Although menopause occurs naturally in all women in the later years of middle age, it can also be induced by some cancer treatments, a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy (the removal of the uterus and both ovaries), or primary ovarian insufficiency. Regardless of the initiating factor, the symptoms of menopause follow a similar pattern. However, each woman’s body is different and everyone experiences menopause differently.
Reproductive Changes
As a woman’s body begins going through menopause, menstrual cycles begin to change and disappear. Their duration, frequency, and intensity may vary significantly from one woman to another and from previous years of menstruation. Once menopause is final (12 months from the last period), procreation is no longer possible. Some women mistake this for an inability to have a satisfying sex life. And while menopause often results in vaginal dryness, there are many treatment options that can improve this. Some women also that their breasts lose the fullness of previous years.
Physical Changes and Difficulties
Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause and possibly one of the more uncomfortable ones. Additionally, some women experience severe cases of night sweats, or waking up soaking in sweat regardless of the temperature of the room. Because metabolism slows down with the onset of menopause, some women face an increase in weight, making diet and exercise even more important as the years continue. Hair may get thinner, and skin is often dry as a byproduct of the hormonal changes of menopause as well.
Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties
Many women also experience mood changes, similar to those associated with premenstrual syndrome. These are often short or lengthy bouts of irritability, anger, sadness, or anxiety. However, this is also largely associated with the sleep disruption caused by menopause. Women are often forced to manage insomnia during menopause; night sweats can make uninterrupted sleep difficult as well. Experts say the lack of sleep often results in mood swings. Concentration and memory may also be affected.
Urinary Problems
Over time, the walls and tissue of the vagina tend to become weak and lose elasticity, especially among women who have had children. During menopause, women are more likely to develop urinary tract infections, but this change in the vaginal tissue can also result in incontinence, an inability to hold urination. Additionally, an increased frequency of urination may be present. The stress on the body of coughing, laughing, and sneezing is enough for some women with stress urinary incontinence to force urine out of the body regardless of the situation.
