10 menopause symptoms | Living Healthier

Menopause is a natural process of ageing, in which women will stop having their monthly cycles and will lose their ability of conceiving. While this is an irreversible process, it is accompanied with the loss of the ovarian sensitivity to hormones (gohadotrophins) produced by the brain. This condition occurs at the age of 40s – 50s and is diagnosed after 12 months of your last menstruation. Even though this is a normal physiological change in the human body, it is accompanied with a myriad of symptoms and the length of time over which these symptoms will manifest, widely differ in each individual... 1. Hot flushes. This is one of the most common symptoms of menopause and during a hot flush, the body will feel sudden warmth or heat which spreads all over the body creating a redness, which is noticeable on the face and the upper body. These hot flushes can vary from mild feeling of hotness to a sensation of being surrounded by flames, and they occur as the body’s reaction to a reduction of levels of estrogen. If the level of this hormone reduces gradually, it will cause milder and fewer hot flushes while an abrupt fall of estrogen levels can increase its severity. 2. Night sweats. These are known as night hot flushes accompanied with sweating and also known as ‘sleep hyperhydrosis’. The severity of night sweats can vary from mild to severe and can be precipitated by environmental factors such as warm sleeping environment. As they occur at night, they disturb the sleep and also the daily activities the next day. More symptoms on next page... 3. Irregular periods. Many changes occur in the menstruation as a woman slides into the menopause. Starting from lighter to heavier periods to late and early cycles, women will notice a change in their menstruation. For some the cycle will end in a fewer days while for some it will continue more than the usual. “Spotting” or bleeding between periods is also commonly seen as a sign of changing estrogen and progesterone levels and might be annoying due to its irregularity. 4. Loss of libido. Even though it is normal to have an Ebb and Flow in libido throughout life, during menopause you may face a sudden drop of sexual drive. This can be troubling as it might affect your relationship. A low sex drive is also a sign of hormone irregularity and is often seen during menopause. 5. Vaginal dryness. During menopause the usual soft and moist feeling of the vagina will be reduced and many women will feel itchy and irritated. Due to reduced levels of estrogen, the vaginal lining will become thin, dry and less elastic. If there is not enough lubrication whilst having sex, it may be uncomfortable and can cause further irritation to the vagina, making it more prone to vaginal infections. In extreme cases of vaginal dryness there may be the appearance of vaginal atrophy, in which the vagina becomes smaller in width and length. This can be one of the most emotionally distressing symptoms of menopause and might require medical help. 6. Mood swings. It is natural to experience mood swings during menstruations, and this is also the case during menopause unfortunately. Women will experience a rollercoaster of emotions – feeling up and the then down without reason. It is very common to experience rapid changes of emotions at different times. Sometimes, it can be abrupt and intense. This is believed to be a result of changes in the mood-regulating neurotransmitters that are affected by changing levels of female sex hormones. A support network, such as your family members, friends and colleagues, to help you cope with this difficult time will help immensely. 7. Fatigue. It is very common to feel tired, weak and sleepy during the time of menopause. Also, some women feel as if they have lost their energy. This is sometimes accompanied with irritability and decreased attention. The sudden appearance of fatigue which leaves a woman unable to enrol in their daily activities is known as “crashing fatigue”. Fatigue is experienced as a result of dropping estrogen levels which reduce energy levels. Chronic fatigue can have a huge impact on daily life disturbing the work productivity, efficacy and quality of life. 8. Hair loss or hair thinning. The functions of hair follicles are regulated by estrogens and the falling levels of this hormone during menopause can lead to hair loss and hair thinning. Hair on the head as well as in the other parts of the body can be affected by this and women will notice this more when they comb their hair or when they are in the shower. Even though this does not have any effect on physical health, loss of hair can affect a woman psychologically. There are many ways of treating this condition, such as good nutrition, which can play an essential role in reducing hair loss. 9. Weight gain. Another physical change that can be noticed during menopause is weight gain. You may notice that you have increased weight and fat accumulation centered around the waist and the abdomen. As low levels of estrogen stimulate fat cell retention, more fat cells will be stored in the body. Even a normal diet can therefore make a woman gain weight during menopause, however dietary changes and exercise might help in combating this condition. 10. Breast pain. Typically, breast pain will also accompany the other symptoms. Pain, discomfort, soreness or tenderness will be noticed when touching or applying pressure on the breast. This almost resembles the breast pain that occurs during menstruation. It is normal to feel these changes at different times and if this becomes severe, it is necessary to consult a doctor to make sure that it is not a result of an underlying condition. The above are the more common physical and psychological symptoms of menopause, and if they are severe, please seek medical support as soon as possible. Featured photo by Kues1

7. Fatigue

8. Hair loss or hair thinning

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