{"id":34689,"date":"2022-03-07T15:12:36","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T22:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/?p=34689"},"modified":"2022-03-07T15:12:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T22:12:36","slug":"everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/conditions-and-wellness\/womens-health\/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You\u2019ve Ever Wanted to Know About Menopause"},"content":{"rendered":"

To many, it signals the end of the reproductive era. To some, it ushers in newfound freedom that liberates them from cramps, bleeding, and contraception. But for most women who are just beginning to feel the effects of the change of life, menopause can be downright mystifying \u2014 but it doesn\u2019t have to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Menopause Transition<\/h2>\n

A <\/span>2021 State of Menopause survey<\/span><\/a> of 1,039 U.S. women ages 40 to 65 by Bonafide revealed that nearly half of women (45%) didn\u2019t know the distinction between perimenopause and menopause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Menopause is defined as the cessation of ovarian function for at least 12 months \u2014 or, in laymen\u2019s terms, no periods for a full year. According to the <\/span>National Institute on Aging<\/span><\/a>, menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 to 55 and lasts about seven years (though it can be as long as 14).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since it is a transition, there are two other important timeframes leading up to menopause that every woman should know about:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Premenopause:<\/b> when you have no symptoms of perimenopause or menopause<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Perimenopause: <\/b>when you become symptomatic, due to a drop in estrogen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Perimenopause lasts for two to eight years, on average, says board-certified OB\/GYN and menopause expert, Dr. JoAnn Richichi, DO, of <\/span>Axia Women\u2019s Health<\/span><\/a>. And in the United States, the <\/span>average age of menopause<\/span><\/a> is 51. Of course, every woman\u2019s timeline is different (read: You won\u2019t necessarily follow these norms, and you might not even follow the same pattern as your mother or sisters).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Health Risks Associated With Menopause<\/h2>\n

    Even though menopause affects your reproductive system, that\u2019s not the only area it impacts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cSince hormones control every organ and every bodily function, as they become depleted, so do we,\u201d says Dr. Richichi. \u201cThat decrease in hormones can decrease our overall sense of wellbeing and render us at risk for metabolic compromise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span>She explains that as we age, we are at risk of developing high blood pressure, cardiac disease, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. \u201cWhile diet, weight management, and exercise are extremely important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, treatments like bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can also help restore the natural hormone levels and decrease the instance of adverse metabolic conditions,\u201d Dr. Richichi says. \u201cThe goal with this unique anti-aging modality is to optimize us and make us feel like we once did in our 30s and 40s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Common Menopause Symptoms<\/h2>\n

    While all the following signs <\/span>could<\/span><\/i> be attributed to any number of health conditions (which is why it\u2019s always wise to consult your physician), they are also often associated with menopause:<\/span><\/p>\n