Between the ages of 45 and 55, a new phase begins in a woman’s life. This period is also known as“menopause.”The cessation of menstruation marks the beginning of this phase—which is aptly named “menopause” (from “menstruation”). However, preparation for this time of change begins much earlier. And once again, this preparatory phase has a great deal to do with sex hormones.
As early as five to ten years before menopause, the production of progesterone begins to decline. As levels of this hormone decrease, menstrual periods become more irregular, and breakthrough bleeding may also occur. Before a period, symptoms such as breast tenderness or migraines may intensify. This is caused by a lack of progesterone. Progestin normally ensures the buildup of the uterine lining during the second half of the menstrual cycle and prepares the body for ovulation.
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If there is a progestin deficiency, estrogen—the hormone that counteracts progesterone—becomes more dominant. This can lead to fluid retention in the body, which is particularly noticeable during the second half of the cycle. Depending on where fluid accumulates in the tissues, various symptoms may arise. Many women feel “swollen” during this time before their period. Incidentally, the English term for this condition—which, in my opinion, describes this feeling much better—is “puffy.”
All of this begins about five to ten years before the last menstrual period, marking the onset of menopause. And it doesn’t mean that every woman will experience the symptoms described during this time. Some women notice nothing at all, some notice only very slight changes, and some will suffer from them. There is no one-size-fits-all scenario for all women.
When your last menstrual period ends, the level of the sex hormone estrogen in your blood drops. This can happen suddenly or take place gradually over time. Depending on how abrupt the drop in estrogen is, you may experience symptoms of varying severity.
But here, too, it’s important to note that by no means does every woman suffer from so-called “menopausal symptoms.” As a rule of thumb, between 60 and 70 percent of all women experience menopausal symptoms, while 30 to 40 percent go through this transition without any symptoms. For those who go through menopause without noticeable symptoms, scientists believe that these women continue to produce sex hormones in their muscle and fat cells, as well as in their brains. Yes, you read that correctly: muscles, fat, and the brain also produce sex hormones. However, why this has a stronger effect in some women than in others is still the subject of research.
In Asia, for example, menopausal symptoms are virtually unknown. The reasons for this are a matter of debate. On the one hand, it could be the diet—which is very rich in soy from childhood onward—that prevents menopausal symptoms (soy contains a large number of plant-based hormones). On the other hand, however, it could also be related to a different approach to the post-fertile years, viewing them as a time of great wisdom and serenity.
Incidentally, it is still unknown what triggers the changes that ultimately lead to menopause.
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