Every body is entirely unique. So when you experience signs and symptoms that could be menopause, it may be different than someone else’s experience and it may be confusing. One of the biggest reasons for menopause being so different from woman to woman is that estrogen is used by so many parts of the body. This means that when your body produces less estrogen, there are different signs and symptoms you might experience. We’ll discuss some of the common signs and symptoms of menopause. If you have these symptoms, then contact the experts at Premiere Center for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati to schedule a consultation.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Menopause
Period Changes
The thing that women tend to notice first are changes in their periods. While these changes can be considered normal when one is experiencing menopause, it’s always a good idea to check with a doctor to ensure there are no other issues. Here are some period changes that may indicate the start of menopause:
- Periods that occur close together
- Heavy bleeding
- Spotting
- Periods lasting longer than seven days
- Periods that resume after pausing for a year or more
Hot Flashes
A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat that can occur throughout the entire body. Your neck and face may become flushed and red blotches can appear on your skin. Heavy sweating can occur and is often followed by cold shivering. They can be either mild or strong and usually last between half a minute and 10 minutes. When one is strong, it can wake you from a sound sleep, which is referred to as a night sweat. Hot flashes can be experienced during menopause and unfortunately for a few years after, likely due to changes in estrogen.
Vaginal and Bladder Changes
When experiencing menopause, you may find that you do not make as much moisture in your vagina as you used to, which could make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. You could also encounter other issues such as bladder and vaginal infections. Along with this, some women also find it difficult to hold their urine and may have leaks when laughing, sneezing, and/or exercising. This is referred to as urinary incontinence.
Disturbed Sleep
Some women have a difficult time getting a good night’s sleep around mid-life. It can consist of having a hard time falling asleep, waking up too early, and/or having night sweats.
Changes in Sex Drive
This is a controversial topic among women experiencing menopause. There are some women who become less interested in sex, while others take comfort in knowing they cannot become pregnant. Once you go without a period for an entire year, you are no longer able to become pregnant. There is always a risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, however, and precautions should always be taken.
Mood and Body Changes
Menopause can cause feelings of irritability, and you could feel your mood changing more than you typically have in the past. You may see and feel all kinds of body changes around this time as well.
Contact Us
Not all symptoms affect all women going through menopause. To learn more, consult the experts at Premiere Center for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati. We can treat hormone health in both men and women. Contact our office today to book your appointment.