Menopause is something that a woman cannot avoid, just as she could not avoid puberty when she was younger. The signs of menopause can begin several years before a woman actually goes into menopause, and many women have to deal with symptoms of menopause for months or years after she has already gone through the process. Menopause usually begins when a woman is in her mid-40, but it can start earlier or later in some women, depending upon her body condition. For women who are wondering about menopause symptoms, here are 10sure Signs you can look out for.
10 Sure Signs of Menopause
1. Periods Are Not Consistent
As you age and hit the time in which menopause usually sets in, your period may no longer be consistent. There may be times when there is a heavy flow and times when there is a light flow. These may not occur each month, and there may be a lot of spotting in between periods.
When periods are not as they should be, be sure that you take a pregnancy test to rule this out. If not pregnant, then chances are menopause is starting. Be sure that if you do have a period for a year or so, you do talk to your doctor to rule out any other issues besides menopause, such as a cancer.
2. Hot Flashes
Women that go through menopause often experience hot flashes. This is considered one of the menopause symptoms that undoubtedly indicate a woman is going through menopause. This is caused by a low amount of estrogen hormone in the body, and more than half of women have experienced these flashes.
The good news is that you can correct this hormone level with several remedies that are out there. Talk with your doctor for suitable option.
3. Vaginal Dryness and Pain
Though vaginal dryness can happen at any time to a woman, during menopause this gets worse and worse. This is due to the levels of estrogen and progesterone changing and the walls of the vagina no longer have that natural moisture. When this is an issue, sex can become painful, and even cause bleeding from the friction.
This can be avoided through the use of a water based lubricant when having sex or when dryness becomes an issue.
4. Mood Swings
For many women, a telltale sign of having menopause is the mood swings. Often, the woman feels as though she is on a roller coaster. One minute she may be happy and carefree, the next minute she may be crying and upset. This is due to the hormones fluctuating in the body, and this fluctuation is affecting the mental abilities of the woman.
The good news is that through getting these hormones under control, women can also stop the wild mood swings, which can help her to feel better during this change in the life. Besides, women should know feeling blue is just normal and natural during this period, just don't be panic when you experience these feelings.
5. Loss of Libido
The sexual desire that a person feels can change throughout life because ofany factor and events in daily life. For women who are having this, it could be signs of menopause that needs attention. When this happens to menopausal women they are usually low on androgen.
The good news is that this can easily be replaced with over the counter or prescription medications.
6. Frequent Urination or Urinary Incontinence
When a woman goes through menopause, the walls of her vagina lose their elasticity. This can result in feeling as though she needs to frequently urinate, or even having no control over her body.
Women can try to help this issue through staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and utilizing Kegal exercises to help build the muscles back up in this area. If these suggestions do not work, then talking to a doctor is needed.
7. Sleeping Problem
It is recommended that each person gets 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. However, when a woman is going through menopause, she may find that it is hard to go to sleep and stay asleep for long.
Women need to ensure that they are taking the time to use breathing techniques and relaxation techniques to help before bed. Consider taking a warm bath, reading a book or deep breathing exercise to go to sleep easier and for longer. Try to avoid such things like watching television or using a computer/cell phone as this can make you stay awake longer, due to the brightness of these screens.
8. Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common signs of menopause that women complain about. Estrogen is responsible for energy, and when this is fluctuating constantly, a woman can feel tired and fatigued to the point that she feels awful. She may be irritate and have a harder time concentrating as well.
The good news is that this can be managed though the use of hormone replacements that are available, as well as getting the right amount of rest that is needed.
9. Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection is often described as producing a painful urination and always feeling the need to urinate. When this is the case in women who are going through menopause, chances are this is to be blamed on the fluctuating hormones in the body. Hormones are responsible for helping the urinary tract.
You will need to see a doctor in order to diagnose and treat the infection if it is present with a round of antibiotics.
10. Tissue Changes
When you get older, the skin and hair change. For women who are experiencing menopause symptoms, their skin could become thinner and lose the elasticity, while hair becomes more dry and brittle. This is due to not having enough hormones in your body that is needed, especially the estrogen that is responsible for the moisture in your skinand even in the vagina.
You can help relieve the condition by avoiding using harsh products to the hair and ensuring that you are balancing your estrogen in the body.