Common Symptoms of Menopause

Every woman reaches menopause at a different age, but it generally occurs between the ages of 48 and 54 years.  She can usually get an idea of when it will occur by gauging how old her mother was when she started menopause.  Menopause can arrive earlier for women who have never had children or who smoke regularly.  Also, women who have had a hysterectomy or have cancer will experience a very abrupt form of menopause, which will not be discussed in this article. Regardless of when it begins, it is helpful to know the signs and symptoms you should expect.

The first sign you may notice is irregularity in your menstrual cycle.  Even if you have had a regular period your whole life, you may skip a month or get two periods in one month.  The flow might be heavy one month and very light the next, and may vary in duration.  This may or may not be accompanied by regular episodes of hot flashes, and an inability to get a good night’s sleep.  This might be caused by night sweats which are caused by the fluctuations in hormones and your body’s struggle to regulate your body temperature.  Hot flashes, also called hot flushes, can be mild or so severe as to be disruptive.  There is medication that your doctor can prescribe to alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms.

Another noticeable symptom is a change in your moods.  Women in the midst of menopause experience extreme mood swings which not only affect her, but those around her.  It is essential that you loved ones know what you are going through, to provide you the support that you will need at this time.  These moods may manifest as depression or anxiety (or both) and you might consider therapy or support groups to get through those rough patches.

On top of that, the loss of estrogen causes the vaginal walls to thin and become dry, causing painful intercourse.  This directly affects a woman’s libido so a decrease in sex drive is to be expected.   In addition, vaginal infections become more common and you may also experience urinary incontinence.  This means that there may be some leakage when you laugh, cough or sneeze, so protection is necessary.

Other less common signs of menopause include migraine headaches and ringing in the ears.  Weight gain has also been reported, an average of 15 pounds or more, and joint and muscle fatigue. Menopausal women may feel achy first thing in the morning and it might take a while to get out of bed.

The picture seems bleak, however there are many things a woman can do to curtail these uncomfortable feelings.  It is also important to realize that not all women will experience all of the symptoms listed so it is essential to speak to your health care professional at your yearly physical about what you’re feeling.  If the symptoms are severe, there are effective medications including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which have been shown to provide relief.  On the other hand, if the symptoms are mild and not disruptive, you can take some over-the-counter supplements to achieve similar results.