Menstruation is more than just a biological phenomenon. It is a divine decree bestowed upon women like us by nature. There are three phases women go through in their lives with regard to menstruation.
The pre-menstruation phase (just before puberty), menstruation (puberty), and menopause (> 50 years of age). There is a lot of information available on symptoms, influencing factors, and medications of menstruation when compared to menopause. Little do we know, that menopause comes with more anguish, pain, and numerous symptoms.
Studies have shown that women experience at least 30 symptoms with regard to menopause. Some of these symptoms may be serious and interfere with your daily life.
Menopause usually occurs when you reach the age of 50 or more. It takes at least 2 years for a woman to completely stop menstruating. During this phase, it is important for us as women to keep in check the possible symptoms and even note down some of them.
Although, not every woman is subjected to the same types of symptoms, here are 9 common symptoms of menopause you should look out for :
1) Irregular Periods :
This is obviously the foremost and common symptom one should look out for. As you age, your hormone production tends to decrease which eventually leads to irregular periods. This can take a toll on your mental and physical health too. You will experience severe PMS yet do not observe any bleeding. This is due to the deceased production of hormones and aging.
2) Vaginal Dryness :
The natural lubrication of your vagina is maintained by the hormone, estrogen. Deceased levels of hormone production can lead to vaginal dryness and discomfort. Sometimes, this vaginal dryness can also cause acute pain particularly if you’re sexually active. Therefore, vaginal dryness can be considered as a common symptom of menopause.
3) Digestive Problems :
I’m sure you’ve been experienced constipation and other digestive problems during menstruation too. Our digestive system is also in some way or the other controlled by our hormones. Any changes in our hormones will influence our regular body functions. One such example is experiencing digestive problems like constipation, indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea.
4) Hot Flushes :
Hot flushes are considered as one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Hot flushes are nothing but itchy redness that appears on your chest, neck, and face. This eventually leads to night sweats and disrupts your sleep.
5) Muscle Pain :
One of the common symptoms also includes joint pains or muscle tension. Studies have shown that most women experience mild to severe muscle pain during their menopause. In some cases, the pain is so severe that it begins to interfere and disrupts your daily routine.
6) Fatigue / Extreme Tiredness :
With your body going through some major hormonal changes, there is a probability that these changes will affect your daily activity. Major hormonal changes that interfere with routine functions of your body can lead to extreme tiredness or fatigue. A woman going through menopause will experience mild to severe levels of fatigue. In some cases, fatigue is also accompanied by weakness.
7) Weight Gain :
We all know that weight gain is highly influenced by hormonal imbalances. Many women have gained weight during their menopause as a result of hormonal changes. If you start gaining weight all of a sudden, there are chances that you’re nearing menopause. However, such weight gain can be managed by regular exercise.
8) Depression :
Depression is a mental illness that is highly influenced by several hormonal and body changes. A woman undergoing menopause may feel anxiety coupled with depression. Moreover, studies have shown that one in three women experience severe depression and anxiety during their menopause.
9) Hair Loss :
Again, a woman nearing menopause will experience a lot of hair. This is due to major hormonal changes that take a toll on your physical health.
Comments