Symptoms Of Menopause

QUESTION: What are the most common symptoms of menopause?

ANSWER:

Night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, accompanied by an irregular menstrual cycle, are some of the most common symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a normal life stage that is common to all women as the childbearing years come to a close. Menopause symptoms are associated with a decrease in estrogen production in a woman's body. Some women will experience a gradual lessening of menstrual flow, while others may have heavy periods of bleeding followed by light spotting.

In addition to the more common symptoms of menopause, some women experience the following:

• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Itching and dry skin
• Difficulty concentrating
• Short-term memory impairment
• Joint pain
• Weight gain
• Incontinence
• Discomfort during intercourse due to thinning of the vaginal wall

Most women experience symptoms of menopause somewhere between the mid-40's and late 50's. Most doctors agree that a woman, who has not had a menstrual period for at least one year, is considered to be nearing the end of menopause. Because many of these symptoms may be indicators of other physical or emotional problems, it is best to consult with your doctor if you believe that you may be experiencing the symptoms of menopause.