Signs of Menopause

During your late 40’s (the onset is different for different people), your hormone levels will surge and dip unpredictably which might send your body and your emotions into a tailspin. Estrogen is involved in about 300 or more bodily processes, so all of these will be affected to a greater or lesser degree.

By the time you reach your 50’s, your egg supply has run out, and your estrogen and progesterone levels drop to a level that you no longer will menstruate. The estrogen supply doesn’t stop entirely, but it drops to about 1/3rd of what it was. In addition, your androgens (including the hormones testosterone and DHEA) drop to ½ of what it was. This drop also affects several organs.

Here is a list of some signs of menopause and what you may expect:

• Changes in your menstrual cycle. Your menstrual bleeding. may be heavier or lighter than usual. Also, you may skip periods (late perimenopause) or the intervals between periods (early perimenopause) may be longer or shorter.
• Hot Flashes.
• Night Sweats.
• Insomniaand fatigue
• Migraines.
• Vaginal changes including Vaginal Dryness and vaginal atrophy which may cause painful intercourse if untreated.
• Older Skin.
• Tender Breasts.
• Concentration problems.
• Memory Loss.
• Decreased or Increased Sex Drive.
• Urinary Incontinence.
• Weight Gain.
• Hair Loss.
• Irritability.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Moodiness.
• Dizziness.
• Brittle Nails.
• Changes in Body Odor.
• Tingling nerves and Restless Leg Syndrome.
• Itchy Scalp and Itchy Skin.
• Gum and dental problems
• Heart Palpitations.
• Bone Pain.
• Acne.
• Unwanted Hair Growth.

I will be writing a page on each one of these signs of menopause. A number of these pages are already on this site. Go and have a look if you like.

It's important to remember that these signs of menopause are temporary and they are adaptive. This is what the body is meant to do to prepare women for their new role and lifestyle which does not involve childbearing and childrearing. There really is a light beyond the storm. Just hang on while it's happening...

To read an article about Moodiness: It's in Our Control.

To read an article about Unwanted Hair Removal: Techniques known to womankind.

To read an article about Anxiety Attack Menpause: When you think every stranger could be Hannibal Lecter.

To read an article about Urinary Incontinence: To pee or not to pee.

To read an article about Depression and Menopause: From Pastel Blue to Deep Navy.

To read an article about Menopause Acne: Popping its ugly head again.

To read an article about Body Odor: You stink, and you're not Pepe Le Pew.

To read an article about Insomnia Menopause: Sleep like a teenager.

To read an article about Hot Flashes: It's not cool to be hot.

To read an article about Dizziness: Are you spinning and spun, or spun and spinning?

To read an article about Menopause Bleeding: To bleed or not to bleed.

To read an article about Night Sweats: Too hot to feel sexy.

To read an article about Older Skin: You're still marvelous, Darling, absolutely marvelous.

To read an article about Itchy Scalp: It's not all in your head.

To read an article about Itchy Skin: Itching to be rid of the creepy-crawlies.

To read an article about Weight Gain: Waist not, want not.

To read an article about Hair Loss: Falling for you.

To read an article about Brittle Nails: Frangible phalanges.

To read an article about Sex, Lies and Hormones.

To read an article about Memory Loss: Forget the fog.

To read an article about Rosacea: When your blushing is no longer becoming.

To read an article about Migraines: It's all in your head.

To read an article about Restless Leg Syndrome: It's leg over leg irritating.

To read an article about Heart Palpitations: Oh, the pounding.

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