Understanding Menopause: Symptoms and Changes

Menopause occurs when a women's ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, stopping menstrual periods from occurring and signaling the end of fertility. Both perimenopause, the period of time when hormone levels begin dropping right before menopause, and menopause present with a variety of symptoms. The severity of symptoms differs from woman to woman. Learning more about these symptoms can help prepare you for the changes that will occur in your body during menopause.

1. Irregular Periods

As hormone levels drop, menstrual periods will become more irregular for approximately a year before menopause. Women may get lighter periods and they may appear only every two to four months. It's important to continue to use birth

It is estimated that 66 percent of perimenopausal women experience hot flashes while almost 100 percent of women experience them during menopause. Researchers believe that hot flashes occur because the drop in hormone levels may change the circulation in a women's body. During a hot flash, the blood vessels that are closest to the skin dilate in an attempt to cool the body. Sweating, chills and a rapid heart rate may also occur. When hot flashes occur at night, they are known as night sweats. Women who experience night sweats may have a difficult time sleeping. Hot flashes are typically most intense during perimenopause and at the beginning of menopause and disappear or lessen with time.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be prescribed by a doctor. Taking HRT can decrease hot flashes or make episodes less severe. Most doctors recommend that HRT should be taken short-term, typically less tan five years. Taking JRT on a long-term basis can increase a women's risk of heart attack, stroke and gallbladder inflammation. Vitamins B and E and over-the-counter ibuprofen may help decrease hot flashes. Increasing the amount of soy in the diet may also help. Soy mimics the effects of estrogen and may decrease hot flashes and other menopause