The Symptoms of Menopause and Dealing with It

Women who have experienced menopause or about to face one is expected to exhibit menopausal symptoms -hot flashes, changes or irregular periods, fatigue, stress, abnormal bleeding (spotting), night sweats, depression, sleeping problems, irritability or mood changes/swings, weight gain, headaches, short-term memory loss, problem in concentrating, vaginal changes, loss of sex drive, vaginal as well as bones thinning and urinary problems.



Experiencing some or all of the symptoms enumerated should not be a cause of alarm for those currently undergoing or those who are in the onset of menopause. A change in lifestyle might be called for as one's diet, sleeping habits, exercise and everyday activities could help ease these symptoms. Consulting your doctor is highly recommended.

Menopause is medically defined as that stage in a woman's life marked by the absence of menstrual flow. Most women fear the thought of experiencing menopause not only because of the fact that childbirth is no longer a possibility but also because of the menopausal symptoms that comes along with it.

There are some doctors and other individuals who can prescribe "alternative medicine", which are hand-mixed medication produced from herbal plants. Although there is no guarantee of any form of relief from using natural treatments, it is said to have no side effects at all.

Common Menstrual Symptoms
Based on estimates, roughly 75% of the female population suffers from distressing symptoms caused by menopause. What may vary, however, are the severity as well as the frequency of the reported manifestations. The following are the most common symptoms during menopause, as well as the suggested remedies for each:

1. Hot flashes - one of the classic indications of menopause. Hot flashes creates a sudden feeling of warmth, in some cases, intense heat that radiates through the body, particularly flowing in the face, neck, head or chest. This is manifested through flushing and intense sweating that may be accompanied with fast heartbeats and anxiety attack. A sudden chill may be felt right after a hot flash.

Hot flashes can last in a matter of seconds or several minutes. Hot flashes may be triggered by a humid weather and confining spaces. Eating hot or spicy foods and drinking alcohol or caffeine can also cause it. A fan should always come in handy whether at home or in the office. Try to wear clothes in layers. Exercise regularly.

2. Irregular vaginal bleeding - this symptom is usually experienced before the actual menopause. The indications are that menstrual flow may be lighter or heavier and the period shorter or longer. Consult your doctor in order to ascertain that the irregular menstrual flow can be attributed to the impending menopause and not caused by any other illness.



3. Mood changes – mood swings is a period of depression and irritable behavior. There is still a debate on the propriety of attributing mood changes to menopause. Any person commonly exhibits mood symptoms. Other factors are being evaluated on their effect on menopausal behavior such as history of depression, sleeping habits (occurrence of disturbance), exercise habits, support system within the family, among others.

4. Sleeping problems - since hot flashes sometimes happen at night, it can lead to sleep disruptions. In the morning, a woman is left feeling tired or tense, even stressed, due to lack of sleep. Exercising regularly, even for at least 30 minutes daily is recommended. The old fashioned idea of drinking warm milk or herbal tea, whichever you prefer, could also help you get a relaxing sleep. Avoid the consumption of caffeine, alcohol or heavy meals before going to sleep.

5. Vaginal changes - a feeling of dryness and thinning of the vagina. Although sexual intercourse may be painful when these vaginal changes occur, the act is still advisable by doctors in order to keep the vagina moist and healthy. There are available vaginal lubricants that can be bought over-the-counter.