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Menopause can be a time of personal liberation where we emerge wiser, healthier and ultimately stronger in mind and body. Menopause can also be a time of confusion and anxiety if women are not well informed, supported and equipped to deal with the changes they may experience on their journey.
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Stages of Menopause

Menopause is normal and natural – it can be a positive experience, if women are adequately informed, equipped and supported to navigate their unique journeys.

Stages of Menopause

The time leading up to menopause is as different for every woman, as we are from one another, and each woman’s menopause is unique and specific to her

Women’s experience of menopause is strongly influenced by personal, family and social factors and there is evidence that having a positive attitude and being prepared for menopause, can reduce distressing asymptoms and empower you to manage it with greater confidence.

There are an estimated 3 million South African women between the age of 45 and 54 years – who are likely to be in one of the menopause phases each year (source: MAPS 2021 data set, Marketing Research Foundation South Africa).

9 out of 10 South African women have told us that they learnt about menopause through trial and error, rather than education, care or support! (Source: Daliah SA Menopuase Benchmark Report 2022)

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Awareness of what to expect during the different stages of menopause enables a woman to prepare and manage her journey. 

We encourage women to pass forward their knowledge and learnings to enable and encourage others to prepare for this important life stage brought about by hormone decline as part of the natural aging process.

How is Menopause Diagnosed?

If you are 45 years old or over, the diagnosis of perimenopause is usually based on the symptoms a woman may experience, as hormones fluctuate so much by the time a woman reaches her mid-40s, hormone blood tests can be inaccurate.

For a woman under 45, a hormone blood test can be taken to test levels of FSH. FSH is tested early in our cycle as it is the first step in the hormonal loop. If levels are high, it can indicate that your menstrual cycle is no longer functioning properly.

Your healthcare practitioner may choose to test other hormone levels, such as testosterone if libido has dropped significantly during perimenopause. This test can be useful in deciding whether testosterone should be prescribed.

The Stages Of Menopause

There are broadly speaking three stages of menopause.

Only 3 in 10 South African women feel they are adequately prepared for the menopause, with sufficient information to guide them. (Source: Daliah SA Menopause Benchmark Report 2022)
Stage 1: Perimenopause meaning “around menopause” or the “menopausal transition (typically starts early-40s)

The menopause transition – or perimenopause – is the period of time leading up to the final menstrual period.

The changes during perimenopause begin subtly and what many women do not know – because we don’t talk about menopause enough – is that menopause symptoms can start between two and fourteen years before a woman’s final period happens. The average time in perimenopause is 4 years, but some women will notice changes in their mid-30s already – remember everyone is different.

Perimenopause can be a devastating time if you don’t understand what is happening to your body, so here are the changes to look out for:

  • If you have consistent changes in your period – both in length of period, frequency and flow, without the presence of other health issues, you may be in early perimenopause.
  • If gaps between periods begin lengthening, to about 60 days, you could be in late perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles can continue, and pregnancy can still happen, so continue to take precautions.
  • Common symptoms can include: breast tenderness; worsening of PMS; irregular periods; changes in period flow.

1 in 2 women start to experience menopause-related symptoms in their early 40’s (source: Daliah SA Menopause Benchmark Report 2022)

We’ll keep sharing new tips on how to manage the symptoms associated with menopause. Sign up for the Daliah Digest newsletter, to stay informed, equipped and supported through your journey.

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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.