Understanding Your Menopausal Symptoms

You may never be able to predict how you will react to menopausal symptoms, but you can learn a lot more about what is happening to your body during menopause by seeking out information. Talk to your doctor or read some books about menopause, as the information you learn will help you overcome the menopausal symptoms and live more effectively.

Menopause is the end of the menstruation cycle. It is also a part of the natural aging process in women and occurs when the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. Because of this natural menopause process, a woman is no longer able to become pregnant. The changes leading up to menopause can take several years, unlike the beginning of the menstrual cycle which can take place virtually overnight.

The average age in which women begin experience menopausal symptoms is around 52. There are, of course, cases in which menopause symptoms occur earlier or later than the average age. That is because it is difficult to track the hormonal changes in women when there are so many different variables involved. A woman's lifestyle, how many children she had and her reproductive history all can play a role in the natural menopause symptoms she experiences. The general rule of thumb is that a woman is entering menopause when she has not had her period for an entire year.

Menopausal symptoms may differ from woman to woman because of the hormonal differences. Because of this, some women may experience symptoms of menopause to a more extreme degree than others. Some women will not struggle at all with this life change, while others may need medication or treatment for the issues associated with menopause.

Sometimes even the geographic location of the individual can affect the symptoms of menopause in certain women. It is typically understood that the higher the stress level, the higher the chance of menopausal symptoms becoming increasingly problematic. Women in cultures with less demands on beauty, for example, will likely suffer less with symptoms of menopause than those in cultures with high standards.

Some of the signs and symptoms of menopause include:

- hot flashes
- weight gain
- insomnia
- vaginal dryness
- fatigue
- joint pain
- short-term memory problems
- dry eyes
- itchiness
- mood swings
- urinary problems

Menopausal symptoms are natural indicators that the menstrual cycle is coming to an end. They occur as a natural progression of a woman's life and can be overcome by simple choice. Learn more about menopausal symptoms by talking to your physician, your friends orb y joining a support group.