Unpacking The Common Menopausal Age In The Philippines: A Look Into Menstrual Journeys

Hence, an individual is subjected to go through observable changes. Only that, some have it obvious and some have it not. This is where the similarities and differences of these physical shifts may vary. 

Menarche, the first day of a woman’s menstrual cycle, is one unique stage she experiences. And the conclusion of it, which is menopause. Although it is a normal biological process that many women go through, the path to getting there might vary greatly based on things like age and culture.

For instance, throughout the years between puberty (often between the ages of 11 and 14) and menopause, a woman’s body prepares for pregnancy every month (often around the age of 51). A woman with a uterus and ovaries often has “menstruation,” or regular vaginal bleeding. During this time, the uterine lining thickens and an egg matures inside one of the ovaries before being released.

In this article, we take a look into the common menopausal age in the Philippines and unpack what goes into these journeys for Filipino women. We explore how cultural norms, economic circumstances, and lifestyle choices all factor into when ladies hit menopause and how it impacts them in different ways.

Menarche (First Period)

Each subsequent menstrual cycle is the consequence of several endocrine glands (hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary) and end organs working together effectively (pituitary–ovarian follicle–endometrium). Menarche not only marks the beginning of the time of reproductive ability, but the right timing of the occurrence has ramifications for both short and long-term health. 

The average age a girl gets her first period ranges from year twelve to thirteen. This is called the menarche, and often goes around two years after a girl’s breast and pubic hair have started growing or developing. Getting your first period in between the age of 8 to 15, however, is normal. It is only common for some girls to experience their first period at a younger age, while some have it at an older age. Though getting it at an age earlier than eight and later than fifteen may be alarming. 

Adolescents’ physical and behavioral issues like anxiety/depression, substance use, and suicidal behavior are all linked to early menarche. The epiphyseal growth plates may fuse prematurely as a result, and the young woman’s final adult height may be lower than her potential genetic height. Menarche before the age of 12 has been linked in the Korean population to a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus in young and middle-aged women. It has also been related to more excellent rates of adult hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and obesity, which puts women at higher risk for cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 

The Menstrual Cycle 

The menstrual cycle’s healthy portion is your period. Each cycle, the endometrium (the uterine lining), which swells to support a prospective pregnancy, sheds. Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period. An essential sign of your wellness could be your menstruation. And here are the things you have to remember about it: 

Frequency, Flow, and Duration

The frequency, flow, and duration of menstruation vary for every woman just as their bodies are different from each other. Knowing what is “normal” or “the usual” for you is crucial. This refers to the cycle of time you get your period, what kind of flow your period has, and how long it usually lasts in a cycle. 

Frequency  

The number of days between periods, calculated from the first day of your period to the day before your next period begins, is the length of your cycle. If no contraceptives or other supplements that may alter fertility and ovulation are used, the usual cycle length is between 24 and 38 days.

Flow & Duration

While period duration varies per individual, a usual pattern regarding its flow typically occurs. The first day of the period indicates its beginning, to the second to third day when the blood flow is usually heavy, until the last days when all is exhausted. Changing your tampon three to even six times a day is still considered normal. The flow is only right depending on the duration, which may be three-day long or a seven-day long period. However, it is crucial to be aware when the flow is only common or too much as it may be a sign of excessive bleeding which may indicate bad signs regarding a woman’s reproductive health or her well-being in general.

Excessive Bleeding (Menorrhagia)

Menstrual periods that are unusually heavy or lengthy are referred to as menorrhagia in medicine. When they are on their period, many women experience days with heavy periods and pains. Menorrhagia is uncommon, nevertheless. In case of menorrhagia, you will need to replace your tampon or pad every hour for at least one complete day if you have menorrhagia since your flow is so heavy. Additionally, your cramps are so bad that they prevent you from performing your normal activities. 

Introduction to Menopause

The average age of menopause in the Philippines is 50 years old. However, there is a wide range of ages when women in the Philippines experience menopause. Some women may experience menopause as early as their 30s or 40s, while others may not experience it until their 60s.

There are a variety of factors that can influence when a woman experiences menopause. These include genetics, lifestyle choices, and health conditions. Menopause is a natural process that happens when the ovaries stop producing eggs and the body can no longer support a pregnancy.

During menopause, women may experience a variety of symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. While these symptoms can be disruptive, there are treatments available to help manage them. In addition, there are steps women can take to protect their health during menopause, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking.

Causes and Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is a natural process that all women go through as they age. It usually occurs around the age of 50, but it can happen earlier or later in life. The main symptom of menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods. Other symptoms may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Menopause is caused by the declining levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. These hormones play an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle. When they decline, menstruation ceases. Treatment for menopausal symptoms may include hormone replacement therapy, which can help to ease some of the symptoms associated with menopause.

The Common Menopausal Age In The Philippines

The average age of menopause in the Philippines is 51 years old. However, there is a wide range of ages that women who experience menopause. Some women may experience menopause as early as their 30s or 40s, while others may not experience it until their 60s. There is no one “right” age to experience menopause, and each woman’s journey is unique.

There are a number of factors that can affect when a woman experiences menopause, including her family history, lifestyle choices, and overall health. Menopause is simply the natural cessation of menstruation and does not necessarily indicate any underlying health problems. However, some women do experience menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes and/or hormone therapy.

If you are experiencing any changes in your menstrual cycle or are experiencing any menopausal symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine the best course of action for you.

Physical Changes During Menopause

The menopausal age in the Philippines is typically between 45 and 55 years old. At this time, a woman’s ovaries will stop producing eggs and she will no longer have menstrual periods. The lack of estrogen production can cause a number of physical changes, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. In addition, some women may experience mood swings, irritability, and anxiety during menopause. Although these changes can be frustrating, there are ways to manage them.

Emotional Impact of Menopause

As women approach menopause, they may experience a range of emotions. Some may feel excited about the prospect of no longer having to deal with periods, while others may feel anxious about the changes their bodies are going through. Many women also report feeling sad or depressed during menopause, which can be attributed to the hormonal changes that occur during this time. Additionally, some women may find themselves feeling irritable or angry more often than usual. If you’re experiencing any of these emotions, it’s important to talk to your doctor or a therapist who can help you manage them.

Managing Menopausal Symptoms

The average age of menopause onset in the Philippines is 51 years old. However, the experience of menopausal symptoms varies widely from person to person. Some women may experience very mild symptoms while others may suffer from more severe symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life.

There are a variety of treatments available to help manage menopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often prescribed to help relieve hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms. Localized HRT, which is applied directly to the vagina, can be effective in treating vaginal dryness and atrophy. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed to help manage mood swings and other emotional changes that can occur during menopause.

Self-care measures such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise can also help reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms. If you are struggling to manage your menopausal symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatment options that may be right for you.

Treatments for Treating Menopausal Symptoms

There are a variety of treatments available for treating menopausal symptoms. Some common treatments include hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen therapy, and antidepressants.

Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. It can also help with vaginal dryness and sexual problems. Vaginal estrogen therapy can help with vaginal dryness, itching, and burning. Antidepressants can help with hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and irritability.

Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right for you.

Mental Health and Wellbeing During Menopause

The menopausal age in the Philippines is commonly between 45 and 55 years old. At this time, many women experience a wide range of changes in their bodies, which can impact their mental health and well-being.

During menopause, it is not uncommon for women to experience hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can be due to the fluctuating levels of hormones in the body during this time. For some women, menopause can be a very difficult time emotionally and mentally.

There are a few things that you can do to help manage your mental health during menopause:

1. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and concerns: they can help you determine if your symptoms are due to menopause or other underlying health conditions.
2. Stay active and eat a healthy diet: exercise can help reduce stress and improve moods. Eating a balanced diet will also help regulate hormone levels.
3. Connect with other women who are going through menopause: sharing stories and experiences can help you feel less alone during this time.

Conclusion

Menopause is a life transition that many women in the Philippines experience, often without access to the resources they need. This article has explored how menopausal age and menstrual journeys vary among Filipinas, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities associated with this important time of life. Understanding these nuances will enable us to better support Filipino women as they navigate their own unique journey through menopause. With greater awareness and understanding of menopausal health issues across different cultures and societies, we can help empower more Filipina women to take charge of their lives during this transformative period.