Common Menopause Symptoms

The most dreaded thought for most women approaching menopause are the symptoms that many will experience during those significant years of their lives. Of course, not all women are created equally. The symptoms and their severity vary from woman to woman. Some will fly by with hardly a sign, while others are inundated with hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Whether a woman is experiencing natural or premature menopause sometimes makes a difference, as well.  Sudden, premature menopause, due to surgery or a medical condition, may involve harsher symptoms because of the immediate hormonal changes the body must endure. At any rate, however, these physical occurrences during either type of menopause are manageable at most times. A doctor would best advise of the comfort measures available while trailing through the menopause years.

What is a Hot Flash?

The most common, apprehended symptom of menopause is the hot flash, which is a brief sense of the body copiously overheating with no means of gratifying and immediate relief. These intermittent episodes unexpectedly occur, and vary in duration and severity. Whether for 30 seconds or over 5 minutes, hourly or weekly, this maddening flushing sensation will, often times, be accompanied with irritability and anxiety. This symptom will often appear in the earlier stages of menopause, and be moderate enough to continue normal activities at the time. Then again, a severe hot flash will cause a woman to stop whatever she is doing to deal with the annoying discomfort of profusely sweating. Once again, a doctor could certainly suggest a method of treatment to successfully manage severe hot flashes.

Night Sweats and Menopause

Like hot flashes, night sweats also vary in severity from a moderate level to severe. Almost 50 percent of menopausal women experience this sleep disturber during the beginning of menopause, which may last for a few years. A night sweat episode will forcefully bring a woman out of a comfortable, deep sleep, leaving her with saturated pajamas and an interrupted night of decent rest. An end result is a morning with a feeling of exhaustion and irritability due to sleep deprivation. Night sweats seem to come on as suddenly as a hot flash, without warning or immediate relief unless a cold shower is nearby. It is possible to ease the possibility of night sweats with various treatments a doctor may suggest.

Vaginal Signs of Menopause

As estrogen levels decrease during menopause, so does the adequate lubricant needed to prevent vaginal dryness and itchiness. Also, the decrease of estrogen leads to a thinning of the vaginal walls. As a result, a woman is in constant discomfort with pain or itching. Also, lack of libido will usually occur due to the irritating, vaginal dryness. There are products on the market which can be used to replace a woman’s natural lubrication. A doctor would be resourceful for suggesting topical and other forms of treatments to prevent vaginal discomforts and other common menopause symptoms.