Are you confused about menopause-related problems and how they might affect you? Even though it’s not easy to deal with, gaining awareness about pre-menopause, post-menopause and all stages in between can help you prevent more serious ailments further down the line.
The Stages of the Transition
As shown by the Canada Drug Center, there are three main stages of menopause, although pre-menopause is also considered as a noteworthy stage by some experts. Here is a short overview of each of these transitions:
- Pre-menopause: This is when your body is at its peak of efficiency and fertility. Estrogen levels are at their highest, you have regular periods, and you can expect to get pregnant quite easily.
- The transition to peri-menopause: At this point estrogen levels start reducing, and for a period of 4-5 years (although it can be longer in some cases) you will experience irregular periods, hot flashes, bone reduction and other symptoms typical to peri-menopause.
- Menopause-related problems: At this point estrogen levels are all but depleted, and you’ve had your last period more than 12 months ago. Fertility has ended, and you may still experience common menopause-related symptoms for a while.
- Post-menopause: This is the final stage, and it can last from age 45-55 to the end of your life. It is fraught with various health risks that are covered below, including heart disease and cancer.
The Health Risks of Post-Menopause
Unlike in the case of the other stages, postmenopausal problems usually have more to do with health risks and less to do with actual symptoms you’d have to get rid of. Recent articles published in The Guardian and other notable publications speak at length about the risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular problems and osteoporosis as some of the main potential challenges.
These risks can be life-threatening, and in some cases may also be very difficult to prevent. The most common ones are breast cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and heart problems. Other forms of cancer can also be possible threats, and post-menopausal concerns may also lead to significant weight gain in some women.