Perimenopause and Post-Menopause Symptoms Primer

Every woman you know is going to go through menopause someday.  Basically, menopause

is the tampon-free time in a woman’s life. Sounds breezy, right? Who wouldn’t want to live

without her period? Well, the transition from the tampon-wearing time in your life to the tampon-free time can get quite rocky and extremely challenging.

The Process Begins with Perimenopause

Perimenopause generally lasts from six to ten years – a time that is often filled with all sorts of not-so-fun symptoms that we typically associate with the word “menopause” (more on that below). When you have been without a period or any breakthrough bleeding (not even a drop!) for 12 consecutive months, you have graduated to menopause. Sorry, there is no official cap-and-gown ceremony for this graduation. After this… you begin your journey into post-menopause.

Unfortunately, the term menopause is often used to describe the perimenopausal stage and/or the postmenopausal stage. The important thing to understand is that menopause, generally speaking, is a process, and each woman’s experience is unique.

When Does Menopause Begin?

Perhaps the most common myth about menopause is that it occurs when you’re old. That is so NOT TRUE! Most women first begin to experience perimenopause in their early to mid-forties. Some women begin to have symptoms in their thirties, which can result in premature menopause or early menopause. Keep in mind that these are relative terms. Everyone is different, and there are many factors that contribute to menopausal timing, including genetics, medical conditions, and surgical history (women who undergo a hysterectomy traditionally jump right into menopause). The average age of menopause is 51.

Menopause Symptoms

There are many symptoms typically associated with perimenopause and menopause. Each woman may experience one or many of these to different degrees. Some breeze through perimenopause and menopause with few symptoms, while others deal with a tremendous number of challenges. Be sure to use my free Menopause Symptoms Chart to keep track of your symptoms and help you effectively communicate with your menopause specialist about how you feel.

I find it helpful to break down the symptoms into physical symptoms and cognitive-psychological ones.

• Physical Symptoms
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Low energy
• Exhaustion
• PMS-like bloating
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Sore/swollen breasts
• Hair loss
• Facial hair
• Dry skin
• Acne (Yes, acne. Again? Really?)

But wait, there’s more!

• Musculoskeletal disorders such as frozen shoulder
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Urinary incontinence
• Numbness/tingling
• Tendonitis
• Vertigo
• Loss of muscle mass
• Migraines
• Stiffness
• Muscle and joint pain
• Heart palpitations
• Deepening voice
• Tinnitus
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness (which can lead to painful sex)

Cognitive-Psychological Symptoms

• Brain fog
• Memory loss
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of libido
• And… the desire to set perky people on fire with your eyes. (I may or may not have
• added that last one based solely on personal experience.)

Yes, it’s quite a list, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Keeping track of your symptoms, educating yourself, and seeking the right medical advice can make all the difference. For more empowering information and practical tools to navigate menopause with confidence, take my Fearless Vagina™ Menopause Course.

You’ve got this!