A significant stage in the life of every woman; during the menopause a woman’s hormone levels decrease and their periods stop, marking the end of their reproductive years. While this phase can start earlier for some, most women go through the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 and have to manage a range of unpleasant symptoms that can have a significant impact on daily life.
Anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes, irregular periods… It’s likely you are aware of the symptoms most commonly associated with menopause, which can start years before, and carry on years after a woman’s periods stop. But did you know that an important part of managing the effects of the menopause is also having an understanding of when you are coming towards the end of it?
As hormonal health experts, at the Marion Gluck Clinic, we are committed to providing comprehensive care and information to help women navigate this stage in their lives. In this blog we will therefore highlight what signals the end of menopause so you can identify when you may need to change your approach to managing it.
Absence of Menstrual Periods for 12 Consecutive Months
The most definitive signal that you have reached the end of menopause is the absence of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. Once this is the case it means your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs, and estrogen production has declined substantially. During ‘perimenopause’(the stage prior to menopause) and into the menopause, menstrual cycles become irregular, with varying lengths and intensities. However, once you have gone a full year without a period, you are considered to be in the stage after menopause, called ‘postmenopause’.
Keeping track of your menstrual cycle during perimenopause and menopause is essential for recognising this signal that you have progressed into the ‘postmenopause’ phase.
Stabilisation of Hormone Levels
During the first stage of menopause, known as ‘perimenopause’, the ovaries start making less of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. This is what can cause you to experience unpleasant symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings as the levels of these hormones fluctuate. As you progress through menopause into postmenopause, hormone levels stabilise at a new, lower baseline. In turn, the frequency and intensity of the associated symptoms generally decreases.
Hormone level testing will confirm whether you have transitioned into the postmenopause stage. During these tests the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol in the blood are measured. A heightened level of FSH and a low level of estradiol indicate that the body is moving to postmenopausal hormone levels.
Improvement in Physical Symptoms
As explained in signal (2), the physical symptoms associated with menopause start to improve as your body adjusts to its new hormonal state. This means the hot flushes and night sweats that are prevalent during perimenopause, often become less frequent and less intense. Other symptoms such as vaginal dryness and urinary issues also tend to subside.
If you’re approaching the end of menopause you might also notice a lessening of other disruptive symptoms. An improved sleeping pattern, reduced fatigue, and more stable energy levels are all typical for a woman entering into a postmenopausal state.
Mental and Emotional Stabilisation
Alongside physical implications, the hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause can also have a significant impact on the mental health, clarity and cognitive function of many women. If you’re going through the menopause you may have noticed mood swings, anxiety, or bouts of feeling down. You may also find it harder to concentrate and don’t have mental clarity. All of these are common symptoms experienced by women during the menopause,
As you move into postmenopause and your hormone levels reach an equilibrium, it’s likely these symptoms will become less frequent and less severe. You may also feel as though you are able to mentally focus once more.
Changes in Skin, Hair, and Bone Health
Moving into postmenopause can bring its own array of physical symptoms. Due to the decline in estrogen levels you may notice a change in your skin, where it has less elasticity, is drier, is more sensitive, and wrinkles are more prominent. You may also notice a thinning of your hair and experience increased facial hair growth. As you move out of the menopause your bone density also decreases, raising the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
“Moving into the postmenopause phase can bring its own challenges. It’s imperative that you continue to monitor and take care of your hormones as if you were still going through menopause”
- Dr Jennifer Singh
Having an understanding of what is happening to your body during menopause and recognising the signals that indicate that it is coming to an end will help you smoothly transition into this new phase of your life and further problems.
At the Marion Gluck Clinic, we are dedicated to supporting women through all stages of menopause using Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Using hormones that have an identical chemical structure to the ones that your body naturally produces (which is different from the synthetic hormones that are traditionally used in hormone replacement therapy), we will put together a bespoke treatment plan to help balance your hormones and () the severity of menopause symptoms.
If you’re interested in BHRT, would like to know more about what signals the end of menopause, or you’d like an expert’s opinion on how to look after your hormones in 2024, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our friendly, specialist team is on hand to help, and we can book you into a consultation straight away.
