What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
Signs of menopause to keep an eye out for
Ah, menopause, the lovely life chapter where things seem to go awry. But not to worry, this natural biological process is something that every woman experiences. Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and usually comes around age 45-55. Taking the time to understand the signs and symptoms can help you navigate this chapter with confidence and grace, and to know when to seek some outside support.
What is menopause?
Menopause comes about when your ovaries stop releasing eggs each month, and your body starts making less estrogen and progesterone. This downshift in hormone production can make your menstrual cycle become irregular and then stop altogether. Officially, menopause is when you have had a year without a period.
Signs of menopause
Although menopause is a natural process that happens in every woman, it isn’t without some physical and emotional signs and symptoms. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of menopause to look out for:
Irregular periods: Irregular periods are one of the earliest signs that menopause is around the corner. If your periods are getting lighter, heavier, or are coming more or less often than normal, you are likely in the phase known as peri-menopause (the time near menopause).
Sleep issues: If you find yourself suddenly having a hard time falling asleep, or are waking up in the night, then menopause might be the culprit. Night sweats, which we will discuss below in the hot flashes category, can also cause you to sleep poorly.
Mood changes: When your hormone levels change, moods can also change along with them. Many women feel irritable, sad, depressed, or anxious during menopause.
Hot flashes: Hot flashes are exactly what they sound like, they are sudden feelings of heat that can come with sweating and flushing of the skin. These episodes can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and can happen any time. When they happen in the night, it’s called night sweats.
Vaginal dryness: When your estrogen levels get low, the tissue in the lining of your vagina can become thin and dry. This can lead to feelings of dryness and even discomfort.
Decreased sex drive: Changes in hormone levels, combined with mood changes and vaginal dryness are a bad combo when it comes to libido.
Weight gain: For many women, the changes that cause menopause also lead to weight gain, especially around the belly area. Maintaining a healthy weight can become more of a challenge during and after menopause.
Joint and muscle pains: Many women describe having joint stiffness, aches and pains during menopause.
Brain fog: Feeling like you can’t concentrate or remember things as well as you used to is what some refer to as “brain fog” and is another common symptom of menopause.
Hair and skin changes: During menopause, some women may experience thinning of their hair, as well as dryness of the skin and hair and loss of skin elasticity.
When should you get professional advice for menopause symptoms?
Even though menopause is a natural process, that doesn’t mean you need to suffer without any help. Many if not all of the symptoms of menopause have treatment options for management.. It is also important to rule out any other health related conditions causing the symptoms.
If any of your symptoms are interfering with your daily life, or if you are feeling depressed, please reach out to your healthcare provider asap for help. Heavy bleeding, pain, weakness, fatigue, and memory problems are just some of the symptoms that could be a sign of something more serious going on, and you'll want your doctor to rule those out.
Managing menopause symptoms
If you have ruled out more serious health issues and determined that menopause is the cause of any of the above symptoms you can try both at-home treatments as well as treatments from a medical professional to help you manage. Here are some things you can try:
Lifestyle changes: Exercise, a healthy diet, sleeping 7-9 hours a night, and stress management can all help to reduce the symptoms of menopause.
Hormone treatments: Hormonal treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are available by prescription from a healthcare professional.
Support groups and therapy: Seeking the support of others, including a professional therapist, can be extremely helpful in addressing the emotional changes you are going through.
Menopause is a monumental and challenging phase of life, but you aren’t alone. With the proper support from friends, family, and your healthcare team, you can navigate this phase of life as comfortably as possible. Every woman experiences menopause differently, so pay attention to the signs and signals from your body and don’t hesitate to seek help.
