In the world of women's health, there comes a time when everything seems to change.
It can be that unusual feeling of despair, the constant forgetfulness, and those irregular periods that suddenly disrupt your life. Meet Sally, an Australian woman in her mid-40s. Just three years ago, she was a regular at her Pilates classes, attending four times a week. Now, she can barely muster the energy to exercise, all thanks to chronic insomnia. Her friendly demeanour has shifted to constant anxiety, affecting both her work and home life.
Uncertain about what was happening to her body, Sally decided to visit her doctor. The physician's diagnosis? Stress, the classic culprit. He suggested Sally return in a year, leaving her feeling frustrated and unheard. In search of answers, Sally turned to the ever-resourceful Dr. Google. Her research pointed her towards the onset of perimenopause.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the final menstrual period in a woman’s life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55 years, with the average age of onset at around 50 years. When a woman has had no periods for 12 consecutive months, she is considered "postmenopausal."
However, before reaching this stage, women go through perimenopause which is the onset of new menopausal symptoms (such as irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, or sleep disturbances) and a change in the pattern of menstrual bleeding. It can last on average 4 to 8 years. One year after the last menstrual period the woman is considered "postmenopausal".
