Menopause is the time in a woman's life when she has ceased to be fertile and is unable to conceive a child. Menopause, the Mayo Clinic states, begins a year after a woman's last menstrual period. This commonly occurs in the early 50s if you live in the United States. There are some treatments available if you have severe symptoms associated with menopause.
Menstruation
Before the onset of menopause and before your final menstrual flow, you may experience a change in your normal menstruation. As menopause approaches, the normal rate at which you experience menstrual flow may change and become irregular. Associated with this is a decrease in your fertility. This may not be something you recognize unless you are trying to conceive a child at the time. You also may experience dryness in your vagina that is unusual for you. The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a doctor if you have vaginal bleeding following menopause.
Body
Other changes may occur as symptoms of menopause affect different parts of your body. For example, the classic symptom of menopause is hot flashes, in which you suddenly feel very warm and your skin may turn red. This is also called flushing. You also may gain more fat in your abdominal region. At the same time, you may discover your breasts feel less full than they did before menopause.
Other Symptoms
There are a few other symptoms associated with menopause. For example, you may suddenly have trouble sleeping when you didn't previously, or you may experience disturbances in your sleep pattern. Because of the hormonal changes associated with menopause, you also may get another classic symptom, which is mood swings. These can be rapid and can include feelings such as emptiness or sadness. You also may find that your hair is thinning, which also can lead to similar feelings. If you have these or any other symptoms associated with menopause such as a skipped menstrual period, it is best to see your physician. It may be something else, including pregnancy.
