GEMM MEDIA

What are the three stages of menopause?

Perimenopause: can begin eight to 10 years before menopause when your ovaries gradually produce less and less estrogen. It usually starts when you’re in your 40s. You can be in perimenopause for several months or several years. Many people begin feeling symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings in perimenopause. 

Menopause: Menopause is the point when you no longer have menstrual periods. At this stage, your ovaries don’t release eggs, and your body doesn’t produce much estrogen. A healthcare provider diagnoses menopause when you’ve gone without a period for 12 consecutive months. Unlike the other stages, menopause itself is a defined moment, so you don’t stay in this stage.

Post menopause: This is the time after menopause. You stay in post menopause for the rest of your life. While most symptoms of menopause ease up in post menopause, you can continue to have mild menopausal symptoms for several years in post menopause. People in the postmenopausal phase are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease due to low estrogen levels.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause

Menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation. If it doesn’t happen because of any type of medical treatment or surgery, the process is gradual and happens in three stages:

One afternoon, while I was working on one of my projects. I found myself frantically fanning my face with a piece of cardboard that was lying around, wondering why the air conditioning had seemingly given up on me. It wasn’t the AC. It was me. The infamous "power surge" had arrived.

This all started in the summer of 2024. I was sweating uncontrollably and couldn’t find a way to cool down, questioning whether this was normal. I would often wake up drenched in sweat at night—though not every night, it happened at least four times a week. I could feel the sweat running down my back and sides, reminiscent of the sensation in a sauna. During the day, I’d just be standing there when suddenly a hot flash would hit. I learned to take deep breaths until it passed, but afterward, I would feel cold from being soaked in sweat.

At first, I felt frustrated, as if my body was playing tricks on me. I would often wake up at night drenched in sweat, crying, and wondering why menopause was so difficult for me. I believe there should be more support for women going through menopause; this time in a woman's life is difficult. There should be a treatment for this condition because it should be treated as a condition. It should be covered by insurance. I wish I could find the humor in it like some other women do, but honestly, I cannot. For me, it has been a miserable time in my life, and sometimes I feel deeply depressed and sad for no apparent reason. I have two daughters, and I wouldn't wish this pain on them.

My father passed away at the beginning of this challenging time in my life. Now, I can’t listen to a song I once loved because it takes me back to when it all began. Last month, my mom also passed away, which has been devastating. Going through two heart-wrenching losses in less than a year, especially while experiencing menopause, has been incredibly hard.