In 2020, the world endured an unprecedented event: COVID-19. It seemed as though the world just… stopped. Stay-at-home mandates prevented human interaction in an effort to manage the spread of this unknown virus. Older people feared the consequences of this virus as public and medical health professionals concluded its detrimental effects on older age groups. Younger people had their life put on pause as graduations were canceled and classes moved online. The world as we knew it then ceased to exist.
Public health professionals began to share symptoms to be on the lookout for in the hopes that if people knew what symptoms were associated with COVID-19, they’d be able to isolate themselves from others and receive the necessary treatment quicker.
That thought process seems to be effective for more than just COVID-19. 1.3 million women in the United States enter menopause every year. Yet, so many women are unaware of what they’re undergoing. Menopause struggles to remove itself from the societal stigmatization surrounding it. It is often categorized as something as minimal as hot flashes or missing periods, when in reality there are so many other symptoms to indicate the transition.
“One common misconception about menopause is the belief that hot flashes are always the first symptom to signal the transition. In truth, it is more often a change in your menstrual cycle – whether it’s missed periods, heavier or lighter flows, or erratic timing – that tend to be the earliest indication that menopause is nearing,” shares Amy Beckley, Ph.D and CEO at Proov.
When it comes to health, awareness is empowerment. It is key to ensuring a woman can manage her condition with as much ease and comfort as possible. Understanding the common symptoms of menopause can help women identify this phase in their life sooner.For example, many women remain in the dark about perimenopause, which is the transitional period before menopause when symptoms first start appearing. Perimenopause can begin in your early 40s, and in some cases, even in your late 30s. Recognizing that these changes are not isolated occurrences but part of a larger process can make a world of difference.
Menopause has a wide variety of symptoms including mood swings, sleep disturbance, and fluctuations in weight. Many of these symptoms seem unconcerning at first. For example, take the symptom of fatigue. If you are unaware of its connection to menopause, you might attribute it to stress, poor nutrition, or a range of other lifestyle factors. But recognizing that fatigue – combined with other menopausal symptoms such as the ones mentioned by Beckley of irregular periods and hot flashes – is part of the menopausal process allows you to respond holistically. Instead of wondering why you feel off, you have the knowledge to adapt.
“Every woman is different and thus, menopause affects everyone differently. Hot flashes and night sweats are still symptoms of menopause that many women endure. Some other initial signs may be trouble sleeping, difficulty focusing, anxiety and agitation, weight changes, and overall exhaustion. These signs are common for a lot of issues, including regular stress; which means a lot of women may dismiss these feelings. But, it is important to pay attention to our bodies and what they are telling us.”
Similar to most health conditions, menopause is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It varies depending on the woman it is affecting. Some women experience more hot flashes and night sweats while others find themselves in a constant battle with the number on the scale.
Recognizing the symptoms of menopause can make the experience of women finding healing treatments much easier and accessible. There’s no cure for menopause, but there are ways to mitigate its effects, and the sooner you recognize the symptoms, the sooner you can make these adjustments.