Because of the various symptoms that accompany menopause, many women have a difficult time during this part of their life. There are a variety of common symptoms, such as night sweats, hot flashes, various sexual issues, and mood swings. Although many times these symptoms are mild, some women do experience severe symptoms. The most common age for menopause to occur is between the ages of 48 and 55.
When a woman's ovulation and menstruation cycles cease, this is when menopause occurs. There are a number of hormonal changes that take place in the body during menopause, which are what cause the various physical and emotional symptoms to occur. There are usually some early indications that menopause is about to begin, such as irregular periods that fluctuate between a heavy and light flow, and hot flashes might begin to occur. This transitional stage is known as perimenopause, which precedes the actual onset of menopause. Perimenopause is common around the age of 40 to 45. However, this timeframe does fluctuate, and some women actually experience symptoms as early as age 35.
There have been studies that seem to indicate that various factors in a woman's life can bring on menopause earlier than normal. Increased stress levels, as well as the various environmental toxins that are ever-present are often to blame, as is the fact that women often smoke. Smoking as a general rule is thought to bring on perimenopause approximately two or three years earlier than what would be considered normal for a woman.
The hot flashes and night sweats that many women experience can be quite uncomfortable. These are triggered by hormonal changes, and can cause sleeping problems. Menopause and its symptoms can also cause a good deal of stress, especially if the symptoms are especially severe. Many women also experience changes in their libido level. This can sometimes be caused by the fact that intercourse becomes somewhat painful because the hormone changes in the body's level of estrogen can make the vagina dry or irritated. This can reduce a woman's desire for sex. A woman's mood swings, which often increase during menopause, can also factor into their desire for sex.
Menopause is part of the natural aging process, and as such, there is not a specific treatment that is always needed or recommended. If a woman has especially pronounced symptoms, there are certain types of medications that can be helpful. Many women deal with menopause simply by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and finding ways to reduce their stress levels and symptoms without any type of medication. Many women find that light exercise can be beneficial, not only because of the physical benefits of exercise but also as a way of improving their mood and reducing stress levels.
If symptoms are severe, doctors often prescribe various types of hormone replacement drugs. These drugs, although often effective, do have side effects to take into consideration, such as an increase in water retention, or even an increase in some menopause symptoms. If a woman is experiencing severe symptoms, she should ask her doctor about the possibility of either natural or synthetic hormone replacement therapy.
When a woman's ovulation and menstruation cycles cease, this is when menopause occurs. There are a number of hormonal changes that take place in the body during menopause, which are what cause the various physical and emotional symptoms to occur. There are usually some early indications that menopause is about to begin, such as irregular periods that fluctuate between a heavy and light flow, and hot flashes might begin to occur. This transitional stage is known as perimenopause, which precedes the actual onset of menopause. Perimenopause is common around the age of 40 to 45. However, this timeframe does fluctuate, and some women actually experience symptoms as early as age 35.
There have been studies that seem to indicate that various factors in a woman's life can bring on menopause earlier than normal. Increased stress levels, as well as the various environmental toxins that are ever-present are often to blame, as is the fact that women often smoke. Smoking as a general rule is thought to bring on perimenopause approximately two or three years earlier than what would be considered normal for a woman.
The hot flashes and night sweats that many women experience can be quite uncomfortable. These are triggered by hormonal changes, and can cause sleeping problems. Menopause and its symptoms can also cause a good deal of stress, especially if the symptoms are especially severe. Many women also experience changes in their libido level. This can sometimes be caused by the fact that intercourse becomes somewhat painful because the hormone changes in the body's level of estrogen can make the vagina dry or irritated. This can reduce a woman's desire for sex. A woman's mood swings, which often increase during menopause, can also factor into their desire for sex.
Menopause is part of the natural aging process, and as such, there is not a specific treatment that is always needed or recommended. If a woman has especially pronounced symptoms, there are certain types of medications that can be helpful. Many women deal with menopause simply by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and finding ways to reduce their stress levels and symptoms without any type of medication. Many women find that light exercise can be beneficial, not only because of the physical benefits of exercise but also as a way of improving their mood and reducing stress levels.
If symptoms are severe, doctors often prescribe various types of hormone replacement drugs. These drugs, although often effective, do have side effects to take into consideration, such as an increase in water retention, or even an increase in some menopause symptoms. If a woman is experiencing severe symptoms, she should ask her doctor about the possibility of either natural or synthetic hormone replacement therapy.
About the Author:
The author writes on a variety of health topics and is especially interested in women's health issues including menopause and perimenopause. Please visit Signs of Menopause Guide for additional information.
