Changes in the body during menopause: how well do you know it?

Things are difficult for women. The thirties are a hormonal minefield for most women. There is a loss of equilibrium. Negative and positive emotions fluctuate often. Friends and relatives would rather spend 90% of their time away from them. The question is, "Why?" Is there no escape from the roller coaster that is the onset and progression of menopause?

The menopausal transition is referred to simply as menopause by women, many of whom are unaware that it is a multi-stage process that begins while a woman's reproductive years are winding down. Women's fertility changes with time, from their most fertile years (premenopause) to the end of their childbearing years (postmenopause).

Premenopause

Premenopause is the initial period of a woman's reproductive life when she has the best possibility of becoming pregnant.

Premenopause begins at puberty and lasts until she enters the menopausal transition in her early to mid-40s.

Female fertility is at its peak during premenopause but steadily falls with age, particularly after women reach their mid-30s. This stage has no menopausal symptoms, however, women may have minor discomforts due to hormonal changes around the time of their cycles, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or ovulation.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the start of the menopausal transition, or, as the term implies, the period "near menopause."

It may start in a woman's early to mid-40s and persist for 2 to 10 years until she reaches menopause.

During perimenopause, dramatic variations in major reproductive hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, cause typical menopausal symptoms such as irregular periods, night sweats, and mood swings, leaving women feeling insecure about their own bodies as they approach the end of their reproductive years.

Menopause

Menopause is described as the end of a woman's reproductive years when menstrual periods have not occurred for 12 consecutive months.

Menopause occurs as a result of age, when the ovarian egg supply naturally depletes, resulting in the cessation of reproductive hormone production. As a consequence, a woman's menstruation ceases, and she is unable to get pregnant. Menopause occurs at an average age of 51, however, women might experience it at any age between 45 and 55.

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the last reproductive stage that occurs following menopause.

Women enter postmenopause a year after missing their monthly periods, which usually happens in their early 50s and lasts the rest of their lives. The majority of troublesome menopausal symptoms typically diminish or disappear during postmenopause, while some women continue to struggle with vaginal dryness, sleeplessness, and urinary tract infections. Furthermore, postmenopausal women with consistently low estrogen levels are more likely to develop potentially serious health issues such as heart disease or osteoporosis.

Vitamins can help alleviate your menopause symptoms.

Here are five vitamins that help minimize the symptoms of low estrogen.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A refers to retinoids. Your liver stores retinol-preformed vitamin A. Preformed vitamin A comes from animal products, fortified meals, and supplements. Vitamin A comes from beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables. As required, your body turns beta-carotene into vitamin A. Too much-preformed vitamin A may raise bone fracture risk.

Vitamin A from beta-carotene doesn't enhance bone fracture risk. After menopause, it may protect bones. Beta carotene in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables helps you receive vitamin A.

Don't exceed 5,000 IU per day of vitamin A pills. Look for a beta-carotene supplement with at least 20% vitamin A.

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin found in many foods. It’s necessary for: bone health, DNA production, neurological function, creating red blood cells

As you become older, your body loses part of its capacity to absorb vitamin B-12, increasing your risk of deficiency. The following are symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency:

fatigue \ weakness

constipation

appetite loss

tingling and numbness in the hands and feet balance issues

depression

confusion