As of: February 24, 2024, 4:06 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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Many middle-aged women are afraid of the hormonal changes and possible severe symptoms.
The first symptoms appear early.
The phase in a woman's life in which she comes into "change" is a natural process, and yet feared by many.
Girls or young women often experience the side effects of menopause, so-called climacteric symptoms, through their own mother, who openly complains about the sometimes very unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep disorders.
Menopause usually begins between the ages of 40 and 45, and in some cases even earlier.
However, some women at or over 40 can still become pregnant.
It can help some people better prepare for menopause if they know what happens in their bodies and what symptoms become apparent early on.
Menopause: What happens in the body?
Sleep disorders and restless sleep with bouts of heat are among the early signs of premenopause, the phase of the beginning of menopause.
© amenic181/Imago
Menopause in women (climacteric) begins more than ten years before the last menstrual period and only ends a long time later.
This phase of life is the gradual transition from fertility - that is, the age at which a woman can become pregnant naturally - to a hormonal state that essentially makes natural pregnancy impossible.
As a result of the "change", the ovaries produce fewer and fewer sex hormones - first there is a decrease in progesterone in the blood, then later the estrogen concentration also drops noticeably.
Female cycles become increasingly irregular and shorter or longer, monthly ovulation occurs less and less, so fertility decreases.
The menstrual periods become more irregular and eventually stop altogether.
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Doctors speak of the so-called menopause as soon as the very last menstrual period occurs.
At this point, women are on average around 52 years old.
There are also cases where periods stop at age 45 or earlier.
Some people actually only experience menopause in their mid-50s. It usually takes around five to seven years until the hormonal change is complete.
Women who stop bleeding before the age of 40 experience early menopause.
This can be the case, for example, due to thyroid diseases, according to the
Thyroid Forum
, or therapies such as cancer.
In any case, women should discuss this with their treating gynecologist.
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What phases of menopause women go through
Menopause: time of the very last menstrual period (menstruation), provided that the uterus has not been removed and no hormone preparations are used.
Menopause can only be determined retrospectively, as no bleeding should have occurred at least twelve months beforehand.
Premenopause: Period of menopause before menopause
Perimenopause: One year before to one year after menopause
Postmenopause: Period of menopause, at least twelve months after menopause.
Postmenopause usually lasts several years
Source: Pharmacy Survey
Symptoms of menopause begin gradually: premenopause occurs years before menopause
In most cases, the female body begins the transition into the infertile phase of life from the age of 40.
The production of progesterone and estrogen is gradually reduced.
The first signs associated with this are:
Increased irritability
Mood swings and even depressive phases
Insomnia or restless sleep
Difficulty concentrating
Thyroid disease, the risk of which is particularly high during menopause
anxiety
Migraine attacks
Feeling of tension in the chest
Increases water retention
Weight gain
Joint pain
Heat attacks
Skin problems such as dry skin
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.