What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?

There is no avoiding it. When a woman reaches menopause, she has reached the end of her reproductive years. Most women go through this change naturally, whereas some may go through it sooner due to inherent medical concerns or after procedures such as a hysterectomy. The staff of OB/GYNs at Ideal Gynecology, LLC understand how troubling menopause can get. For this reason, they provide compassionate and thorough care to women approaching menopause. If you suspect you are nearing menopause in McDonough, here are some of the telltale signs and symptoms you should look out for:

Irregular Periods

Menopause is characterized by irregular periods or bleeding between cycles. Once most women notice that their periods are off-track, they often fear they are expectant before they grasp what is actually going on.

You might observe that you bleed more frequently or less frequently than normal. Some ladies experience extremely heavy periods, whereas others get spotting for the better part of the month. Moreover, your periods may last longer or be shorter than usual once you approach menopause.

Hot Flashes

Menopause is associated with a significant reduction in reproductive hormones that are a major player in regulating your body temperature. As your hormone levels change, you might suffer hot flashes. These flashes are a sharp spike in body temperature that causes you to feel hot everywhere. Persistent hot flashes can make it difficult for women to operate, rest, or handle other routine tasks.  

Night Sweats

Night sweats, like hot flashes, could greatly harm your life quality. Night sweats are so bad for some ladies that they have to replace their clothes and bedding many times every night. Besides, they could affect the quantity and quality of sleep you get each night, making you irritable during the day.

Mood Swings and Irritability

Similar to the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the days leading up to your flow, menopause may trigger moodiness and irritability. You may have mood swings for no apparent cause. These changes may occur quickly and are hard to manage.

Libido Fluctuations

Reduced generation of sex hormones could alter your sexual drive. Your disinterest in sex, coupled with heightened vaginal dryness, could lead to tension in your relationships, ultimately harming your self-esteem.

Vaginal Dryness

The decrease of estrogen may lead your natural lubricating ability to deteriorate. Vaginal dryness may occur due to insufficient lubrication, causing burning, itching, and discomfort during intercourse. You might also experience vaginal atrophy, a disorder wherein the vaginal tissues thin and diminish.

Anxiety And Depression

Hormone variations during menopause might have an impact on your mental health. Even if they have no history of mental health problems, a huge number of women endure anxiety, despair, and even panic attacks throughout their perimenopause years.

Cognitive Problems

As you approach menopause, you might realize that you are in a mental fog. Hormone imbalances could lead to memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and persistent forgetfulness.

Puberty is not the sole hormonal shift your body will undergo. For women in their mid-40s to mid-50s, menopause is a crucial and natural component of aging. The moment you observe any of the above symptoms, consult an OB/GYN expert who specializes in menopause to discover how you can find relief and continue enjoying life to the fullest. Call the nearest Ideal Gynecology office location or use the online booking tool today to schedule an initial consultation.