While menopause is defined only after a woman’s period has stopped for 12 consecutive months, hormonal changes and symptoms are often incremental.
Although the term “menopause” is often used loosely to describe all midlife changes, menopause transitions in stages (perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause) and looks different for everyone.
A “typical” menopause experience is often described as developing symptoms and ending menstruation in your mid to late 40s, although women may experience menopause earlier or later due to factors like chemotherapy, surgical damage to or removal of ovaries, genetic factors, or certain chronic health conditions. While every woman’s symptoms are different, common symptoms include vasomotor symptoms (VMS) of hot flashes and night sweats, changes in mood or premenstrual syndrome, irritability, depressive symptoms, increased anxiety, sleep disturbances and insomnia, brain fog, and genitourinary symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, irritation, and urinary incontinence.
Symptom severity and duration can also differ among women of different races and ethnicities. For example, studies show Japanese women experience 4.8 years of VMS on average, compared to white women, whose average symptom duration is 6.5 years, Hispanic women at 8.9 years, and African American women at 10.1 years.
Currently, 73% of women are not treating their menopause symptoms, and only 17% speak to their significant other about them. Because every woman’s experience is so unique, having regular conversations with healthcare providers and loved ones, as well as keeping a personal record of symptoms, are key to healthily navigating the menopause transition.
There is ample opportunity to break down the stigma of menopause and better navigate this natural life stage. Learn more about menopause in the free SWHR Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide.
