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Menopause Symptoms
To learn more about each of the above symptoms, click on the link above to jump to that section of the page or scroll through this page to read them all. In addition to these common menopausal symptoms women will also experience many different changes. Some of these changes include;
Other changes you may experience include weight gain, incontinence, bloating, allergies, brittle nails, change in body odor, irregular heart beat, depression, anxiety and a sense of panic. Click here to read more about changes during menopause. Menopause Symtom #1 Hot Flashes / Hot Flushes  A
hot flash, sometimes called a hot flush, is the sudden sensation of
extreme body heat which can be accompanied by a reddened flushed face,
neck and chest and profuse sweating. This particular menopausal symptom
can sometimes be accompanied by anxiety, mild to severe heart
palpitations, irritability and in some cases (although rare) a feeling
of panick.Hot flashes are the most common of all the menopause symptoms with approximately 75 to 95% of women reporting having this symptom during the different stages of menopause. Hot flashes can occur during perimenopause but more commonly occur post menopause when estrogen levels have dropped below a certain point. These hot flashes usually occur for 1 to 2 years after reaching menopause but can last for up to 5 years. Women how have gone through chemotherapy, have had antiestrogen treatments for breast cancer or have had their ovaries removed during a hysterectomy are more likely to experience severe hot flashes. These hot flashes happen during the day but can occur at night which is known as night sweats. Back to list
Back to List Menopause Symptoms #3 Irregular Periods Obviously this particular symptom occurs prior to reaching menopause as menopause marks the end of your periods. Almost all women will experience irregular periods during perimenopause. In fact, only about 10% of women will reach menopause without ever missing a period. During perimenopause women can experience irregular menstrual cycles. One month you may have an extremely short period lasting just a few days or can last for several weeks. You may also see changes in the intensity of your menstrual flow. One month the bleeding may be very light (just spotting) and then the next month you may experience an extremely heavy flow that can be accompanied by blood clots. If you are not sure if your erractic periods are due to menopause symptoms or something more serious, consult with your doctor for advise. Back to List Menopause Symptoms #4 Loss of Libido A loss of sex drive is very common during menopause and effect 20 to 40% of women. The primary cause for the loss of sexual desire is hormonal. As a women progresses through menopause, the body begins to decrease production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (or androgens). This decreased production can reduce a woman's sex drive, cause vaginal dryness and hot flashes and night sweats. Although hormonal changes are the primary reason for this menopause symptom there are other causes that include physical, psychological and relational causes. These include hysterectomy, medications, medical diseases, fatigue and stress just to name a few. Back to List Menopausal Symptom #5 Vaginal Dryness As the estrogen levels drop your vaginal tissue becomes dry and you lose some of the elasticity in your vagina. The elasticity is what allows women to give birth and have sex comfortably. Additionally, your vagina begins to atrophy, or become smaller in width and length. This is also due to the lower levels of estrogen. With vaginal dryness sex can become uncomfortable and it may take longer to become lubricated. In addition to the dryness a woman may experience vaginal itching, light bleeding during or after sex, painful sex and a general discomfort. Fortunately, vaginal dryness can be minimized with treatment. The treatments can be as simple as an over the counter lubricant or natural supplements to help with the declining estrogen levels. Or you can go more extreme (with higher risks) and consult with your doctor about a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Back to List Symptoms of Menopause #6 Mood Swings This particular symptom of menopause is the one most men hope we women avoid. But unfortunately this is one of the more common symptoms of menopause with over 50% of women reporting this symptom. Mood swings are when a person experiences an extreme or abrupt change in their mood. It could be anything from irritability to anxiety. Mood swings during menopause can cause women to break out into tears, become depressed or melancholy, experience increased stress and anxiety and even lose lack of interest or become less patient. Mood swings generally occur between the ages of 45 and 55 during the stages of menopause. The changing estrogen levels in a woman's body is the biggest contributor to this menopausal symptom. According to medical research, estrogen plays a role in the production of serotonin, also known as the mood regulating neurotransmitter. Estrogen effects the sensitivity of the serotonin receptor, increases the serotonin receptor levels and increases serotonin production. Although the estrogen level is the primary cause for mood swings they may also be caused by other menopause symptoms such as fatigue, stress, hot flashes and night sweats and physical changes to a woman's body. Back to Menopause Symptoms List Related Articles Changes During Menopause Weight Gain After Menopause Exercise 4 Weight Loss
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