Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See the Healthcare ProviderNext in Menopause GuideHow Menopause Is Treated
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to See the Healthcare Provider
Next in Menopause Guide
The dropping levels of estrogen and other hormones that defines menopause—or the the lead-up period known asperimenopause—can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, ranging from vaginal dryness to night sweats to mood swings. The average age for naturally-occurring menopause is 51, with the typical range being between 40 and 54.
Though every person will experience this differently, some menopause symptoms are more common than others. There are also symptoms that go beyond undesirable and are considered serious concerns.
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For many people, the symptoms of menopause are mild, while others find them more than bothersome. The following are symptoms that are commonly reported.
Menstrual Irregularities
Often, the first symptom of impending menopause is a change in the length of your cycle. It may be longer between periods, shorter between periods, or a combination of the two.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
When this occurs during sleep, it’s called a night sweat. Night sweats can disrupt your sleep, which can have an impact on your overall health and wellness.
While hot flashes tend to peak during the early part of postmenopause, some women experience them for several years.
Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems
As estrogen is less available, the walls of the bladder, urethra, and vagina become drier and less flexible. This makes the tissue more easily damaged and more prone to infection.
Some of the symptoms of this loss of elasticity include:
Mood Swings
As estrogen and progesterone decline, some people describe themselves as “emotional.” They report being more easily triggered into strong emotional responses such as sadness, anger, irritability, or delight.
Some people see themselves as suddenly unpredictable, which can be unsettling. Often, it prompts them to seek help for this symptom.
Menopausal Mood Problems
Headaches
Both migraines and tension headaches may increase during menopause.Since migraine headaches are vascular in nature, and since the vascular system is more unstable during menopause, migraines can become more frequent and difficult to manage.
Perimenopause and Migraines
Insomnia
Many people in menopause report a greater tendency to be wakeful. Sometimes this is due to night sweats, and other times it’s due to neurological excitability—both of which are more common during menopause. Once awake, they find it difficult to go back to sleep and can suffer from sleep deprivation as a result.
Weight Gain
Memory and Cognitive Changes
Fatigue
Some people experience profound fatigue during menopause. Fortunately, it’s usually temporary and the result of your body’s adjustment to lower estrogen.
If fatigue prevents you from doing your daily activities, or if it is prolonged, see a healthcare provider to rule outother causes.
Decreased Libido
Many people notice that their sexual desire lessens when they become menopausal. Sometimes this is a temporary response to hormone shifts, but it may also be a reaction to other things like stressors or difficult life situations.
If you notice that you desire sex less often or don’t seem to enjoy it, and this creates problems in your life or relationship, talk to your healthcare provider or provider about possible treatments.
How Does Taking Birth Control Pills Affect Menopause?
People have reported many unusual ways that their bodies respond to the change in hormones. Though not common, you might experience:
If you experience any of these, check with your healthcare provider to see whether it’s due to menopause or something more serious.
Early or Induced MenopauseThere are additional concerns for those who have menopause at an early age or have sudden induced menopause due to surgery or injury.Premature menopause:If you go into menopause before age 40, it is considered to be abnormal.Autoimmune disordersare often associated with premature menopause.Induced menopause:If you have an injury to or removal of your ovaries, you can go into menopause abruptly. This often results in more intense menopausal symptoms.
Early or Induced Menopause
There are additional concerns for those who have menopause at an early age or have sudden induced menopause due to surgery or injury.Premature menopause:If you go into menopause before age 40, it is considered to be abnormal.Autoimmune disordersare often associated with premature menopause.Induced menopause:If you have an injury to or removal of your ovaries, you can go into menopause abruptly. This often results in more intense menopausal symptoms.
There are additional concerns for those who have menopause at an early age or have sudden induced menopause due to surgery or injury.
Why Does Menopause Cause Itchy Breasts?
Though menopause happens to every woman and is a natural, healthy process, it can lead to changes that impact your health.
Heavy Bleeding
If you find that your periods are increasingly heavy and/or irregular, and that you have to change your super tampon or maxi pad more than once an hour for eight hours, your bleeding may indicate a health concern.
Cardiovascular Disease
After menopause, a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Unfortunately, this is the leading cause of death for women.
You will need to pay attention to managing your risks for cardiovascular disease. That means ensuring you get enough exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and eating a heart-healthy diet. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage those conditions.
High blood pressure might be the first sign that your cardiovascular system is beginning to show some wear and tear, and it could be associated with menopause.
As your estrogen decreases, the walls of your blood vessels may become less flexible. This can cause your blood pressure to rise, which is a risk factor forstroke and heart disease.
Because blood pressure can climb slowly and unannounced, or suddenly become quite high without any obvious symptoms, it’s worth getting your blood pressure checked at least every six months when you begin to see signs of menopause. You can do it at a local drug store or your healthcare provider’s office, but try to have it done at the same place each time so you can compare it reliably.
See a Healthcare Provider for These Heart-Related Symptoms
Osteoporosis
Menopause leads to rapid loss of bone density, especially in the first few years. This can lead to osteoporosis and increase your risk of breaking your hip, wrist, or spine.
Depression
The hormone changes in menopause can trigger depression, especially if you have a personal or family history of it.Even if you have not had problems with depression in the past, the stresses and hormone shifts that come at this time of life can overwhelm your ability to cope.
Sometimes the combination of situations and hormones will send you into depression despite your best efforts to manage your mood. If you feel this way, speak with your healthcare provider.
Confide in a close friend or family member when you suspect that you may be depressed. If you need a little moral support to see a healthcare provider or counselor, ask your friend or partner to go with you to the first appointment.
What Is Major Depressive Disorder?
While menopause is not a condition that can be “cured,” you can still see your healthcare provider for symptom management, if necessary.
Reasons to make an appointment include:
Also schedule a visit if you are still having periods and they become heavier or more frequent than they had been before perimenopause. These could be signs of precancerous changes or cancer in the uterine lining.
When to Go to the Hospital
If you have any new or unusual symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider to see if you need further evaluation. They may be due to an unrelated condition that should be fully diagnosed and treated.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
A Word From Verywell
You will need time to adjust to and understand your “new” body andpaying attention to symptomscan help you identify health issues early. Menopause is a great excuse to starttaking good care of yourselfwith exercise, stress management, a better diet, and ensuring you get all of your preventative health checks. Pamper yourself and look forward to your next stages of life.
Eczema Before, During, and After Menopause
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 12(1):43–49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.Nakano K, Pinnow E, Flaws JA, Sorkin JD, Gallicchio L.Reproductive history and hot flashes in perimenopausal women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 21(4):433–439. doi:10.1089/jwh.2011.2999Kim HK, Kang SY, Chung YJ, Kim JH, Kim MR.The Recent Review of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.J Menopausal Med. 21(2):65–71. doi:10.6118/jmm.2015.21.2.65Bromberger JT, Kravitz HM.Mood and menopause: findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) over 10 years.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 38(3):609–625. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.011Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health.7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Sliwinski JR, Johnson AK, Elkins GR.Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind-Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance.Integr Med Insights. 9:17-23. doi:10.4137/IMI.S15682Allshouse AA, Semple AL, Santoro NF.Evidence for prolonged and unique amenorrhea-related symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency.Menopause. 22(2):166-74. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000286Terauchi M, Odai T, Hirose A, et al.Dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women is associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional study.Biopsychosoc Med. 12:21. doi:10.1186/s13030-018-0140-1Triebner K, Johannessen A, Puggini L, et al.Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 137(1):50-57.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.019Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Early or premature menopause.Kolhe S.Management of abnormal uterine bleeding - focus on ambulatory hysteroscopy.Int J Womens Health. 10:127–136. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S98579Garcia M, Mulvagh SL, Merz CN, Buring JE, Manson JE.Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Clinical Perspectives.Circ Res. 118(8):1273–1293. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.307547Finkelstein JS, Brockwell SE, Mehta V, et al.Bone mineral density changes during the menopause transition in a multiethnic cohort of women.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 93(3):861–868. doi:10.1210/jc.2007-1876Additional ReadingCleveland Clinic.Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause.North American Menopause Society, (NAMS). Menopause Practice A Clinician’s Guideline. Mayfield Heights, Ohio.Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The Menopause Years.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 12(1):43–49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.Nakano K, Pinnow E, Flaws JA, Sorkin JD, Gallicchio L.Reproductive history and hot flashes in perimenopausal women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 21(4):433–439. doi:10.1089/jwh.2011.2999Kim HK, Kang SY, Chung YJ, Kim JH, Kim MR.The Recent Review of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.J Menopausal Med. 21(2):65–71. doi:10.6118/jmm.2015.21.2.65Bromberger JT, Kravitz HM.Mood and menopause: findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) over 10 years.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 38(3):609–625. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.011Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health.7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Sliwinski JR, Johnson AK, Elkins GR.Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind-Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance.Integr Med Insights. 9:17-23. doi:10.4137/IMI.S15682Allshouse AA, Semple AL, Santoro NF.Evidence for prolonged and unique amenorrhea-related symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency.Menopause. 22(2):166-74. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000286Terauchi M, Odai T, Hirose A, et al.Dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women is associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional study.Biopsychosoc Med. 12:21. doi:10.1186/s13030-018-0140-1Triebner K, Johannessen A, Puggini L, et al.Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 137(1):50-57.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.019Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Early or premature menopause.Kolhe S.Management of abnormal uterine bleeding - focus on ambulatory hysteroscopy.Int J Womens Health. 10:127–136. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S98579Garcia M, Mulvagh SL, Merz CN, Buring JE, Manson JE.Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Clinical Perspectives.Circ Res. 118(8):1273–1293. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.307547Finkelstein JS, Brockwell SE, Mehta V, et al.Bone mineral density changes during the menopause transition in a multiethnic cohort of women.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 93(3):861–868. doi:10.1210/jc.2007-1876Additional ReadingCleveland Clinic.Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause.North American Menopause Society, (NAMS). Menopause Practice A Clinician’s Guideline. Mayfield Heights, Ohio.Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The Menopause Years.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 12(1):43–49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.Nakano K, Pinnow E, Flaws JA, Sorkin JD, Gallicchio L.Reproductive history and hot flashes in perimenopausal women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 21(4):433–439. doi:10.1089/jwh.2011.2999Kim HK, Kang SY, Chung YJ, Kim JH, Kim MR.The Recent Review of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.J Menopausal Med. 21(2):65–71. doi:10.6118/jmm.2015.21.2.65Bromberger JT, Kravitz HM.Mood and menopause: findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) over 10 years.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 38(3):609–625. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.011Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health.7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Sliwinski JR, Johnson AK, Elkins GR.Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind-Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance.Integr Med Insights. 9:17-23. doi:10.4137/IMI.S15682Allshouse AA, Semple AL, Santoro NF.Evidence for prolonged and unique amenorrhea-related symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency.Menopause. 22(2):166-74. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000286Terauchi M, Odai T, Hirose A, et al.Dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women is associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional study.Biopsychosoc Med. 12:21. doi:10.1186/s13030-018-0140-1Triebner K, Johannessen A, Puggini L, et al.Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 137(1):50-57.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.019Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Early or premature menopause.Kolhe S.Management of abnormal uterine bleeding - focus on ambulatory hysteroscopy.Int J Womens Health. 10:127–136. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S98579Garcia M, Mulvagh SL, Merz CN, Buring JE, Manson JE.Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Clinical Perspectives.Circ Res. 118(8):1273–1293. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.307547Finkelstein JS, Brockwell SE, Mehta V, et al.Bone mineral density changes during the menopause transition in a multiethnic cohort of women.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 93(3):861–868. doi:10.1210/jc.2007-1876
Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 12(1):43–49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836
Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556
Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.
Nakano K, Pinnow E, Flaws JA, Sorkin JD, Gallicchio L.Reproductive history and hot flashes in perimenopausal women.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 21(4):433–439. doi:10.1089/jwh.2011.2999
Kim HK, Kang SY, Chung YJ, Kim JH, Kim MR.The Recent Review of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.J Menopausal Med. 21(2):65–71. doi:10.6118/jmm.2015.21.2.65
Bromberger JT, Kravitz HM.Mood and menopause: findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) over 10 years.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 38(3):609–625. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.011
Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health.7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073
Sliwinski JR, Johnson AK, Elkins GR.Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind-Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance.Integr Med Insights. 9:17-23. doi:10.4137/IMI.S15682
Allshouse AA, Semple AL, Santoro NF.Evidence for prolonged and unique amenorrhea-related symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency.Menopause. 22(2):166-74. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000286
Terauchi M, Odai T, Hirose A, et al.Dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women is associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional study.Biopsychosoc Med. 12:21. doi:10.1186/s13030-018-0140-1
Triebner K, Johannessen A, Puggini L, et al.Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 137(1):50-57.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.019
Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Early or premature menopause.
Kolhe S.Management of abnormal uterine bleeding - focus on ambulatory hysteroscopy.Int J Womens Health. 10:127–136. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S98579
Garcia M, Mulvagh SL, Merz CN, Buring JE, Manson JE.Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Clinical Perspectives.Circ Res. 118(8):1273–1293. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.307547
Finkelstein JS, Brockwell SE, Mehta V, et al.Bone mineral density changes during the menopause transition in a multiethnic cohort of women.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 93(3):861–868. doi:10.1210/jc.2007-1876
Cleveland Clinic.Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause.North American Menopause Society, (NAMS). Menopause Practice A Clinician’s Guideline. Mayfield Heights, Ohio.Santoro N.Perimenopause: From Research to Practice.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 25(4):332–339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The Menopause Years.
Cleveland Clinic.Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause.
North American Menopause Society, (NAMS). Menopause Practice A Clinician’s Guideline. Mayfield Heights, Ohio.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The Menopause Years.
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