Telltale Signs That You’re Entering Menopause

Menopause: the end of your reproductive years. All women come to this point in their lives if they are fortunate enough to grow older. But despite knowing that we will reach this phase someday, it can be a daunting idea for many Singaporean women. So it is no surprise that some visit their gynae in Mount Elizabeth and other healthcare centres in Singapore for guidance. 

Some signs can tell us if we are approaching menopause. Let us discuss what these are and what factors determine when it can happen.

Menopause is Not a Matter of If, But When

Generally speaking, women between the ages 45 to 55 will start experiencing symptoms of menopause. There are a few factors that affect how sooner or later you enter this phase, namely: 

• Family History - If your mother, sisters, or other close relatives entered menopause early or late, you might follow the same path they did. 

• Lifestyle Choices - Certain habits also affect menopause’s timing. For instance, smoking cigarettes increases your chances of early menopause. This is because the toxins in tobacco products can damage your ovaries and disrupt your hormone levels. Meanwhile, a healthy diet and regular physical activity help keep your hormones in check. It could help you enter menopause at a later period instead. 

• Cancer Treatments and Other Medical Procedures - Did you have a recent bout with cancer around your pelvic area? Treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can damage your ovaries and cause a steep drop in oestrogen levels, which play a major role in the onset of menopause. Surgically removing the ovaries also results in immediate menopause. 

• Having PCOS - Women with polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS are more likely to experience menopause up to 4 years later than women without PCOS. This is linked to how this disorder causes ovary dysfunction and hormonal imbalance. 

How to Tell If You Are Entering Menopause 

With those factors in mind, how do we check if we are menopausal? Before you reach this stage, you go through a transitional phase called perimenopause. Let us look at its common signs here: 

• Irregular Periods - Your periods may become more frequent or you may skip cycles. Your menstrual flow may also be lighter or heavier than usual. 

• Hot Flashes and Night Sweats - These are episodes of sudden, intense body heat, that causes your skin to get flushed and sweat profusely. Some women also have heart palpitations. Hot flashes can also happen while you sleep at night, thus the term night sweats. 

• Lower Libido - Changes in your hormone levels can also reduce your sex drive as you enter this stage in life. 

• Dry Vagina - As your oestrogen levels start dropping, your vaginal walls can get thinner and drier. This can be particularly uncomfortable or even painful if you try to have sexual intercourse — which also affects your libido. Explore other potential causes of vaginal dryness:

• Physical Changes - Hormonal fluctuations can also result in bodily changes. These include fat accumulating in your waist, your hair growing thinner, and your skin becoming drier. 

• Mood Swings - All the hormonal changes you start experiencing can also make your mood unpredictable. You may find yourself growing easily irritated, anxious, or even depressed. 

• Poorer Sleep Quality - These uncomfortable symptoms can make sleep difficult to come by, especially when dealing with night sweats. 

Do Not Hesitate to Ask Your Gynae For Help

All these telltale signs seem intimidating, no? But if these symptoms start hindering your daily life, visit your gynae at their Mount Elizabeth clinic. They find ways to manage yourself as you enter menopause. 

• Gynaecologists can assess your condition and determine if it is still a normal part of the menopausal stage or if you have other health issues. 

• They may recommend treatments such as medications to manage symptoms like severe hot flashes. 

• The gynae can also advise you on healthy habits that can relieve your symptoms, such as a better diet or stress management methods. 

Learn to Embrace This New Chapter In Life

Entering menopause is a challenging period for any woman. But we can cope more healthily and have more peace of mind if we are more informed and prepared to deal with it when it comes. 

If you have any concerns about your reproductive health as you age, do not hesitate to speak with your gynae in Mount Elizabeth. Their insights and support can help you through this scary but natural part of life.