Health – Early Menopause
What could be the meaning behind waking up in a sweat, and having irregular and heavy periods when you’re under 40?
Most women know that their periods will, eventually, cease and their reproductive years come to an end. This is known as menopause. “Menopause is usually confirmed when a woman hasn’t had her period for 12 months in a row,” says Dr Lerato Masemola of the Thari Health Excellence.
You may enter menopause early if there’s a family history of such, are a smoker, had a hysterectomy (removing your womb), oorphorectomy (removal of ovaries) or have undergone cancer treatment.
But before that, there is a transitional period – known as perimenopause (which means “around” menopause) – when a woman’s body produces less oestrogen and progesterone. It’s also the marker for the end of her childbearing years because the ovaries stop releasing eggs.
WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?
The start of perimenopause differs for each woman, but usually begins in her 40s or even 30s and, according to Masemola, can last between one to 10 years. One woman’s period may come to a halt without warning, and for another, it may be a journey of erratic menstruation cycles.
Experts generally agree that it begins with irregular menstrual cycles — courtesy of declining ovarian function. The symptoms and time frame of this transition in a woman’s life vary.
Fortunately, there’s more research available on this time period, which means the options for treating some of its tougher symptoms have increased. Clinical studies suggest that depressive symptoms are more frequently reported. “Perimenopause is a period of vulnerability for the development of depressive symptoms,” Nematswerani says.“It’s important to note that perimenopause coincides with multiple other life stressors that adversely affect a woman’s mood. These include caring for children and ageing parents, and increasing job demands, while some also go through the experience of children leaving home,” Nematswerani adds.
MANAGE THE SYMPTOMS
While you can’t really avoid or stop menopause, it’s vital to learn how to manage the symptoms.
During the transitional period, you will learn what your body can handle and what triggers the various symptoms that accompany this stage of your life.
You can use self-calming skills such as yoga, meditation or slow, deep breathing, to deal with anxiety and irritability. Prescribed medications, as well as creative outlets like art, writing or pottery, can help you towards a manageable transition.
If you struggle to cope with the mental effects of the early body changes, speaking to a therapist about feelings, fears and experiences may help. Speaking to others who went through the same phase, is also very useful. It’s comforting to know that you’re not alone, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.