4 surprising menopause symptoms including how it can change the size of your breasts

More than half the population will experience it, yet menopause remains one of the most misunderstood and under-discussed topics — sometimes even in the doctor’s office.In fact, surveys reveal that nearly half of US women feel completely uninformed about menopause, while close to 80% of medical residents admit they feel “barely comfortable” discussing or treating the issue.That means many women are entering this phase of life uneducated and unsupported, often only bracing for familiar symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue.The Post spoke with two experts to uncover some of the lesser-known signs that fly under the radar of doctors and patients alike.Commonly referred to as “the change,” menopause is divided into three basic stages.The first stage, perimenopause, is often described as “the mirror image of adolescence,” said Dr.

Steven Goldstein, a gynecologist and professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.“Adolescence is the onset of reproductive years.Perimenopause is the exit from them,” he said. Perimenopause typically starts in the late 40s and can last for several years.

During this time, women experience irregular periods and fluctuating hormone levels, especially estrogen.This is when many of the familiar symptoms, like mood swings and vaginal dryness, tend to occur.The second phase, menopause, is officially reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period, signaling that her ovaries have stopped producing significant amounts of estrogen.

The average age of menopause is 51.“In menopause there should be no bleeding, whereas in perimenopause it’s all over the map,” said Goldstein. The third and final stage, postmenopause, begins after that 12-month period and lasts for the rest of a woman’s life.In this stage, estrogen levels remain low, and the ability to get pregnant is gone since the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs.Now, let’s dive into some of the symptoms you might not know about. ...