Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is something that not a lot of women prefer to talk about, and the majority of the symptoms occur during the stage of perimenopause. It’s worth mentioning that a number of women endure menopause and experience almost no symptoms or complications. However, some women deal with several unpleasant symptoms, and many of the undesirable symptoms occur during the perimenopause stage and last for several years.

Almost all of the symptoms are the result of reduced hormone production. The two female sex hormones that are affected are progesterone and estrogen. Since these hormones can have a variety of effects on the body, the different symptoms caused by menopause can vary greatly.

Estrogen is the hormone that is responsible for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle, and it affects several parts of the body. A few areas of the body that are affected by estrogen are the skin, hair, heart, urinary tract, reproductive system, pelvic muscles, breasts, bones, blood vessels and brain.

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Menopause?

One of the major symptoms can cause changes in your menstrual cycle. You might find that your period has become irregular, and you might bleed lighter or heavier than usual. Hot flashes are another common symptom. These are sudden episodes of heat. You might experience hot flashes in the upper part of your body or throughout. The intensity of hot flashes can vary and last between 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

Vaginal dryness is another symptom, and it can result in painful intercourse. The decrease in estrogen production can affect the thin layer of moisture that coats vaginal walls, which can lead to dryness and discomfort.

If you’re going through menopause, you might also experience insomnia and have problems with urinary incontinence. It can have the unfortunate side effect of making you lose control of your bladder because vaginal tissues lose elasticity.

Urinary tract infections are another common symptom. The reduced production of estrogen can cause changes in your urinary tract and make you much more vulnerable to UTIs. A few other unpleasant symptoms are decreased libido, vaginal atrophy, mood swings and depression.

Other Symptoms

Some symptoms are much more common than others. Fatigue is a very common symptom, and it affects most women who’re going through this phase of life. It can cause you to feel tired, drowsy and weak. Some other manifestations of fatigue include irritability, apathy and sleepiness.

Like the other symptoms, fatigue is caused by hormonal changes within your body. Estrogen is responsible for regulating your energy level at the cellular level, so a reduction in estrogen can reduce your energy and result in chronic fatigue.

Menopause can cause many women to experience thinning hair, sleep disorders and concentration difficulties. Hair loss can be a very noticeable symptom, and it’s caused by an estrogen deficiency. If you’re going through this phase of life, a few other symptoms to be aware of are memory lapses, weight gain, dizziness, bloating and brittle nails.

Dealing with the Symptoms

Regardless of the severity of your symptoms, there are ways to get some relief. Talk to our team at Wayzata Cosmetic Surgery and Spa to get all the facts about how your symptoms can be managed. Our office is conveniently located in Wayzata. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.