Menopause 
Menopausal symptoms affect about 70% of women approaching menopause. There are 34 menopause symptoms in total, and they are mostly felt during perimenopause, the stage before menopause where hormones are fluctuating. Menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes or night sweats, are caused by changing hormonal levels. Read on to learn more about menopause symptoms.
What Are the 34 Menopause Symptoms?
The 34 menopause symptoms are as follows:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Irregular periods
- Loss of libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Sleep disorders
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory lapses
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- Incontinence
- Bloating
- Allergies
- Brittle nails
- Changes in body odor
- Rapid heartbeat
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Panic disorder
- Breast pain
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Burning tongue
- Electric shocks
- Digestive problems
- Gum problems
- Muscle tension
- Itchy skin
- Tingling extremities
- Osteoporosis
The Most Common Menopause Symptoms
The most common menopause symptoms are:
Hot flashes. 75 to 85% menopausal women experience hot flashes. Hot flashes are caused by hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menopausal transition.
Night sweats. Night sweats are similar to hot flashes, but episodes occur at night and can range from mild to severe, often interrupting sleep. Common symptoms of night sweats include: sudden and intense heat, irregular heartbeat, and nausea.
Irregular periods. Irregular periods is one of the principal symptoms that indicate a woman is approaching menopause.All women experience irregular periods for 2 to 10 years before their periods stop completely.
Loss of libido. Loss of libido is a lack of interest and desire in sexual activity. Sexual feelings come less frequently and desire for sexual activity drastically dwindles.
Vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness is a lack of adequate moisture in the vaginal area. The body naturally lubricates the vaginal walls with a thin layer of moisture. However, hormonal changes that occur during menopause can disrupt this process, leading to vaginal dryness.
Recommendation
Consult your doctor for more information about treatment options for menopausal symptoms. Click here for more information on managing menopause symptoms.
Sources
- BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.
- Hopkins, Virginia. Lee, John R. M.D. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. New York: Warner Books Inc., 1996.
- Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
- Martin, Raquel. The Estrogen Alternative. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2000.
