Going through the menopause is a universal experience for women, signifying a hormonal transitional process that results in the end of a woman’s reproductive function. Presenting itself with both physiological and psychological symptoms, the transition into menopause can cause bouts of mood swings, tiredness, hot flushes, night sweats, and more. In this article, we discuss the process of ending menopause, and what to expect towards the end of the transition.
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Understanding menopause terminology
There are three distinct stages of the menopause, referring to the early stages, mid stages, and end stage of menopause.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause refers to the stage when a woman is experiencing menopausal symptoms, but still has periods. You can read more about perimenopausal symptoms in our guide, What is menopause and where does it start?
Menopause
Menopause refers to the stage when a woman has not had a period, or any menstrual bleeding, for 12 months consecutively. It is also referred to as ‘reaching menopause’ and is sometimes confused with perimenopause.
Post-menopause
Post-menopause refers to the stage after a woman has reached menopause. During post-menopause, the symptoms of menopause reduce or stop completely, as your hormone levels stabilise.
Typical timeline of menopause
Typically beginning between the ages of 45 and 55, the timeline of menopause varies, and on average lasts between two to seven years. Some women experience perimenopausal symptoms for over a decade, although they typically fluctuate in intensity over this time period.
You can read our guide, How long does menopause last? to find out more information.
What are the signs that menopause is ending?
There is no definitive answer for how long it takes for menopause to end. Every individual woman will experience menopause differently, depending on various factors including genetics, lifestyle, age and general health. A woman only reaches menopause when they have not had a period for 12 months in a row. During this period it is possible to experience other symptoms associated with perimenopause, which can result in months of unpredictability.
Some of the other signs and symptoms you can look out for which can signify you are close to reaching menopause include:
- Longer intervals between periods
- Less frequent aches, pains and headaches
- An increase in frequency of hot flushes
- Vaginal dryness and in increase in UTIs
Another milestone is experiencing 60 days without bleeding; this is known as late menopausal transition and can be an indicator that you are reaching menopause.
Along with the absence of a menstrual period for 12 months in a row, other indicators may include an ease in the severity of other symptoms, such as hot flushes, sleep disturbances and mood swings.
If you have any concerns regarding your own menopausal journey, it is advised to speak to your GP or a specialist gynaecologist. Specialists will be able to offer advice and support to help you manage any symptoms or side effects.
Hormonal changes post-menopause
The absence of frequent menstrual cycles is an indicator that a woman’s oestrogen levels are decreasing. Oestrogen levels continue to drop during post-menopause and will remain low for the rest of a woman’s life. After menopause is reached, a small amount of oestrogen is produced by aromatase, an enzyme found in fatty tissues throughout the body, that converts androgen and oestrogen.
Menopause and mental health
For many women going through perimenopause, symptoms can be debilitating and arduous, affecting relationships and mental health. The fluctuating hormone levels as your body readjusts can lead to depressive episodes, low moods, anxiety and brain fog, all of which are exacerbated by the physical symptoms. This makes menopause a confusing and frustrating time for many, especially for women working or living in environments where the topic of menopause is met with stigma and a lack of understanding.
It’s important to put coping mechanisms in place, and a support network, to help alleviate and manage the disruption to both your physical and mental health.
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Mental health after menopause
Many women experience a psychological shift when they reach menopause. The post-menopausal stage can bring relief and stability after many years of irregularity that can disrupt day to day life. As a woman’s body starts to stabilise again, many of the symptoms of menopause reduce in intensity and frequency, and eventually will end.
Many women find that they feel like themselves again, and have more control over their physiological and psychological well being. It can help to alleviate these symptoms even more by doing regular exercise, eating well, and getting into a routine again.
Lifestyle adjustments for post-menopause
Due to the changes your body has gone through, it’s important for post-menopausal women to discuss post-menopause with a medical professional or specialist. There are some post-menopausal symptoms to be aware of, that can be mitigated and managed through HRT, exercises and supplements. You can read more about post-menopausal symptoms in our guide: Post-menopausal symptoms: What happens after menopause?
If you would like to talk to a professional about your menopausal symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team. Modality LLP offer specialist women’s health services for women, and can provide advice and support for your own menopausal journey.
