Changes, changes, changes…
Whether we like it or not, every body changes with age. We can be offended by life and stamp our feet, but unfortunately this process cannot be avoided. It looks different for everyone, but the first symptoms of maturity usually look similar. Wrinkles appear, single gray hairs appear, and even just looking at chocolate makes your love handles start to come out on their own. 🤭 Changes do not bypass the interior of the body either. People over 40 are more likely to experience menstrual disorders , because menstruation evolves with age. Irregular periods and heavy bleeding occur. For some people, the situation is completely the opposite - they struggle with the problem of amenorrhea.
What happens in the body after the age of 40?
All these changes in the body are primarily due to sex hormone disorders . Even before the age of 40, there is a sudden deterioration in the functioning of the ovaries, and the body slowly begins to prepare for the period of menopause. You can learn more about menopause from our article 👉 " Menopause - a curse or a second life? ".
This time is called perimenopause or premenopause and precedes the target period of menopause. There is a certain number of primary follicles in the ovaries, which decreases over the years. The ovarian reserve (AMH) and the concentration of estrogens and progesterone decrease at that time, while the level of tropic hormones (LH and FSH) increases. Unfortunately, these changes negatively affect the general well-being and functioning of the body. They usually occur before the age of 45, which is visible in the graph below. You can observe the moment when the level of hormones decreases rapidly and then slowly stabilizes - on average around the age of 55.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15224-menopause-perimenopause-and-postmenopause
First symptoms of menopause
The same relationship applies to the intensity of symptoms. They begin around the age of 45 and end only after menopause. Symptoms can be bothersome, but we must not forget that each of us is different. For some, they will be more bothersome, and for others - less. They can also appear at a different time in each person. What symptoms appear most often?
- Menstrual irregularities – periods may be irregular, and bleeding – scanty or heavy. Sometimes there is also a complete absence of menstruation or troublesome spotting.
- Mood swings – irritability, bad mood often occur, and in more severe cases depression may occur. Remember, do not ignore your bad mood. If you feel the need, go to a psychologist.
- Weight changes – middle-aged people often struggle with a slower metabolism and troublesome weight changes. It becomes more difficult to maintain a consistent clothing size, and losing extra pounds is no longer as easy as it was in youth.
- Hot flashes – are particularly troublesome at night. This can also lead to heart palpitations and night sweats. This leads to insomnia, headaches, impaired concentration and memory.
- Intimate infections – vaginal moisture changes, which can cause intimate infections, urinary tract infections, and vaginal atrophy. A common effect is a decrease in libido and aversion to sexual activity.
Menstrual disorders
Menstrual disorders are one of the first problems after the age of forty. Irregular periods can be particularly troublesome because they are difficult to predict and you don't know when they will come. However, it is worth remembering that there is always a chance to get pregnant. If your period has not come on the expected date - take a pregnancy test, which can quickly dispel any doubts and explain the lack of menstruation.
Too frequent periods
Menstruation should occur at regular intervals. However, many people struggle with increased menstrual frequency during this period of their lives. In addition, they are sometimes too heavy. But what does it mean: too frequent menstruation? After all, it is a relative concept! Well, not exactly. If in your case, your period occurs more often than every 21 days - something is probably wrong with your body. But don't panic, make an appointment with a doctor who will examine the problem.
No period after forty
It is not said that the only disorder is too frequent periods. Sometimes it is quite the opposite and the absence of a period is bothersome. The absence of menstruation or even a temporary cessation of menstruation after the age of 40 may be associated with negative changes in the body. It is worth investigating.
Ways to relieve annoying symptoms
Troublesome symptoms can make life very difficult. That is why you should not suffer with them, but visit a gynecologist in time. He should order the necessary tests and then suggest the optimal method of treatment. A popular way to deal with this type of ailment is to introduce hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Thanks to it, you can increase the level of hormones, and thus help to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. However, it is worth remembering that such treatment will not work for everyone. There are contraindications to HRT, which are worth discussing with your doctor. In special cases, cervical cancer may occur (it depends on the HPV virus). Contraception, on the other hand, has a preventive effect on malignant ovarian tumors, and it is also used to treat ovarian cysts and cervical fibroids.
Symptom relief? Naturally!
In addition, it is good to consider natural methods and changing your current lifestyle. It may be helpful to introduce regular exercise, appropriate to your condition, change your diet to a lighter and healthier one, and drink the right amount of water. An important issue is getting enough sleep (the optimal sleep time is on average 8 hours) and going to bed at regular times. In addition, you should not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. It is worth drinking red clover tea. You should also avoid stress and relax more often - yoga or meditation can help with this. 🧘♀️
Read also the article:Menopause Diet – Menopause from the Inside .
Well-being during menopause
How long does a 40-year-old's period last? As you can see, this is a very difficult question to answer. It is generally accepted that a menstrual cycle should last about 28 days. If you are over forty, this is no longer certain. Monitor your body and if you have any doubts, see a doctor. But remember, don't worry in advance! Enjoy life and make the most of it, and no disorder will be scary to you. ❤️
Created at: 06/08/2022
Updated at: 15/08/2022
