Every woman in Tampa experiences menopause differently. The most famous and possibly most common menopause symptom is hot flashes. However, there are many other signs that your body is going through this important change. Starting with perimenopause, here are a few of the symptoms and signs of menopause, all of which are related to the hormonal changes in the body:
1. Changes to the Menstrual Cycle. One of the early signs of menopause is some change to your period. It could be irregularity, heavier or lighter flow, or spotting. Perimonopause is a transitional time, when the body is showing some signs that the hormone balance is changing but before actual menopause—the cessation of menstruation—kicks in. Once menstruation stops, menopause begins.
2. Hot flashes. Lasting up to ten minutes, hot flashes are considered a primary symptom of menopause because most women experience it at least once over the initial year or two when the period stops.
3. Vaginal dryness. One of the most common symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness, which can be resolved temporarily by using lubricant during sex. However, vaginal dryness can cause other problems like pain, burning, or difficulty urinating.
4. Insomnia. Although insomnia can be caused by any number of issues and is not necessarily a sign of menopause, many women going through menopause experience changes in their sleep habits. Night sweats are also a related issue that menopausal women sometimes experience.
5. Urinary tract infections. Either a urinary tract infection or difficulty urinating may be an unfortunate side effect of menopause.
6. Low libido. Hormonal changes can cause loss of interest in sex and low libido.
7. Mood changes. Menopause is a hormonal event, and hormones do affect human emotion and cognition. Emotionality and mood swings are not uncommon symptoms of menopause.
