leaves women in most societies around the world unsupported and isolated in dealing with this significant life change. South Africa is no different.
First, let’s look at what menopause means. It is defined as the time in our lives when our fertility starts to decline. A time when we can pause the responsibilities of childbirth and raising young children; and a time – if we are fortunate – to focus on ourselves more.
Menopause signals the decline of our reproductive hormones between the age of 40 to 50 years. You are in menopause officially when you haven’t had a period for 12 months.
Daliah is on a mission to unmute the conversation around menopause to make sure women are fully informed throughout their menopause journey, by understanding the symptoms and possible solutions for every stage.
What happens to the body during this time?
During the transition period leading up to menopause – known as perimenopause – our bodies start to produce lower and lower levels of two critical female hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
Menopause occurs when there are no more follicles in the ovaries capable of ovulating meaning no more eggs. These follicles are the main source of estrogen and one of the defining features of menopause is the drop in estrogen that causes many of the symptoms and concerns unique to it.
Eventually, the levels of oestrogen get so low that you stop having your period – and when that has happened for 12 consecutive months, you have reached the menopause mark. After that, you are considered “in post menopause”. There are different things that can trigger the start of your transition to menopause:
Your ovaries completely stop generating estrogen and releasing eggs once you reach post-menopause. You will go through this period for the rest of your life. The good news is that many women claim their symptoms start to lessen once they enter post-menopause, and they feel like they have a fresh lease on life. Some symptoms could linger and have a long-term effect on your life.
While it would be lovely to give you a neatly packaged set of symptoms, tools and remedies to unpack as you transition through each phase of your menopause journey, it doesn’t work like that. Every woman’s journey is unique. If you’d like to learn more about the most common symptoms of menopause, we’ve created a simple guide to get you started.
What can you do about the symptoms you may be experiencing?
Common symptoms include hot flushes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. Some women experience anxiety or depression.
Relief for symptoms can come from multiple sources – adjusting your lifestyle, adopting a holistic approach to managing your wellness, and medical solutions.
You can read more about some of the options available to manage your symptoms.
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Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any health condition or problem.