Menopause Symptoms
If you are a woman approaching the middle of life, hormonal changes are going to kick in and the menopause process is going to start. Learn what symptoms to expect during menopause.
Condition
Menopause is the process a woman goes through that causes her monthly periods to end. During menopause, a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs and produce fewer female hormones. When it is over, she can no longer get pregnant naturally.
As women approach mid-life, estrogen levels start to fluctuate and then drop. Most women notice that their periods stop being predictable. They may become shorter, longer, heavier or lighter than usual, and the spacing between periods may change, until a woman starts to skip her periods altogether. Eventually, they will cease.
This condition is a normal part of the aging process that women undergo, but its associated symptoms can vary greatly from woman to woman. As hormones change to accommodate normal menopausal changes, women may experience a wide range of complications, from insomnia to fatigue to headaches.
Menopause happens naturally to women at the end of their childbearing years, usually as they approach mid-life, when they stop ovulating and their bodies stop preparing for the possibility of bearing a child.
In the United States, the average age for menopause is 51 for non-smokers and 49 for smokers, with a typical age range somewhere between 47 and 55 years. Some women experience menopause sooner — before age 45 is considered early menopause, and before age 40 is considered premature menopause. Women who undergo hysterectomy surgery may experience menopause sooner than they would have naturally. Regardless, any woman who is approaching the middle of life can expect hormonal changes to kick in soon and for the menopause process to start. If symptoms are especially difficult or hard to handle, it can be helpful to seek support from health care professionals.
Are you or someone you love experiencing difficult symptoms and side effects that you believe are caused by menopause? Has transitioning into this new season of life created complications? Perhaps it’s time to find a health professional near you that can help. Through proper menopause treatment, you can get through this experience comfortably, without significant struggle or discomfort. When you meet with a medical professional that studies your specific situation and symptoms, you can find out which treatments are best for your needs.
If you are a woman approaching the middle of life, hormonal changes are going to kick in and the menopause process is going to start. Learn what symptoms to expect during menopause.
You feel tired, overwhelmed, and out of control. You’re not crazy—it’s one of the common symptoms of perimenopause (the first stage of menopause, usually in the early 40s): mood swings.
Up to 75% of women going through menopause will experience hot flashes. Hot flashes can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Learn more about the causes, tips to help cope, and treatment options.
Symptoms seen early in menopause, like hot flashes and mood swings, may need to be treated if they are interfering with a normal quality of life.
Find an endocrinologist today to ensure that you are on the path to health with the right medical care. Keep Your Body In Balance!
Learn more about your personal journey with menopause. You don't have to suffer in silence any longer. Let's Talk About It!
The Hormone Health Network is the public education affiliate of the Endocrine Society dedicated to helping both patients and doctors find information on the prevention, treatment and cure of hormone-related conditions.
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