Many people believe that puberty is a one-time occurrence that is experienced in adolescence. However, many women go through a lesser-known event later in life that’s sometimes called “second puberty”. In this article, we will discuss the changes that coincide with second puberty, what it means and how treatment can help women get through this period of transition.
Table Of Contents
Do Women Have A Second Puberty?
What Happens When Women Hit Their Second Puberty?
Physical Changes With Second Puberty
Emotional Changes With Second Puberty
Cognitive Changes With Second Puberty
Can Therapy Help Women Going Through Second Puberty?
The Bottom Line
Do Women Have A Second Puberty?
It is true that women might go through what is known as a “second puberty.” Although this isn’t a medical expression, it accurately characterizes a stage of life where women experience major changes in their bodies, minds and emotions. The perimenopause and menopause, which signal the end of a woman’s reproductive years, usually fall during this time. This period of hormonal change can resemble some features of the initial puberty, which is why it’s called “second puberty.”
What Happens When Women Hit Their Second Puberty?
Hormone fluctuations can cause a woman to go through several changes when she reaches her second puberty. Menopause typically occurs at age 51, however, perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, can begin as early as the mid-30s to late 40s. The body produces less estrogen and progesterone during these phases, which causes a variety of changes in the physical, emotional and cognitive functions (Mayo Clinic, 2023; National Institute of Aging, 2021b).
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Physical Changes With Second Puberty
There might be evident and occasionally difficult physical changes during the second puberty. The following are typical changes that women may go through:
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Sudden sensations of warmth that can induce sweating and discomfort are known as hot flashes. They are often most severe across the face, neck, and chest. Hot flushes may be similar to night sweets that occur during sleep but hot flushes disturb the rest (National Institute of Aging, 2021a).
Weight Gain
Second puberty presents additional challenges for many women in maintaining their weight because of hormonal changes that can slow down their metabolism. Additionally, the distribution of body fat changes, which frequently results in an increase in fat around the midsection (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023).
Changes in Skin and Hair
Thinner, drier skin and hair might result from decreased estrogen levels. Certain women might observe a greater amount of hair loss or thinning, but others might see hair growth in areas like the upper lip or chin (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).
Bone Density Loss
As people age, their bone density tends to decrease. In women, the levels of estrogen decrease during menopause. This might hasten this process and increase the likelihood of osteoporosis (Office of the Surgeon General (US), 2004).
Changes in Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycles become erratic during the perimenopause. Before stopping completely, periods can get lighter, heavier, shorter or longer (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Emotional Changes With Second Puberty
A woman’s emotional health can be greatly impacted by the hormonal changes that accompany second puberty. It can be easier to manage these changes effectively if you understand them.
Mood Swings
During the second puberty, women may suffer mood swings comparable to the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence. These can include sadness and irritation as well as anxiety and despair (Hoffman & MD, 2022).
Anxiety and Depression
Reduced levels of progesterone and estrogen might impact neurotransmitter activity, which can heighten depressive and anxious feelings. This is a time when symptoms for women who have a history of mood disorders may worsen (Hoffman & MD, 2022).
Decreased Libido
Decreased sex drive can also result from hormonal changes. Both physiological changes—vaginal dryness—and psychological ones—like stress or shifting body image—may be responsible for this (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
Fatigue
One of the most prevalent complaints during second puberty is persistent fatigue. This may be brought on by mood swings, difficulty in sleep from night sweats and overall stress from managing this life transition.
Cognitive Changes With Second Puberty
Although rarely talked about, cognitive changes that occur during second puberty might have just as much of an influence.
Memory Lapses
During the perimenopause and menopause, many women report experiencing “brain fog” or memory loss. This can involve losing track of one’s thoughts in the middle of a phrase or forgetting names or appointments (Goldstein, 2021).
Difficulty Concentrating
During the second puberty, concentration and focus may become less apparent. This can make it difficult to finish tasks or maintain concentration on activities that demand extended periods of time.
Slower Cognitive Processing
It’s possible for some women to observe a decline in their cognitive processing speed. This may have an impact on one’s capacity for making decisions, solving problems and reacting fast to new information.
Can Therapy Help Women Going Through Second Puberty?
It can be quite helpful for women going through second puberty to receive therapy. It provides a safe space to work with the mental and emotional obstacles that keep cropping during this time. Speaking with a therapist can help women feel less alone and more understood in their experiences by offering emotional support and validation. This might be crucial to those who experience anxiety, despair or mood changes. Therapists can offer coping strategies such as mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises, to manage symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works well for treating anxiety and mood disorders. It supports a more optimistic perspective and improves emotional control by assisting people in recognizing and altering harmful thought patterns. Women who are aware of the biological and psychological aspects of second puberty may be better equipped to control their symptoms. Therapists can offer insightful advice on how to handle changes and what to anticipate.
The Bottom Line
In a woman’s life, second puberty is an important time but sometimes unanticipated. Although the changes in the body, mind and emotions can be difficult, preparing yourself can help the process proceed more easily. Therapy provides a great deal of support by giving coping mechanisms and a safe haven to work through the challenges of this time. Women can navigate the changes associated with second puberty more easily and confidently if they recognize and manage these changes.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, February 19). Here’s How Menopause Affects Your Skin and Hair. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/heres-how-menopause-affects-your-skin-and-hair
Goldstein, J. M. (2021, November 3). Menopause and memory: Know the facts. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/menopause-and-memory-know-the-facts-202111032630
Hoffman, M. & MD. (2022). Estrogen and Women’s Emotions. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/women/estrogen-and-womens-emotions
Mayo Clinic. (2023, May 25). Perimenopause—Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, July 8). The reality of menopause weight gain. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menopause-weight-gain/art-20046058
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024). Low sex drive in women—Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/symptoms-causes/syc-20374554
National Institute of Aging. (2021a, September 30). Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/hot-flashes-what-can-i-do
National Institute of Aging. (2021b, September 30). What Is Menopause? National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
Office of the Surgeon General (US). (2004). The Basics of Bone in Health and Disease. In Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General. Office of the Surgeon General (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45504/
Written By: Dr. Wasif MD
Edited by: Madison Vargas, BS
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Kyle Zrenchik, PhD, LMFT
Published : 07/22/24
Disclaimer: ALL IN Therapy Clinic aims to improve people’s lives. We do this through providing effective mental health counseling by passionate professionals. Inspired by this, we write content for your own education. Also, our content is researched, cited, reviewed, and edited by licensed mental health professionals. However, the information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, it should not be used in place of the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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