Post menopause occurs when a woman has not had a period in over 12 months, according to the website Women to Women. Post menopause symptoms are the symptoms that a woman has after menopause. A woman may continue to experience menopausal symptoms long after she has finished menopause due a deficiency in estrogen, the hormone responsible for balancing hormone levels. Many women experience a variety of physical symptoms ranging from hot flashes to excess hair post menopause.
Weight Gain
Most women will experience unexplained weight gain after menopause. These women may diet as a way to control their weight, but unfortunately they still gain weight. The website 34 Menopause Symptoms states that women gain weight due to a hormonal imbalance that occurs after women have finished menopause.
Bleeding
A common problem post menopause is bleeding. Most of the time bleeding after menopause is nothing to be concerned about, but in some cases it can be a symptom of a serious health problem. According to the website MenopauseToHealth.com, fluctuating hormone levels usually cause the bleeding, but it is always best to be cautious and seek medical advice whenever there is bleeding post menopause.
Hot Flashes
Many women have hot flashes post menopause. A hot flash usually occurs when a woman experiences a sudden surge of heat that spreads throughout her body causing her face and neck to flush, according to the National Institute on Aging. During a hot flash, red blotches may appear on a woman’s chest, back and/or arms. She may also experience excessive sweating followed by chills after menopause. Sometimes a woman may have a hot flash that occurs at night. These are called night sweats and they usually range from mild to severe enough to soak a woman’s nightgown. Most hot flashes end within 10 minutes.
Vaginal Discharge
Some women experience a noticeable vaginal discharge once they have finished menopause due to a hormonal balance. A vaginal discharge post menopause can signal that the vaginal wall is atrophying, causing vaginal tissue to shrink. The website Menopause Insight Interactive states that postmenopausal women tend to experience vaginal atrophy, when the vagina and other reproductive organs become thin, dry and inflamed due to the lack of estrogen. The discharge is usually thick and white, but it can also be thin, watery and brown.
Facial Hair
Approximately 30 percent of postmenopausal women report unwanted hair on the face, according to "The Dr. Oz Show." Following menopause, many women produce too much testosterone or male hormones, but not enough estrogen or female hormones, resulting in accelerated hair growth around the face. Excess facial hair is a harmless condition that can be treated in a variety of ways, such as losing weight, starting hormone replacement therapy, waxing or laser therapy.
