Menopause is a process that occurs over months or years. It is the time in a woman’s life when fertility declines, estrogen levels decrease and menstrual periods come to an end. Each woman will experience menopause at a different time and in a different way but the following is a list of core symptoms that are usually experienced in menopause.
Hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are the most common symptom of menopause. Up to 85 percent of women going through menopause will report experiencing these at one time or another. And unfortunately, hot flashes can last anywhere from a few months to years.
If your hot flashes and night sweats are mild you may not feel the need to do anything about it just yet. But if their presence starts to interfere with your sleep or day-to-day activities, consider making an appointment to see your doctor. They may be able to discuss one of the treatment options below that will best suit your needs and circumstances.
Vaginal dryness
As the name suggests, vaginal dryness is usually felt as a dryness within the vaginal area. Vaginal dryness can impact sex, vaginal health, and urinary health. It can also weigh on emotional health and confidence too.
Vaginal dryness may be associated with:
- Itchiness in and around your vagina
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Recurrent UTIs
Vaginal creams can be used to help treat dryness while lubricants can be applied before intercourse. If neither of these options are effective then a more holistic method of treating menopausal symptoms may be needed.
Emotional changes
Some of the emotional changes experienced by women undergoing perimenopause or menopause can include:
- Irritability
- Feelings of sadness
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
If these emotions come on suddenly and without warning, there’s a chance it could be related to menopause. Especially if you notice these changes where they didn’t exist in the past or pre-menopause. In general, all of these emotions are best managed by understanding how to reduce stress and figuring out if there are any particular situations that trigger them.
Weight gain
Our weight naturally fluctuates over the course of our lives. Additionally, weight gain when younger or before the presence of kids was likely easier to lose. But menopause can add another dimension to weight gain. In fact, many women gain weight around the menopause transition.
The hormonal changes of menopause might make weight gain more likely around the abdomen as opposed to the hips and thighs. However, hormonal changes alone don’t necessarily cause menopause weight gain. Weight gain is still a function of lifestyle factors, aging and genetics.
Sadly, there is no magic cure for dealing with weight gain. Healthy eating and exercise are still the best tools available to us. If you need help with starting either, your doctor may be a resource to consider.
When to see your doctor for menopausal symptoms
The degree to which menopausal symptoms are experienced will be felt differently by each woman. It is advised that if any symptoms -physical, emotional or psychological, starts to affect your quality of life, then make an appointment to see your doctor. Although menopause is a natural process, if it’s affecting your life negatively, seek help. Don’t minimize your symptoms or the impact they might be having on you.
Managing menopause
A number of options exist that can help you successfully manage symptoms. These include
- Lifestyle changes – Diet, exercise and stopping smoking are all changes that should be considered as a first step.
- Medications – Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -HRT is especially useful for the treatment of hot flashes. It is available in pills, patches, creams or injections.
- Bio-identical hormones – Bioidentical hormones are plant-based estrogens that are synthetic. Like traditional HRT, bioidentical hormones come in various forms, including pills, patches, and creams.
- Non-traditional options – Although not used as a first-line treatment option, some women have found success in using non-traditional therapies such as acupuncture, herbal remedies or yoga. These are techniques that are used to promote relaxation, good sleep and stress management.
A combination of these management options may be needed to get your symptoms under control. But in all cases, be sure to speak to your doctor if you are considering trying something new.