Women experience different symptoms of menopause. Some women don’t experience anything at all. The difference lies in the reaction of a woman’s body to the deteriorating production of hormones particularly estrogen.
Estrogen affects a woman’s menstrual cycle, our reproductive system and some parts of the body such as muscles and joints to name a few.
Studies also reveal that about 15 chemicals are linked to the onset of early menopause in some women.
Listed below are the most common symptoms women undergo during menopause.
Menstrual cycle irregularity
Normally, menstrual flow comes every month unless you have an irregular cycle or if you are pregnant. But if you are already in your menopausal age, you will notice that your menstrual period will sometimes skip for months then will be back again, and the amount of blood flow will vary from heavy to light.
There are times that your menstrual period is also associated with pain. If the pain you experience is severe make an appointment with the doctor immediately.
Sleeping problems
This is the most common symptoms of menopause, insomnia. You can not sleep as good as you used to, and will feel uneasy in bed for you will find it hard to sleep again after waking up in the wee hours of the morning. Add to that are the hot flushes and night sweats that you experience.
Hot flashes and night sweats
Together with insomnia, hot flushes and night sweats are common symptoms of menopause.
Hot flushes occur when your body’s temperature rise abnormally for 30 seconds to 10 minutes. The hot flush that you experience varies from mild to strong heat level that is sometimes associated with rapid heartbeat.
On the other hand, a night sweat is when you experience excessive sweating during nighttime that sometimes disrupts your sleep.
To help lessen this symptom it is best to stay away from stress and spicy foods.
Lack of interest in sexual activities
Low production of hormones (estrogen, testosterone and progesterone) during menopause is directly related to the decline of a woman’s sexual drive. Your body will have a delayed clitoral reaction time and sometimes you will have a slow or no orgasmic response at all.
Vaginal atrophy
Vaginal atrophy is a primary factor when a woman’s libido is decreased.
When estrogen production is decreased, vaginal lubrication is also decreased and there is a thinning and inflammation on a woman’s vaginal wall. Most common signs that you have this symptom are feeling a stinging, itching or burning sensation around your vaginal opening. It can also cause pain whenever you have sexual intercourse with your partner.
Urination inconsistency
If you have vaginal atrophy, you will also feel the urgent need to urinate frequently and sometimes experience pain during urination. It is best to consult your doctor if the pain is unbearable, and to avoid being susceptible to urinary tract infection.
Joint and muscle pain
Menopausal women can feel muscle pain and stiffness in the hands, elbows, neck and shoulders during menopause. Fifty percent of women experience joint pains. This is because the hormones have direct impact on how a woman’s muscles and joints behave. You can lessen pain and stiffness by monitoring your diet and lessening intake of sugar.
Researches on menopausal symptoms reveal that severe hot flashes during menopause may put bones at risk.
Psychological symptoms
During menopause, depression, memory loss, mood swings or anxiety are triggered due to the effect of low production of hormones in the brain. Outside factors are old age, being alone and limited physical activities which can also add up to the depression a woman experiences during menopausal stages.
Other symptoms
Aging and menopause also come with changes in the skin or the hair. You will notice that your skin will start to wrinkle and it becomes dry and your hair will lose its shine and become dry.
If you wonder how long a woman experiences these symptoms, studies reveal that menopausal symptoms can last longer than one thinks.