Signs
of Menopause: More than Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
How many signs
of menopause can you list? Some women will only feel one or two
symptoms, while other women will experience several. In fact, the
signs of menopause number in the dozens. Most experts list more
than 30 signs of menopause, some of which you may have never heard
of.
The signs of menopause
usually begin during peri menopause,
also known as premenopause, the years before true menopause occurs.
(True menopause does not happen until one year after your final
menstrual period.) Many signs of menopause feel like an illness
or disease, but menopause is neither of these. Menopause is a normal
and natural part of life. Millions of women around the world are
feeling at least one of the following signs of menopause right now:
- Breast tenderness
- Chronic fatigue
- Irregular periods
- Morning sluggishness
- Depression, anxiety, mood
swings, irritability, feelings of dread and doom
- Facial hair growth
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Headaches and/or migraines
- Muscle cramps
- Memory lapses and lack of
concentration
- Sleeplessness
- Water retention
- Menopause
weight gain
- Incontinence
- Irregular heart beat
- Loss of libido
For some women,
the signs of menopause may be amplified by the demands placed upon
her body. Excessive stress, overwork, responsibilities, lack of
sleep, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise are all ways that
women neglect their own health while struggling to take care of
everyone else’s needs. The signs of menopause only add to
a woman’s already overtaxed body and mind which leads many
to believe there is a link between menopause
and depression.
If you have been
experiencing one or more signs of menopause, it’s comforting
to know the signs are normal, but you also should give your body
the care and support it needs to stay healthy as you age. Women
should also be aware that the signs of menopause can also be signs
of more serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and
thyroid problems.
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