HEALTH + WELLNESS
Let ’ s Talk About the
MENOPAUSE
WHY ? BECAUSE 13 MILLION WOMEN IN THE UK ARE EITHER PERI- OR POST-MENOPAUSAL AND YET DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BIG M HAS BECOME TABOO ; AKIN TO TALKING ABOUT SEX , OR MONEY , BOTH OF WHICH WE AS A NATION SEEM TO SQUIRM AT THE MERE MENTION OF . IT ’ S TIME TO STOP THE SILENCE THOUGH – MENOPAUSE IS AN UNAVOIDABLE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS THAT NORMALLY TAKES PLACE IN WOMEN AFTER THE AGE OF 40 , BUT MORE USUALLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 44 AND 55 . SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE HOT FLUSHES , NIGHT SWEATS , INSOMNIA , REDUCED LIBIDO , VAGINAL DRYNESS , HEADACHES , LOW MOODS , PALPITATIONS AND ANXIETY ; THE MENOPAUSE IS CERTAINLY NOT FUN , BUT IT DOESN ’ T HAVE TO BE INTOLERABLE .
No matter what Mother Nature has in store for you , it ’ s far better to be prepared for what might come instead of burying your head in the sand in the hope that it passes quickly and painlessly . We got the lowdown from Dr Shirin Lakhani , GP , fully trained aesthetic physician and founder of Elite Aesthetics in Gravesend .
Think you ’ re approaching menopause ? Early symptoms can help you decipher your body ’ s signals that ‘ the change ’ is on its way . However , early symptoms of menopause can be subtle and easily confused with other changes in your body so being aware of your cycle can help spot any changes . Your body will start readying itself for menopause , so you will start to see and feel some changes . If you are attuned to your body and your monthly cycle , it will make it easier to pick up on hormone shifts and early symptoms which can include the following :
Irregular periods
Irregular periods are one of the most common signs that your hormones are lowering . However , those changes are unpredictable . Some women find that they can go months without a period , while others find that they menstruate more frequently . It ’ s not just timing that can be altered , your flow can differ too . You may have an unusually light flow over just a couple of days or you may experience heavy periods .
Acne
Much like puberty can make you break out in spots , so can menopause . Adult acne is very common in perimenopausal women , with spots appearing on the forehead , chin and chest .
Mood changes
It ’ s no surprise that with all that ’ s going on with your body , your temperament will be affected too . You may find that you feel more anxious , you ’ re quickly frustrated or that you feel more emotional . Studies show that 23 % of women said they felt increased stress , worry , nervousness and anxiety during perimenopause and menopause .
Poor concentration
You may joke about ‘ senile moments ’ when you misplace your phone or glasses , but there is another culprit – perimenopause ! It ’ s thought that up to 60 % of women with menopause early symptoms list forgetfulness and brain fog as one of them . It ’ s thought that your fluctuating levels of oestrogen and testosterone can affect your cognition .
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