Menopause Symptoms: What To Expect And What To Do
Most women anticipate menopause with a mixture of regret and relief. And those who are approaching, or already experiencing, their menopausal years, will find that they handle the changes much better if they educate themselves about menopause symptoms.
Hot flashes and mood shifts are the two menopause symptoms with which most women are familiar. But there are a host of other menopause symptoms which can severely disrupt life if left untreated; they include anxiety; depression; tension; insomnia; night sweats; exhaustion; and unpredictable menstruation.
But it is possible for any or all of the menopause symptoms to affect women who are not experiencing menopause, so it is imperative for you to become aware of when you are likely to develop some of them as the result of menopause. Menopause occurs in most women during their mid-forties to late fifties. While menopause in the thirties and sixties does happen occasionally, the great majority of women can expect it in their forties and fifties, and will be able to determine its onset by the physiological changes it brings.
A Closer Look At Menopausal Symptoms
The frequency, duration, and regularity of their menstrual cycles will be one of the first changes most women notice; menopause will effect the production of the hormones which govern their menstrual cycles. Hot flashes are the menopause symptoms which usually follow the menstrual change, along with night sweats.
The night sweats can lead to insomnia; but even those women who are spared the night sweats may spend their nights plagued with anxiety or depression, instead of getting the sleep they desperately need. The depression is a consequence of the body’s hormonal imbalances, and if it becomes sever enough may require medical intervention. Depression can result in other menopause symptoms like exhaustion, headaches, and back, shoulder, or neck tension.
The tension which is on of the more uncomfortable menopause symptoms can surface either physically or emotionally. Because of the sudden mood shifts which come with menopause, many women find themselves snapping at others or finding criticism where none was intended. For those women, a support group of other menopausal and postmenopausal women can be invaluable.
And regular physical checkups are essential so that your menopause symptoms remain manageable. Your doctor can advise you on dietary changes or hormonal replacement therapy which can make the difference between a miserable menopause and a graceful one.