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First Signs of Female Menopause

Female menopause is the condition that all women (typically between the ages of 45 and 55) must endure. A woman's body will undergo many changes during menopause, and as result, bothersome symptoms are often experienced. The severity of such symptoms varies from woman to woman, but for those with intense changes, medications can be prescribed to assist with the unpleasant symptoms, such as hot flashes, that many women experience.

  1. Hot flashes

    • One of the first signs of female menopause is often hot flashes. This symptom can occur two years before the onset of full menopause, and indicates that a woman has entered into a pre-menopausal state called perimenopause. The effects include an increase in body temperature that can lead to perspiration and discomfort. The hot flashes can also be preceded or followed by chills. These changes can occur suddenly, and can persist (intermittently) for years.

    Menstrual Flow

    • Changes in a woman's menstrual flow occur in menopause. The former patterns can change by either becoming more or less frequent. Typically, the menstrual flow lightens and decreases until it is no longer present, although some women note a sudden stop in menstruation.

    Mood Changes

    • Female menopause causes hormones to fluctuate and decrease. The estrogen and progesterone levels often drop, resulting in mood swings and depression. Other mood changes can include increased anger, irritability or anxiety.

    Insomnia

    • Female menopause can cause insomnia in some women. Some women find it more difficult to fall asleep, while others awaken more easily. If insomnia persists, medication such as sleeping aids or anxiety medications are sometimes prescribed. Some women find it helpful to practice intentional habits to unwind before bed, such as soft music or bubble baths.

    Vaginal Changes

    • Female menopause can cause changes in a woman's vaginal health. Increased infections, such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections are common. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that can cause urgency and painful urination . A yeast infection occurs when the Candida albicans increase and cause an imbalance in the vagina. Yeast infections are typically characterized by itching, discharge and odor. Both infections are treated with antibiotics, however, over the counter creams are also used to treat frequent yeast infections. A dry vagina plagues many women during menopause --- this condition can be assisted through the use of lubricating creams.

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