Going through perimenopause, the menopausal transition colloquially referred to as “menopause,” without symptoms is the equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack: practically unheard of. Yet, that does not mean it is impossible.
Continue reading to read all about menopause without symptoms, including how it is possible to have no symptoms of menopause, how to confirm you have actually entered the life stage, and much more.
It is Possible to Have No Menopause Symptoms?
Each woman's hormonal health is unique to her, from her premenopausal to her postmenopausal years.
As such, while it is common for many middle-aged women to suffer from a plethora of menopause symptoms, the most common being hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and irritability, this is not always the case.
As a matter of fact, irregular periods - in the wake of no other menopause symptoms - may be the only indicator for a woman that she is passing through perimenopause. Ninety percent of women have irregular periods leading up to menopause.1
Lack of menopause symptoms could be attributed to living an endocrine-friendly lifestyle, including a healthy diet composed of plant-based lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats; regular exercise combining aerobic and strength-training; and wholesome habits that include stress-relief and quitting addictions.
With these measures put in place, women can normalize hormone levels and soothe the onset of any menopause symptoms provoked by drastic hormonal fluctuations.
Moreover, keep in mind that not all women who experience abnormal menstrual changes, such as a lack of periods for several months, have actually entered perimenopause.
Secondary amenorrhea - the absence of a monthly period independent of changes in organs, glands, and hormones related to menstruation - can be caused by stress, poor nutrition, thyroid disorders, obesity, over-exercising, certain medications, depression, and many more.
Without Menopause Symptoms, How Can I Confirm?
Perimenopause is diagnosed by considering various factors: symptoms, age, and menstrual pattern.
Taking a menopause diagnostic test will help a doctor confirm that women are, indeed, in perimenopause and about to end their fertile years. Among the options are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) tests.
Furthermore, in order to track menstrual patterns, women are encouraged to keep a journal of any menstrual irregularities and other symptoms possibly observed.
Conclusions
Even though menopause is a taxing time for the majority of women, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, especially since having no menopause symptoms is not as far-fetched as many think. By pursuing menopause symptoms treatments focused on aforementioned lifestyle changes alongside the use of alternative medicine, women can nourish their bodies for optimal functioning and tip-top reproductive health far into their postmenopausal years.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. (2014). Amenorrhea | Ask the Expert: Menopause, Ready or Not? Retrieved October 1, 2019, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3924-amenorrhea | https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/transcripts/thacker_menopause_transcript
- National Institute on Aging. (2017). What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause? Retrieved October 1, 2019, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-and-symptoms-menopause
Footnotes:
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2017). Dealing with the symptoms of menopause. Retrieved October 1, 2019, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dealing-with-the-symptoms-of-menopause