As we step on the Menopause ‘Train’ we often have no idea what lies ahead on the journey, no idea how long the journey will last, or any idea of what signs we may encounter on the way. That was certainly the case when I stepped on the train back in early 2016. If I knew then what the journey ahead would entail I would certainly have pulled the emergency cord (sod the fine!), demanded I got off right there and then and huffed my way back to the station!
Now that I have reached the wisdom years, I can look back on the journey with a new perspective. With the knowledge and insight gained on the journey I’m now here to act as the ‘tour’ guide I wish I’d had on the train with me. So, as your guide, let me take you on a tour of the phases of Menopause.
As we travel the Menopause journey, there are 3 main recognised phases that we will go through. These are:
Peri-Menopause
Peri-Menopause is the lead-up to Menopause and typically begins when we are in our 40s and can typically last 2-6 years. During this phase our 3 main female hormones, oestrogen, progesterone & testosterone, start to drop and the signs of Menopause (see previous blog) begin to appear. It is during this phase that periods can become erratic and heavier and hot flushes & night sweats begin. During this phase we can start to feel different and not quite ourselves.
Some women can sail through this phase with little on no signs encountered, however 1 in 10 women will find this a chaotic time and feel the need to give up work because they cannot cope.
The common signs seen on this part of the journey include hot flushes, night sweats, loss of libido, brain fog, weight gain, thinning hair, dry skin, increased anxiety & depression.
The Peri-Menopause phase is the time to start tuning into ourselves and empowering ourselves to make the decisions that are right for us and to help us through this part of the transition.
Menopause
Menopause comes from the Greek words ‘meno’ meaning ‘month’ and ‘pause’ meaning ‘cease’. Menopause is medically categorised as when we have had our last period ever. It is only accepted that we have passed Menopause when our periods have stopped for one year. This generally happens between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average being 51. The Menopause is actually a point in time, as after this we then enter the Post Menopausal stage.
Post-Menopause
Post-Menopause is when we have been without a period for over a year. We will then remain Post-Menopausal until the end of our days. Though the signs of Menopause may have eased or stopped for some women, for some women the signs can go on for quite some time in this stage (this was the case on my journey as my Menopause moment in time was back in April 2017).
Even though we are now past the Peri-Menopause and Menopause phases of the journey it is still important to stay in tune with ourselves, due to the reduced levels of hormones and the affects this has on the body. This phase offers us new opportunities to take care of our bodies, minds & souls. The world is our oyster as we enter the wisdom years.
Understanding the 3 phases of the Menopause helps us to establish where we are on our own unique journey. If you are on your Menopause Journey, see if you recognise where you are on the journey.
The above are the medically recognised phases of the Menopause journey, but we need to remember
Menopause is not a disease, it is a rite of passage.
And just like the transformation a dragonfly goes through to become a beautiful dragonfly, we go through our own rite of passage to our beautiful wisdom years, which from experience can take us through the following phases
Resistance – This is the denial phase, where we try to fend off what is happening to us rather than going with the flow
Initiation – This is when we start to change and can be a turbulent time
Transformation – This is when we go into our ‘cocoon’ and go inward as our bodies and us change
Evolution – This is when we evolve to emerge & blossom in our glorious new form
As with any transformation not all of the phases we go through are going to be easy, but with the right help, support and understanding we can make them easier.
Next time, I discuss how stress can have a major impact on our Menopause Journeys and give some tips on how to manage stress.
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