Signs & Symptoms of the Menopause

Menopause does not come at a set age, nor do women experience the same symptoms at the same level of severity. By definition, menopause happens after one full year without menstruation. What are termed "menopause symptoms" are the signs and effects of going through that year or more before completing one year of finished menstrual periods. Menopause can happen naturally with age or surgically after a hysterectomy. Although not all women will exhibit all 35 possible symptoms, some will have many of them, and their severity will vary.

Mental Changes

• The mental state and brain chemistry undergo many changes during menopause, including irritability, mood swings, frequent crying jags and memory lapses. Disturbing signs of menopause that affect women mentally can be anxiety, feelings of doom or dread, or depression. Women can also experience confusion, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Women's sex drives generally will decrease as well during this time.

Body Changes

• Characteristic body changes in menopausal women are hot and cold flashes, irregular heartbeats and irregular periods. Women can have aches and pains in their joints, muscle tension, bloating and gastrointestinal issues. They can experience a lack of vaginal lubrication, breast tenderness, weight gain and changes in body odor. Some can have itchy skin, hair loss, increased facial hair, incontinence and even electric shocks to the skin. Headaches and allergies can increase, and symptoms of other conditions, such as osteoporosis, can worsen. Some women may suffer from tingling in their hands and feet, gum issues, softer or more brittle fingernails and bad tastes in their mouths. Lastly, body changes can include tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.

Night Changes

• Some symptoms of menopause will affect women at night, such as trouble sleeping. Some may have what are called night sweats, or hot flashes during the evening. Because of this lack of sleep and night sweats, they may subsequently experience a higher occurrence of nightmares and worsening fatigue during the day.

Average Age

• According to MedicineNet.com, the average age to start menopause is 51. Typically, menopause symptoms manifest in women between 45 and 55 years old, with some experiencing symptoms in their 30s (as can be the case when a woman has an early hysterectomy). For a general guide to when to expect your change of life, look to the age your mother was when she began hers. Generally speaking, a daughter will follow closely in line with her mother in menopause.

Medical Intervention

• Although many women will be able to manage their menopause symptoms by layering clothes (for easier adjustment when coping with hot/cold flashes), some women will need medical intervention. If your symptoms are too severe, your doctor may recommend "hormone replacement therapy," a regimen of replacement hormones. You will also need routine health exams to make sure that your body's changes are progressing normally.