Menopause, menopause or climacteric – which is which?

Menopause, the change of life, the climacteric—these terms are often used interchangeably, but what does each one mean?

Menopause refers to the time of the last menstrual period, provided that no further periods have occurred in the 12 months following it. In Germany, menopause typically begins between the ages of 50 and 52. Menopause can only be confirmed in retrospect; after all, no one—including the woman herself—knows whether her period will return or not.

Menopause, also known medically as the climacteric, refers to a period lasting several months or years during which hormonal balance changes. Menopause thus marks the end of this phase. Premature menopause (Climacterium praecox) Menopause is defined as the cessation of ovarian function before the age of 40.

Menopause is divided into three phases: premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause. The terms “menopause” and “menopausal transition” refer to premenopause and perimenopause.

Premenopause

During premenopause, the period leading up to menopause, menstrual periods become increasingly irregular. It is also not uncommon for cycles to become shorter due to a shorter second half of the cycle. Other early signs of the onset of menopause may include breakthrough bleeding or particularly heavy and prolonged bleeding. Furthermore, some women complain of nervous tension, irritability, migraine attacks, or water retention. However, these symptoms are often not (yet) associated with the onset of menopause. Instead, many women believe they are suffering from PMS. In fact, these symptoms are caused by the gradual breakdown of the previously finely tuned regulation of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause refers to the period surrounding menopause; it begins about one to two years before and ends about one year after the last menstrual period. The ovaries now produce less and less estrogen. Hot flashes, severe fatigue, and night sweats become more frequent. The skin and mucous membranes become drier and more brittle than before. Due to the increasing estrogen deficiency, women often suffer from difficulty concentrating, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and irritability; they lack resilience and are unable to cope with stress. The vaginal lining also becomes drier, and libido decreases. Many women feel disoriented and adrift during menopause. They no longer feel young, but are not yet old either; they feel insecure and dissatisfied with themselves and their situation. Women going through menopause are also often more pensive than usual and tend to withdraw.

Menopause and Postmenopause

If hormone production drops to the point where ovulation no longer occurs, menopause begins, typically around age 50. Once a woman has gone at least one year without a period, she enters postmenopause—the phase following menopause during which she is no longer fertile.

By the way, with OvulaRing, you can track exactly when you’re entering menopause. At this stage, your cycles become more irregular and/or shorter. Ovulation occurs less frequently until it eventually stops. If you know your cycle well, you’re no longer at the mercy of when menopause will strike; instead, you’ll better understand your body’s signals and be able to correctly interpret and contextualize any symptoms. Information about your cycle activity and the onset of menopause is also important for your gynecologist, as it allows them to provide you with the best possible advice.