Midlife discomforts can plague women's lives for years, leaving them wondering exactly how long can menopause symptoms last before finding any relief. Luckily, symptoms do not usually last a lifetime, and reprieve isn't too far out of reach.
Continue reading to learn about how long menopause symptoms last and treatment options so that you can have a better knowledge of your reproductive health and better quality of life.
What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?
There are over 30 menopause symptoms, though some occur more frequently than others. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Irregular periods, which are one of the first indications that menopause has come
- Hot flashes, which happen when an estrogen deficiency deregulates hypothalamus functioning
- Night sweats, nocturnal hot flashes that can leave a woman in a sweat
- Weight gain that is caused by a slower metabolism and a redistribution of fat storage in the body
- Mood swings due to drastic estrogen fluctuations that negatively impact healthy serotonin levels
- Depression from major life stressors and hormonal imbalance
- Vaginal dryness, which is a loss of lubrication in the vagina that can make sex painful
When Do Menopause Symptoms Start?
The symptoms usually associated with menopause are actually a byproduct of the perimenopausal stage, or the years leading up to menopause. This is when estrogen and progesterone levels begin to erratically fluctuate as ovarian reproductive functions come to a halt.
Perimenopause usually starts in a woman's mid-40s, although some women can enter it as young as their early 30s (early menopause) or even as late as their 50s (late-onset menopause).
As such, a woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has been period-free for 12 consecutive months, and the average age for menopause in the United States is 51.
How Long Do Menopause Symptoms Last?
Menopause symptoms are reported to last for an average of 7.4 years with some women experiencing them for only a few months or for over a decade.
In general, women suffer from menopause symptoms up to a few years into postmenopause. However, this depends on the individual as some women report experiencing hot flashes well into their 70s and 80s.
Having said that, all postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing other serious health complications, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and they should have their hormone levels monitored for a proper treatment plan.
Recommendation
Hot flashes are not the only menopause symptom that can last numerous years if left untreated. Various natural medicines and lifestyle changes that include acupuncture and yoga are but few of the many available options. Needless to say, any form of management will work best if paired with a healthy routine. Talk to your doctor about which of the following menopause treatments is best for you.
Sources
- AARP. (2018). Menopause Symptoms Can Last Decades. Retrieved December 19, 2018, from https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2018/menopause-symptoms-can-last-decades.html
- Cleveland Clinic. (2017). Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause. Retrieved December 19, 2018, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15224-menopause-perimenopause-and-postmenopause
- Freeman, E.W. et al. (2011). Duration of Menopausal Hot Flushes and Associated Risk Factors. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 117(5), 1095-1104. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318214f0de
- NHS. (2015). Menopausal symptoms 'last longer' than previously thought | Symptoms: Menopause. Retrieved December 19, 2018, from https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/menopausal-symptoms-last-longer-than-previously-thought/ | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/