Although menopause is a universal experience among almost all women, the symptoms and duration can be a complete mystery to many people. Even more, it’s easy to feel alone when you have to navigate through such major changes.
Understanding what signals the end of menopause will help you get a better handle on the changes your body is experiencing and find out when to seek gynecology care to discuss your symptoms.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the end of menopause and what key symptoms signal its arrival.
Overview of Menopause
Menopause occurs once you’ve had 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Typically menopause occurs around age 52 and is a natural process that happens once the ovaries stop making reproductive hormones.
Sometimes menopause can occur due to illness, surgery, and medical treatment which can induce menopause early.
Menopause is a gradual process and happens in three stages. The perimenopause stage can begin ten or more years before the actual menopause starts. This is because the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen over time.
The next stage is actual menopause, which is more of a single moment occurring once you’ve been without a menstrual period for 12 months. As your menopause symptoms ease up, you enter into post-menopause. You may continue to have mild symptoms for several years and your risk of developing conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis increases due to lower estrogen levels.
Menopause Symptoms
The most common menopause symptoms include hot flashes and irregular periods. Hormones during menopause can also cause other symptoms like:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Cold flashes
- Night sweats
- Emotional changes like irritability
- Vaginal dryness
- Urinary urgency
- Weight gain
What Signals the End of Menopause?
The final stage of menopause, known as post-menopause, marks the end of menopause symptoms and the beginning of a menopause transition, taking you into the next phase of life.
Post-menopause indicators include hot flashes becoming much milder and even resolving completely once you reach post-menopause. Overall, you’ll start to feel better, sleep better, and notice improvements in energy levels and mood.
However, if you’re in post-menopause and your symptoms continue to linger for more than a year or so, it’s a good idea to check in with a doctor specializing in women’s health to have a physical assessment and hormone level check.
You should also schedule regular health checkups, so you can keep track of elevated risk factors to learn more about preventing conditions like osteoporosis and maintaining heart health.
Make an Appointment to Talk About Menopause Today
Now that you know what signals the end of menopause, you’ll be more comfortable with the process overall.
Your next step is finding support during menopause by turning to professionals at Women’s Health Associates. We provide a unique and comfortable space for women to address a range of conditions, from pregnancy and menopause to other reproductive concerns and conditions like anxiety.
We provide healthcare for women, by women, in the Boise and Meridian areas and look forward to becoming a part of your healthcare team. Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment!
