We have the answers to your vexing menopause questions…
How will I know I’m going through menopause?
Before you go through actual menopause, you will first go through what is called ‘perimenopause’, or ‘menopause transition’. This begins on average four years before menopause (but may start as early as 10 years before) and happens when your ovaries begin to produce less of the oestrogen hormone.
ALSO SEE: 7 Surprising Perimenopause Symptoms
Perimenopause symptoms include hot flushes, breast tenderness, worse PMS, irregular periods, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. Many women, however, only experience irregular periods and are not troubled by other symptoms. Irregular periods can be attributed to the erratic production of hormones by the ovaries as well as less frequent ovulation.
During the last year or two of perimenopause, you may experience menopause symptoms. Perimenopause ends when you have not had your period for 12 months.
ALSO SEE: Well-being practice used by Gwyneth Paltrow could help ease mental symptoms of menopause
What are the most common symptoms of menopause?
Not all women experience all of the symptoms associated with menopause, nor does everyone experience it to the same intensity. Some women even report that they had no symptoms during menopause.
The most common symptoms of menopause include, but are not limited to:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Reduced sex drive
- Dry skin, mouth and eyes
- Sore or tender breasts
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Less full breasts
- Hair thinning or loss
Do I still need to take birth control now that I’ve begun menopause?
Yes, you need to still take your birth control. You have only experienced menopause completely when you have not had a period for 12 months. You can mark those months when you don’t get your period in order for you to keep track of the number of months.
How will menopause affect my breasts?
There are three common ways in which a woman’s breasts are affected during perimenopause and menopause:
- Tenderness and pain
- Changes in size and shape, and
- lumps forming in the breasts
The tenderness and pain at different times during the month can be attributed to fluid build-up. While this usually happens before your period, not having your period regularly means that the pain and tenderness may occur at any time.
To relieve the pain and tenderness, you can make sure that you are, in fact, wearing the right size bra. Wearing the wrong size may cause pain and discomfort. If your breasts ache severely, however, and the pain won’t go away, you should consult your doctor.
The changes in the size and shape of your breasts have to do with the glandular tissue in the breasts shrinking as you will not have to produce milk in the future.
You may also feel that your breasts become lumpy. These ‘lumps’ are, however, most likely non-cancerous cysts that will go away by themselves. The cysts may go away after menopause, but, if you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), there is a chance they will stick around.
Fibrocystic changes in the breasts are another common reason for lumpy and painful breasts. If you are at all worried about any of these symptoms, it’s best to see your doctor.
ALSO SEE: 6 Breast Cancer Myths You Need To Know About
Why not try Femolene to help alleviate your menopause symptoms?
Femolene Ultra
Femolene Ultra is formulated with isoflavones, vitamins and minerals, and helps to alleviate the symptoms of PMS and menopause, including:
- Mild to moderate hot flushes and night sweats
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
- Food cravings
- Bloating
- Insomnia
Femolene Ultra SR
Femolene Ultra SR is a one-a-day slow release tablet formulated with isoflavones, vitamins and minerals to help alleviate the symptoms of PMS and menopause. It assists with:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
- Food cravings
- Bloating
- Insomnia
ALSO SEE: Can You Delay Menopause? These Foods Could Help
Menopause SR
Femolene Menopause SR has been formulated for women with severe menopause symptoms and helps to alleviate:
- Severe hot flushes
- Severe night sweats
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
Available online and at selected pharmacies.
Join the Menopause Mzanzi Facebook Support Group for moral support from others going through the same changes and symptoms that you are.
