Let’s discuss the signs of menopause in women. Some are mild, while others truly stand up and get your attention. When you look at the signs of menopause in women, the first that comes to a lot of women’s minds are hot flashes. There are others signs of menopause in women you’ll want to be aware of. Let’s figure out why these things happen first.
When the ovaries stop producing estrogen, and periods cease for one year; this is the time of life called menopause. It is a natural process, however complex. When estrogen levels are low, menopausal symptoms begin to occur. What are the symptoms? Some women may experience none; while others may run the gamut from hot flashes to mood swings to night sweats. Other symptoms may include irregular periods, and vaginal or urinary tract infections. It is estimated that about 75% of women report some troublesome symptoms during menopause, but the severity and frequency of symptoms actually varies from woman to woman. Let’s discuss some of these symptoms in depth.
Irregular bleeding can occur up to menopause. In some cases, periods may be of a short duration, or last longer than usual. In addition, the bleeding may vary from light to heavy. The time between periods may also fluctuate.
When you discuss signs of menopause in women, Hot flashes are often one of the first things mentioned. What is a hot flash? It is a sudden feeling of intense heat which encompasses your entire body. For example: your face feels very red; you begin to sweat, and sometimes experience anxiety or irritability. It is uncomfortable at best; but once you understand the cause, you can deal with it. Hot flashes can last from seconds to minutes. However, it must be said that it does feel quite longer. Again, it varies from woman to woman.
While studies suggest hot flashes occur in the first two years after menopause and gradually lessen, there is also documentation that some women have hot flashes for several years after menopause; up to 40 years or longer. This is evidenced by another case in which a woman is still having hot flashes at the age of 80. Disheartening, but true! In addition, hot flashes that occur during the night can disrupt sleep. In fact, some women report that their bed sheets become soaked with sweat when they have a hot flash during the night.
Vaginal dryness can also occur, as may itching or irritation. Although few women experience serious problems with vaginal dryness and thinning right after menopause, both dryness and thinning continue to occur over time. Some doctors estimate that at least half of all women older than 60 years have some degree of vaginal dryness. Regular sexual intercourse can help to keep the vagina moist and toned.
Mood swings occur frequently in menopausal women. In fact, these symptoms mimic PMS. Now that we’ve looked at signs of menopause in women, why not browse through the rest of the articles and see some other great information.
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