Menopausal Symptoms and How to Work Out What Is Actually Going On
Menopause is like that uninvited guest who turns up at your house, throws the cushions on the floor, eats all your snacks, and then just sits there smirking while you try to figure out what’s going on. It brings with it a wide range of possible symptoms, but let’s be honest—sometimes it feels like it brings all of them at once.
However, not every weird thing happening to your body is necessarily menopause’s fault (tempting as it is to blame it for everything from missing car keys to sudden road rage). So, how do you tell what’s really going on? Let’s dive in.
Understanding the Stages of Menopause (A.K.A. The Joyride Through Hormonal Chaos)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines the different stages of menopause, which is helpful to understand more about the journey you may be on or about to embark on.
Premature Menopause: When menopause crashes the party before the age of 40, often for medical, autoimmune, or genetic reasons. Full medical assessments are needed because this isn’t just an early exit; it’s a whole different ball game. One classification of premature menopause is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), which requires specialist management.
Early Menopause: When things start shutting down between ages 40 and 45. This can be natural or triggered by medical interventions, and it carries additional risks for bones and heart health. Because, you know, menopause likes to multitask.
Perimenopause: The transition where hormones are on a roller coaster and so are your moods, body temperature, and ability to remember why you walked into a room. Often, periods can shorten before they lengthen out again.
Menopause: Officially, when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. Congratulations, you made it! But don’t pop the champagne yet—symptoms can keep going.
Postmenopause: The years after menopause, where symptoms may continue but at least you no longer have to worry about surprise periods. Though the hot flushes might stick around just to keep things interesting.
Tracking Symptoms: Tools to Keep You (Mostly) Sane
Menopause symptoms are like a poorly-behaved toddler—loud, unpredictable, and constantly demanding attention. But tracking them can help you regain some control and, crucially, prove to your doctor (and maybe your family) that you’re not just making this up.
Keeping track of symptoms over time can also help you see if they’re improving (or if you need to have a serious word with your hormones). It can be reassuring to know that, yes, the night sweats really have been getting worse, and no, you’re not just imagining that your memory is turning into Swiss cheese.
There are online symptom tracks in apps out there, or ones clinicans sometime use are the Greene Climateric Scale or the MENQUOL questionnaire or a good old old fashioned diary and pen and paper!
Symptoms to look out for-
Is It Really Menopause? Or Something Else Sneaking in for Fun?
Not every symptom in midlife is menopause’s fault, as much as we’d love a single culprit to glare at. Before blaming menopause, consider:
Age and Family History: The average age of menopause in the UK is 51, but if your mother or sisters had early menopause, it might be your turn sooner than expected.
Other Medical Conditions: Thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, and stress (remember that thing called life?) can mimic menopause symptoms. Feeling exhausted and foggy? That could be low iron, low B12, or just a sign that you need a nap and a holiday.
POI Considerations: If you’re in your 30s and experiencing menopausal symptoms, a full investigation is needed. POI is a different beast and requires thorough testing. No, it’s not just stress, and yes, you should push for proper tests if you think something isn’t right.
Lifestyle Factors: Poor sleep, too much wine (or not enough?), and certain medications can make you feel like menopause has arrived early. This has more of an impact than most of us think…but more on that later.
Past Psychological Issues
Consider your starting point. Some mental health challenges can worsen with the hormonal shifts of menopause. Take a moment to think about any existing concerns or patterns you’ve carried with you before reaching this stage.
Reflect on Fatigue: Have you always felt tired, and is it now becoming more pronounced in your 40s? Recognizing what has changed—and what may have been present all along—can offer valuable insights. Also, recognize how life has changed—young children and careers to juggle or perhaps elderly parents in the mix, too?
Psychological Interplay: Remember that past or ongoing emotional issues can be just as influential as physical factors when it comes to menopausal symptoms. They often work together in complex ways.
Not every symptom is menopause. There isn’t a single “magic bullet” that explains or resolves everything. Some issues might be new, while others are longstanding but now intensified by hormonal changes. Be open to the possibility that there could be additional factors involved.
Putting it all together: understanding how psychological, physical, and hormonal elements interact is essential to overall well-being. It’s not about dismissing symptoms; it’s about having open, informed discussions that empower you to live your healthiest, most fulfilling life.
Seeking Professional Advice (AKA, Help Me, I’m Melting)
If symptoms are making life miserable, unpredictable, or just plain weird, it’s time to talk to a professional. Blood tests aren’t always reliable in perimenopause, especially over the age of 45yrs (because hormones love chaos), but they can be useful in diagnosing early menopause or POI. NICE recommends not routinely using blood tests above the age of 45yrs for diagnosis (although in some circumstances it is possible) so if your doctor does say no there usually is a good reason for it.
A good doctor will take a full history, consider all possibilities, and help you make an informed decision about treatment options. And yes, there are treatments! From lifestyle tweaks to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), there are ways to make this whole process less of a train wreck.
Managing Menopause: Because You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again
Well-being during menopause is like a jigsaw puzzle where half the pieces are missing, the other half are upside down, and someone keeps moving the table. But with the right approach—tracking symptoms, making lifestyle tweaks, and considering treatment options—you can start putting the picture back together.
Once you’ve figured out that menopause is indeed the culprit, the next step is figuring out how to make it more manageable. A few things to consider:
Lifestyle Adjustments: Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods can help with hot flushes. (I know, I know—why must the good things in life cause problems?)
Exercise: Helps with everything from mood swings to sleep issues to bone health. And yes, walking from the fridge to the sofa counts…just maybe not as much as we’d like
Dietary Tweaks: Eating more protein and healthy fats can help balance blood sugar and keep energy levels stable. Also, more chocolate. (Okay, I might have made that one up, but a little dark chocolate never hurt anyone.)
HRT and Other Treatments: There’s a lot of misinformation out there, but modern HRT is safer than many people think and can be life-changing for some women. If you’re struggling, it’s worth discussing with a knowledgeable doctor.
By tracking symptoms, understanding the different stages, and ruling out other causes, you can approach menopause like a detective—minus the trench coat and magnifying glass (unless that’s your thing). It’s a journey, yes, but with the right information, support, and a little bit of humor, you can navigate it with confidence.
For more evidence-based insights (and occasional humor to keep us all sane), stay tuned to this blog.
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