Thinning facial features
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women are not completely done with the transition into adulthood until their early to mid-20s. One sure sign of maturity is the loss of youthful “baby fat” around the eyes and cheeks.
Vaginal problems
With the onset of sexual activity comes a host of unpleasant problems in their urinary and reproductive systems. Bacterial vaginosis, UTIs, yeast infections, and STDs are common in young women.
Acne
Marla Ahlgrimm explains that nearly half of all women will experience acne for the first time between 21 and 26 years of age. While hormones are partly to blame for this sudden onset of facial imperfections, stress and a poor diet also contribute.
Intense menstrual cramps
Many women enter their 20s acclimated to their menstrual cycle and all of the unpleasant signs heralding its arrival each month. However, prostaglandins, the hormones that trigger the shedding of the uterine lining, can intensify cramping and may result in heavier periods as fertility hormones peak.
Slower metabolism
By the time a woman reaches her 30s, her metabolism begins to slow down. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that it can be more difficult to lose weight during this time, especially post-baby weight.
Hormonal changes
Again in a woman’s 30s, her hormones turn a new direction: decreased fertility. By the age of 35, reproductive abilities begin to decrease, signaled by waning hormone production. Mood changes, insomnia, and uterine fibroids are common in this decade of life.
Depression
Marla Ahlgrimm notes that one of the most under-discussed side effects of adulthood is depression. Many women in their mid-to late-30s experience life events that can trigger mental health issues. Stress over aging parents, raising teenager, and loss of marital passion are all culprits.
