Free Menopause Symptom Tracker

Discover our Free Menopause Symptom Tracker! Easily monitor your symptoms, and learn about personalized relief recommendations and support options. Take control of your menopause journey with confidence and ease.

3 Phases of Menopause:

Many women are surprised to learn that the transition into menopause isn’t just one phase. Wait, What? Yup…It happens over a series of phases and years. Many of the most challenging symptoms can happen before menopause even takes place. Let’s discuss the three different phases and how they differ.

Perimenopause:

This is when you move from a regular menstrual cycle (every 25+ days, etc.) to a very inconsistent cycle. This phase generally happens in the mid-to-late 40s, but it can happen earlier for some women.

What’s Happening in Perimenopause:

In summary, the number of eggs released decreases, and the time when eggs are released is inconsistent. The inconsistencies stem from the shifting balance between estrogen and progesterone. This imbalance of hormones is what leads to symptoms like headaches, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, fatigue, changes in libido, weight gain, and cognitive changes many women refer to as brain fog.

The bad news…these symptoms can last up to 10 years, but they tend to be more intense the four to five years prior to menopause.

This is when most women notice that things are off. They begin to notice they don’t sleep as well, they are gaining weight, or they notice they are getting thicker around the belly. They are more tired, or they seem to get headaches more often. Some women feel more irritable or short-tempered.

Menopause:

Menopause is when you have gone a full year (12 months) without a period. The average age for menopause is around 51, but some women go into menopause as late as 60.

How do I know if I’m in Menopause?

If you aren’t sure, or if you have been on an IUD or birth control that may stop you from getting a period then you can have your gynecologist do a diagnostic test to verify if you’ve reached menopause.

Postmenopause:

Basically, once you’ve determined that you’ve hit menopause, then the rest of your life is called postmenopause. This is where you will live (biologically speaking) for the rest of your life.

What’s Happening in Postmenopause?

In postmenopause, you are no longer in your reproductive years, so your body shifts from making the primary estrogen hormone for pregnancy, the estrogen hormone estradiol, to mainly making the estrogen hormone estrone. Estrone is a weaker version, but it’s generated from fat cells. It’s one of the reasons doctors recommend losing weight in order to reduce symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats, since it has been suggested that higher body fat increases the chances of having symptoms.

Conclusion:

As you navigate the complex phases of menopause, understanding where you stand is crucial. Our Free Menopause Symptom Tracker is designed to help you identify the specific symptoms and phases of your menopausal journey. Remember, while our tracker offers insight and guidance, verifying your menopausal stage with a healthcare professional is always recommended for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment options. Embrace this phase of life with informed confidence and support from our free resources and your medical advisor.