How do you know you're going through menopause

The judgment of menopause is mainly based on typical manifestations such as menstrual changes, vasomotor symptoms, emotional fluctuations, sleep disorders, and bone and joint discomfort. If women experience menstrual cycle disorders, hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and joint pain after the age of 40, it may indicate the onset of perimenopause. It is recommended to further confirm through hormone testing and bone density examination.

1. Menstrual changes

Shortening or prolonging the menstrual cycle for more than 7 days, significantly reducing or increasing menstrual flow, and even experiencing sudden bleeding after several months of amenorrhea, are early signals of ovarian dysfunction. Some women may experience functional uterine bleeding, which needs to be differentiated from gynecological diseases.

2. Vasoconstriction symptoms

Sudden facial flushing, neck fever accompanied by sweating, night sweats leading to soaking of pajamas, lasting for seconds to minutes, and can recur multiple times a day. These symptoms are related to the disruption of hypothalamic thermoregulatory function caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels.

3. Emotional fluctuations

Unexplained irritability, anxiety, or low mood may be accompanied by cognitive changes such as memory loss and lack of concentration. The decrease of estrogen affects the balance of neurotransmitters and reduces the ability to regulate emotions.

4. Sleep disorders

Difficulty falling asleep, easy to wake up or wake up early, and some women may experience worsening insomnia due to nighttime hot flashes. Long term sleep deprivation may lead to somatic symptoms such as daytime fatigue and headaches.

5. Bone and joint discomfort

Lower back pain and joint stiffness are obvious in the morning and slightly relieved after exercise. Estrogen deficiency accelerates bone loss, which may be accompanied by signs such as shorter height and hunchback, and the risk of osteoporosis should be monitored.

It is recommended to maintain a regular schedule and moderate exercise such as yoga, brisk walking, etc., supplement sufficient calcium and vitamin D daily, and consume more foods rich in plant estrogens such as soy products and deep-sea fish. Hormone replacement therapy may be considered when severe symptoms occur, but medication risks need to be evaluated under the guidance of a doctor. Regularly conduct health screenings such as breast ultrasound and gynecological examinations, and establish positive social activities to alleviate psychological stress.