Menopause is part of female biology and happens to all women over a certain age. Menopause is officially diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. However, before menstruation comes to an end, most women experience a transitional period, which can last several years, known as the perimenopause. Our guide explains the signs and symptoms of the menopause and what can help improve symptoms.
When does menopause occur?
The menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 but can start earlier or later. It can be affected by your overall health, diet and lifestyle, such as smoking or drinking alcohol.
How long does menopause last?
The period before the menopause (when you have had 12 months without a menstrual period) is known as the perimenopause, usually lasts about 7 years. However, symptoms can last up to 10 years or in some cases even longer.
What are the early signs and symptoms of menopause?
Menopause occurs when the body’s levels of estrogen decline. Hormonal changes within the body causes symptoms associated with the perimenopause.
Irregular periods
During perimenopause you’ll begin to experience irregular periods, and the likelihood of you ovulating during your menstrual cycle decreases. Your period flow and cycle length may change. And, as your progress to the later stages of perimenopause the time between each menstrual cycle could be as much as 60 days apart.
While irregular periods are a normal part of perimenopause, you should contact your GP if you experience extremely heavy bleeding and/or a period that lasts longer than 7 days.
Difficulty sleeping
Trouble sleeping is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of menopause and can include;
- Insomnia
- Trouble staying asleep
- Night sweats
- Restless legs
- Increased snoring
This is due to the change of hormones in your body. And, while hormones do have a big role to play in the quality of your sleep, making the right lifestyle choices can make vast improvements to your sleep. Some examples include, going to bed at the same time every day, avoiding screentime and caffeine at night and using aromatherapy techniques to create a calming environment to improve your quality of sleep.
Hot flashes
Hot flashes are another common symptom associated with menopause, it’s categorised by an intense flash of heat within the body and can also trigger sweating, dizziness and increased heart rate. A hot flash can be an intense feeling that starts in the face and neck and spreads throughout the body. They can last anywhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.
If you’re experiencing hot flashes, it can be a good idea to dress in layers so that you can quickly cool yourself down if you need to.
Mood changes
Any significant changes to your hormones can impact your mood, and during menopause your body’s levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, meaning that you might feel out of sync. You may also experience brain fog.
Many women experience increased levels of anxiety and stress due to the changes in their body, and this can also manifest into feelings of irritability and anger, impacting other areas of their life, including their libido.
Skin, hair and bones
During menopause, women may experience a thinning of their hair and skin. You’ll also loose bone density when experiencing the menopause. Women are more likely to experience osteoporosis following menopause.
How Can Royal Oak Health Help?
Here at Royal Oak Health, we have over 25 years of experience producing high-quality nutritional supplements. We also have a product range specifically designed for women’s health.
Our Adrenal & Cortisol supplements contain Ashwagandha and KSM66 for reducing the feelings of brain fog, boosting mood, improving sleep quality and suppressing fatigue.
Vitamin D is essential for women going through menopause. Not only does it help promote a healthier menopause, boost mood and cognitive function, but it can help maintain strong and healthy bones.
Our Relaxing and Focus formula can help you to get a better night sleep during menopause. Our unique blend of Ashwagandha, Vitamin B and Herbal Complex Improving your cognitive function, enhance your memory and focus and can help relieve chronic stress.
