4 Menopause Symptoms: What They Are and When Should I Worry?

Many women who find themselves suffering from symptoms of menopause often worry that they are a cause for concern. Menopause is not a disease and therefore does not need to be treated, but moderate and severe symptoms can lower the quality of life of the women who experience them. Continue reading to find out about four of the most common symptoms of menopause.

Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is an extremely common symptom of menopause, with over 80% of menopausal women reporting painful sex because of it. Vaginal dryness typically involves itching, burning, soreness, pain, or light bleeding during intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Vaginal dryness is caused by a drop in hormone levels, namely estrogen. By maintaining normal vaginal lubrication, tissue elasticity, and acidity, estrogen keeps vaginal tissue healthy. If your vaginal dryness begins negatively affecting your daily life, you should talk to your gynecologist.

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are the most common symptom women report feeling during menopause. It is described as a sudden, intense feeling of heat. Although the severity, duration, and frequency of hot flashes vary from woman to woman, nearly all women agree that they are frustrating and can interfere with their daily lifestyles. When your hot flashes start causing you to change your mind about going out in public for fear of a hot flash, treatment is advisable.

Loss of Libido

Typically, when your hormone levels fall, so does your libido. It can be an extremely tough side effect of menopause, especially if you used to be more sexually active. Talking with your partner is essential to working through this symptom; come up with a compromise that will please both of you in the end. If your loss of libido begins seriously affecting your relationship, treatment is also available to balance hormone levels.

Night Sweats

Extremely similar to hot flashes, night sweats occur while you are sleeping. Often, women who experience this symptom will wake up drenched in sweat and unable to fall back sleep from suddenly being woken up from sleep. Night sweats can lead to insomnia and lack of energy during the following day. If you are beginning to feel fatigued on a daily basis, make sure you speak with your doctor.

Each woman experiences menopause symptoms differently. Some will not require or desire treatment, while other women are greatly impacted. Click on the following link to find out about other symptoms of menopause.