Supervised by a doctor│What is the sign of the end of menopause? How long will it last?

How long does menopause last?

Menopause refers to the five years before and after menopause (10 years in total). Strictly speaking, there is no fixed “from what age to what age”, and it is generally said that the average age of menopause in Japan is around 50 years old, so around 45 to 55 years old is the age of menopause.

The period from the late 30s to the mid-40s, when changes begin to appear in the body and mind in preparation for menopause, is called “pre-menopause.”

The period after menopause is called “post-menopause,” and this period corresponds to the late 50s or later, five years after menopause.

The feeling that “menopause is over” varies from person to person, but it seems that many people in their late 50s or early 60s have symptoms of menopause that subside.

In the modern era, which is said to be a 100-year life, the post-menopausal period is an important period for women, which can be called a “second life.” In order to live comfortably, it is important to know in detail about the changes occurring in your body and to respond accordingly.

[Check the meaning of words related to menopause! ]

• Menopause: Menopause is determined after one year without menstruation for more than 12 months.
• Pre-menopausal: Female hormone secretion begins to decrease, and physical and mental changes begin to appear in preparation for menopause. Late 30’s to mid 40’s
• Menopause: Refers to the 10 years before and after menopause, during which the amount of female hormone secretion drops sharply. Around 45-55 years old
• Post-menopause: The period after menopause. Late 50s or later after 5 years of menopause
• Menopausal symptoms: Symptoms that appear during menopause, such as irritability, hot flashes, dizziness, etc.
• Menopausal disorder : If the symptoms of menopause are severe and interfere with daily life, it is called menopausal disorder.

end of menopause sign

Menopause is a term that refers to the five years before and after menopause, so it is thought that “menopause is over” when about five years have passed since menopause. is.

Menopause does not necessarily mean that the menopause is over even if the symptoms of menopause or menopausal disorders disappear.

However, after five years of menopause, which is called post-menopause, after the late 50s, the symptoms of menopause basically become milder, and it is common for the body and mind to regain calmness.

The symptoms seen in menopause occur when the body cannot keep up with the rapid decrease in female hormone secretion.

As your body gradually gets used to the changes, typical symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, hot flashes, depression and irritability may subside. You may be nearing the end of menopause.

Tests can tell if you’ve gone through menopause

Although there are no clear signs that menopause is over, it is possible to find out if you have reached menopause by taking a test.

A gynecologist can tell you if you’re in menopause by having a blood test and looking at your estrogen levels and your follicle-stimulating hormone (a hormone that commands the ovaries to release estrogen).

It is also possible to predict when menopause will occur through similar tests. The exact time is not known because the numerical value changes depending on the menstrual cycle, but it can be predicted to some extent whether menopause is approaching.

Physical and mental changes after menopause

From the time of menopause, female hormones begin to decrease little by little, and after menopause, they decrease sharply, and almost no longer be secreted.

By the time the menopause ends, the body will get used to the rapid changes in menopausal female hormone secretion, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, hot flushes, abnormal sweating, and dizziness will subside. Various changes appear in the body and mind.

[body changes]

• bones become brittle
• blood vessels become fragile
• gain weight easily
• get tired easily
• Decreased skin firmness and luster
• Hair quality deteriorates, and thinning hair and gray hair begin to become a concern
• Urinary incontinence, cystitis, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, etc.

[Change of mind]

• Feeling depressed, anxious or irritable
• become brittle to tears
• unmotivated
• Increased forgetfulness, more mistakes at work, etc.

The above is an example of the physical and mental changes that occur after menopause.

Diseases to watch out for after menopause

During menopause, the amount of estrogen, the female sex hormone, drops dramatically, causing major changes in the body. When estrogen is not secreted enough and the brain cannot control hormones, the autonomic nervous system will weaken.

Menopausal symptoms are caused by these changes, but it is characterized by large individual differences in whether symptoms become severe enough to be called menopausal disorders.

The appearance of menopausal symptoms is thought to be affected by genetic factors, social factors, health conditions, health management, and susceptibility to hormonal changes.

In addition to menopausal symptoms, other mental and physical disorders may also appear. The following are diseases that you should be aware of after menopause .

• Irregular menstruation/abnormal menstruation
• Female hormone deficiency symptoms (vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, frequent urination, itchy skin and dry mouth)
• Arthritis
  , rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, autonomic imbalance, atrophic vaginitis, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, artery Sclerosis, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, diabetes, Hashimoto’s disease, dementia, etc.

Taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or taking equol supplements can rarely restore menstruation.

However, if you experience bleeding after menopause, there is a possibility that you are suffering from an illness, so it is recommended that you see a gynecologist as soon as possible to find out if there is a hidden illness.

menopausal experiences

How menopausal symptoms appear, how menopause occurs, and how menopause ends varies from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms of menopause, while others experience painful symptoms of menopause, such as menopausal depression and starting hormone replacement therapy, being unable to take time off from work due to painful menopause , feeling depressed and having a hard time with their husbands’ lack of understanding. Some people are.

Menopausal symptoms can be treated in a variety of ways, and there is a method that is suitable for each individual. If you are experiencing painful menopausal symptoms, do not hesitate to consult a gynecologist.

Mental symptoms such as anxiety can be relieved just by talking to someone.

Effective methods for improving menopausal symptoms and disorders

The following are effective ways to improve the symptoms and discomfort of menopause.

• HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
• herbal medicine
• placenta injection
• Supplement (equol)
• improvement of lifestyle

Menopausal symptoms are also affected by lifestyle, so it is a good idea to review your lifestyle first, and if it does not improve, consider other methods.

Points to comfortably spend post-menopause (after menopause)

From here, we will introduce the points to comfortably spend post-menopause (after menopause).

adjust the rhythm of life

Irregularity in the rhythm of life can exacerbate the irritability, anxiety, and depression that tend to occur during menopause. When the quality of sleep drops, the secretion of serotonin gets worse.

Serotonin, sometimes called the “happiness hormone,” is a substance that plays an important role in stabilizing the mind.

Regular wake-up time, sleep time, and meal time will help you get your rhythm in order and improve the quality of your sleep.

get moderate exercise

If you make moderate exercise a habit, you can expect the effect of suppressing the risk of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. There are many other positive effects, such as maintaining muscle mass, relieving stress, and improving the quality of sleep.

You don’t have to do hard exercise or force yourself to continue exercising for a long time. For those who have never exercised before or who are not confident in their physical strength, if they overdo it, they may actually get sick.

With the goal of continuing to make exercise a daily habit, first of all, let’s incorporate exercise that suits you.

Walking , which can be easily started , has many effects such as muscle training effect, fat burning effect, blood flow increasing effect, etc. It is a perfect exercise for maintaining health that can be continued like a walk.

Balance your diet and diet

Estrogen is a hormone involved in the metabolism of fat and energy. By reducing it, visceral fat is more likely to accumulate during menopause, making the body easier to gain weight. Continuing the same eating habits as when you were younger can lead to obesity.

Try to eat with a nutritional balance in mind. It is also recommended to actively incorporate soy products such as natto, tofu, and soy milk, which are rich in soy isoflavones, which have a molecular structure similar to estrogen.

take herbal medicine

Kampo medicine is good at improving the malfunction caused by the disturbance of female hormones.

Kampo medicines, which are recommended by the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, improve symptoms by improving blood flow and working on the autonomic nervous system to balance the mind and body.

Improving blood flow also improves digestion and absorption, which helps build a body that can withstand fatigue and stress.

Kampo medicines can be selected according to the symptoms and constitution of each person, and you can feel the quick effect and improve the constitution from the root. If you want to spend post-menopause (after menopause) lively, Chinese medicine is recommended.

Chinese herbal medicine recommended for post-menopause (after menopause)

・Kamishoyosan
Effective for hot flashes and hot flashes. This herbal medicine is recommended for people who tend to feel stiff shoulders, irritation, and fatigue.

・Goshajinkigan
: A herbal medicine that relieves leg pain and numbness. Recommended for those who have coldness in the lower body and urination troubles.

If you want to use Kampo medicine that is suitable for your body, it is important to have a diagnosis and prescription by a specialist who is familiar with Kampo, such as a doctor or pharmacist.

If you want to find a Kampo that suits you, it is recommended to borrow the help of a professional. If you don’t have a regular Kampo doctor, how about using an online Kampo service such as Anshin Kampo , which delivers Kampo to your home at a reasonable price ?

get regular health checks at a gynecologist

After menopause, estrogen, which plays a role in strengthening bones and protecting blood vessels, decreases, increasing the risk of various diseases.

Since the symptoms that appear during menopause range widely from physical symptoms to mental symptoms, many people seem to visit different doctors, such as internal medicine, psychosomatic medicine, and orthopedics. Let’s look.

In addition, women have more visceral fat after menopause, and excessive visceral fat increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Since lifestyle-related diseases progress without subjective symptoms, it is important to have regular check-ups to check your health.

Menopause is a time of change, take good care of your body

Menopause is a time of great changes in a woman’s body. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, hot flashes, dizziness and irritability may appear until your body adjusts to the sudden change.

The end of menopause is different for each person, and there are no clear criteria or signs. However, in many cases, it is said that the symptoms of menopause and menopausal disorders will subside around the late 50s.

By the time menopause is over, estrogen, the female hormone, is almost not secreted, and the risk of various diseases increases.