Symptoms & Signs
Menopausal changes in your body do not occur suddenly and are usually pre-empted by a two to eight year period of fluctuating hormones. This stage usually takes place when a woman is around 45 years of age.
During this phase, women may start to experience the physical, mental and emotional challenges of menopause like irregular bleeding, tiredness and mood swings.
Knowing and understanding what these symptoms are can help you cope better with the impact.
Type of Common Symptoms
1. Physical Symptom
It is estimated that about 70% of westernized women experience physical symptoms. These symptoms are commonly at their worst 2 – 3 years before menstruation ceases, but they may continue for many years afterwards. Including these symptoms:
- Hot flashes/Hot Flushes (heat wave)
- Sleep disturbance/Insomnia
- Night sweats
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Joint pains
- Changes in skin tone
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
2. Mental Symptom
Some women experience psychological symptoms at the menopause, although it is unclear what causes these symptoms, which may have little to do with hormonal fluctuations.
- Memory loss
- Forgetfulness
- Confusion
- Difficulty in focusing and concentrating
3. Emotional Symptom
Life stresses at this age, as well as past problems, are an obvious causative factor. Many women do not realize that the following symptoms are very normal at this stage of life and fear they may be on the verge of a breakdown.
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Difficulty coping
- Tearfulness
- Loss of Confidence
- Reduced libidos
4. Urogenital Symptom
The tissues of the vagina and distal urethra are dependent on oestrogen. Falling oestrogen levels in post-menopausal women lead to a marked drop in vaginal and vulval capillary blood supply, causing red and dry skin (atrophic vaginitis).
There is also a loss of collagen from the underlying tissues. These two factors cause the vaginal epithelium to become thinner and less elastic and the vagina narrower and shorter. As secretions lessen, the vaginal bacteria alter lowering the pH and the vagina becomes more susceptible to infection. At least 50% of women will suffer from it.
- vaginal dryness
- urinary problems