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Signs of Menopause

Menopause occurs when a woman ceases to have menstrual periods and when she is no longer fertile. According to the Mayo Clinic, a woman must be without a period for one year before she is considered to be menopausal. The average age of menopause is 51. Menopausal symptoms may begin occurring well before a woman experiences the last of her menstrual cycles. The time period before menopause is called perimenopause and it may last up to eight years. Menopause is triggered by the decreased production of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones, which are produced by the ovaries, control menstruation. When the ovaries eventually shut down completely, menstruation will cease to occur.

  1. Hot Flashes

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of menopausal women have hot flashes at some time. These hot flashes cause a woman to suddenly feel hot, mostly in the facial and upper body area. The women may appear flushed and sweaty. In addition, hot flashes may be accompanied by a fast heartbeat, fatigue and dizziness. Hot flashes may last just a few minutes or as long as half an hour. The frequency and duration of hot flashes varies from one woman to the next. Hot flashes may be causes as a result of a malfunctioning hypothalamus. The hypothalamus controls body temperature.

    Sleep Problems

    • Women who are in the perimenopause and menopause stages may have difficulty sleeping. They may sometimes experience insomnia and as a result not get adequate amounts of sleep. Also, they may be abruptly woken up by night sweats and have trouble getting back to sleep afterwards. Some women also experience hot flashes during the night which keep them awake for periods of time during the night. The lack of restorative sleep during the night may in turn lead to day time irritability and mood swings.

    Decreased Vaginal Lubrication

    • Women nearing menopause may experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness may cause intense itching in the vaginal area. It may also cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the vaginal area. Vaginal dryness often leads to decreased sexual desire because dryness usually results in pain and discomfort during intercourse. Sometimes increased urination and increased urinary urgency accompany vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can be treated with over-the-counter sexual lubricants such as KY Jelly, which is a water-based sexual lubricant. Silicone-based lubricants may be used as well.

    Emotional Symptoms

    • Women may experience emotional symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety and depression during perimenopause and menopause. Some women may experience increased irritability as well. Mood changes may be the result of hormonal changes, but they may also be the result of sleep deprivation. Prior to menopause and perimenopause, a women becomes accustomed to her hormone levels. When perimenopause and menopause occur, the fluctuating hormones may lead to emotional upset. These emotional symptoms often do not require medical treatment, but medications can be used if symptoms begin to interfere with daily life functioning.

    Other Symptoms

    • Most women will have irregular periods for a period of time leading up to menopause. Periods may also change by becoming longer, short, lighter or heavier. A women approaching menopause may notice weight gain, especially in the abdominal region. In addition, the breasts may lose some of their roundness. Some women may experience thinning of their hair. Women may also experience more fatigue than usual, difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness, stomach upset, increased allergies and increased facial hair.

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