Some women report mild and short-lived menopause symptoms, or symptoms that came on with some measure of severity subsided over time. For others, these symptoms can be so severe that they interfere with daily routines or activities and may leave women feeling exhausted, frustrated or irritable.
This natural transition can include a wide range of symptoms and signs, but here are five key signals that may mean you’re entering menopaus.
Menstrual Changes
For some women, there is a regular monthly menstrual cycle until the final period. Most, however, will experience noticeable changes in their cycles in the months leading up to menopause. Some women will experience heavier or lighter periods than usual, as well as irregular periods, sometimes missing months of menstrual cycles at a time. Skipping periods during perimenopause is to be expected, but pregnancy still can occur during this time, so if you experience any other symptoms of pregnancy, you should still take a pregnancy test.
If you have not had your period for 12 consecutive months and begin spotting, make an appointment with your gynecologist to check for conditions that the spotting may indicate, including cancer.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are perhaps one of the most commonly known symptoms of menopause. For some women, hot flashes are mild and unintrusive; for others, they may leave sufferers standing in front of an open freezer seeking relief. Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden sensation of heat that may occur all over the body or just in the upper torso, neck and face. This feeling may be accompanied by sweating and flushing and may last for less than a minute or up to 10 minutes, according to the National Institute on Aging. For most women, these hot flashes lessen in intensity over time.
Because hot flashes can be so intense that they become disruptive, there are treatment options that women may choose to try that will lessen this and other symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you experience serious or disruptive menopausal changes to find out what options may be available for you.
Vaginal Dryness/Painful Intercourse
When women enter menopause, their bodies produce lowered levels of estrogen and progesterone. These lowered levels may result in a decrease in the moisture that coats the vaginal walls. A related condition, vaginal atrophy, is characterized by thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls, according to HealthLine. This condition and vaginal dryness both can lead to painful sexual intercourse. For some women, these conditions can lead to a decreased libido, which is a natural part of aging. Other women may experience an increased desire for sexual activity, while some report no changes. If this decreased desire is a result of painful intercourse, there are many treatments and options to manage this symptom.
Water-based lubricants may be beneficial during intercourse, and both over-the-counter and prescription vaginal moisturizers, estrogen creams and vaginal rings may ease painful or uncomfortable dryness.
Urinary Dysfunction
Perimenopausal and menopausal women may experience some level of urinary dysfunction. This can range from a frequent urge to urinate, even without a full bladder, to losing control of bladder function, or incontinence. These problems arise because, as the vaginal and urethral tissues lose their elasticity, pelvic muscles may be weakened. Kegel exercises and lifestyle changes, such as giving up or minimizing alcohol intake, can both help with urinary issues related to menopause. If the problem persists or becomes disruptive in your daily life, talk to your doctor about options for prescription medications that can help.
Menopausal women may find themselves facing chronic or frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) as a result of lowered hormone levels and changes in the urinary tract. These infections can be treated with antibiotics, and your doctor may be able to give you a prescription to keep these pills on hand to treat a new infection as it arises.
Depression and Mood Changes
Just as women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) experience mood swings or depression as a result of hormone fluctuations during regular cycles, lowered hormone levels in menopausal women can affect the moods and mental states for women. Symptoms that include anxiety, irritability and extreme mood swings can accompany depression, which may be chemically or psychologically induced, because of the major life changes that menopause signals, including the end of childbearing years.
While these feelings are natural, if your symptoms become overwhelming, interfere with daily routines or if depression becomes severe, talk to your doctor or make an appointment to meet with a professional who can discuss options to manage these symptoms and cope with depression, including medication. According to the North American Menopause Society, hormone contraceptives and hormone therapy may work as off-label solutions to deal with some of these symptoms.
For some, regular exercise, a healthy diet and adequate vitamin D intake (especially important for menopausal women who are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis), can help ease the psychological and emotional symptoms associated with menopause, while decreasing risks of developing other conditions for which they are now at a greater risk. Spending as little as 20-30 minutes outside in the sun is enough for many to get their daily dose of vitamin D. And for those with fair skin, as little as 10 minutes a day is enough.
As with any incidence of depression, if your feelings become overwhelming or you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact a physician immediately to discuss available options.