Menopause Signs & Symptoms
Menopause signs
Menopause is a natural part of the aging process, this is caused by changes that take place physiologically and physically. Menopause signs are different from woman to woman, for some they experience many symptoms others display none apart from a cease in the menstrual cycle. The early stages of menopause are known as menopause, and can start from as early as 35. perimenopause is when the body slowly stops producing estrogen, it can take a number of years. Menopause is reached when the ovaries stop producing eggs for fertilization and there has been no period for twelve months.
Common Menopause signs
Hot flushes & Sweating
This is one of the most common menopause signs, these attacks can happen at any time and on average can last three to seven minutes. Medical experts are still not clear why this happens,it is thought the skins blood cells signal the sweat glands to become active. This is due to the automatic controls of the nervous system becoming erratic because of changes in the hormone levels. The skin cells which control the sweat glands would only change if the body was to hot.
Sleeping pattern
Menopause signs such as trouble sleeping or insomnia is another symptom experienced by many woman. It is thought that this symptom of menopause is caused by an imbalance of hormones, some woman are kept awake by hot flushes.
Vaginal Dryness/ itching
Menopause signs such as vaginal dryness is thought to be caused by a reduced amount of estrogen being produced by the body. Estrogen is a major factor is vaginal health, not only does it provide lubrication to keep the vagina moist but it also helps protect a the vagina from bacterial infections.
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Menopause signs of irregular periods is the symptom of which most woman will first experience during the menopause stage. Once again this is cause by a reduction of hormones in the body preparing for the body to cease releasing eggs for fertilization. It is important to remember that it is normal to have two irregular periods in a year. A woman will symptoms of menopause will experience irregular periods, they may be shorter or longer.
Mood Swings/irritability
Menopause signs show that mood swings are very common during the menopause. Like the other symptoms of menopause it is thought by medical professionals to be caused by a change in hormone levels. The body is not producing the same levels of estrogen and progestogen as before. This causes periods to become erratic and hormone levels are up and down. Remembering that woman can experience mood swings at some point in their life which can be due to PMS or just a bad day.
These are just a few of the menopause signs, below is a list of other menopause symptoms that woman have reported to suffer.
Other Menopause Signs & Symptoms
- Irregular heart beat
- Loss of libido
- Dry vagina
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trouble concentrating,
- disorientation, mental confusion
- memory lapses
- Incontinence,
- Skin may become itchy
- Aching, sore joints or muscles
- An Increase of tension in the muscles
- Breast become tender
- Headaches or migraines
- indigestion, flatulence, gas pain,
- nausea
- Bloating
- Increase in allergies
- Weight gain especially around the middle area
- Hair may become thin
- facial hair
- Dizziness
- Tingling in the extremities
- Gum disease, gums may become weak causing an increase in bleeding
- Changes in taste Osteoporosis
- Finger nails may become brittle
Treatment for Menopause Signs & Symptoms
There are a number of treatments available to ease the symptoms of menopause, there are things that you can do naturally to reduce the symptoms. For example keeping a healthy balanced diet and taking vitamin supplements.
HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is a popular option for many woman. It can provide relief by replacing the hormones produced by the ovaries. It is usually recommended to be taken for two years whilst during and after menopause. It can help relieve or reduce symptoms such as hot sweats, vaginal dryness and headaches. HRT can be taken in tablet form or in the form of a patch (transdermally).
It is important to remember menopause is very different from woman to woman. Some of the above symptoms are rare and woman may only experience a few. It is important to seek medical advice when experiencing Menopause signs, although they are not life threatening treatments can be offered.
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