1. Be Alert for Menstrual, Memory and Mood Changes
Menopause means that you have not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. On average, you can expect to reach menopause around age 51. As your body's production of estrogen and progesterone declines, physical and emotional changes can be subtle or abrupt, and may last for several years before menstruation stops completely.
2. Chart Your Symptoms
Use a calendar or planner to chart your menstrual cycle, including the first day of your period, any missed periods and whether the bleeding is heavier or lighter than usual. Many women experience irregular menstrual cycles before menopause, usually beginning around age 47 or 48. Monitor your mood, too. Keep the planner on your night table and jot down what you've experienced that day. The occasional snappy tone, tearfulness or clutch of anxiety happens to all of us, but pay careful attention to whether these mood shifts seem out of the ordinary, occur more frequently or seriously interfere with relationships at home or at work. Log the frequency of hot flashes, those sudden surges of heat and sweating that make us reach for anything to use as a fan and that boost our dry-cleaning bills. Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night. Make a note in the morning if you've awakened with wet nightclothes or sheets.
3. Observe Urinary Changes
If you're avoiding the coworker who always has a joke because laughing makes you leak a small amount of urine, write down this symptom. You might also find that you leak urine when you cough or sneeze. Leaking urine is a symptom of stress incontinence, common in menopause, as muscles controlling the bladder may weaken. Also record whether you find yourself sprinting to the bathroom. This may be urge incontinence, which makes controlling the need to urinate difficult.
4. Study the Romantic Spark
Do you feel that your sex drive has diminished or that the spark has been extinguished? As the ratio of estrogen and testosterone in your body fluctuates and wanes, sexual desire can drop. Note any shifts in your libido on your symptom calendar, too.
5. Summarize Symptoms for Your Doctor
Your doctor won't have time to read the details in your symptom journal, so summarize the highlights, noting how many times in a week you had night sweats, burst into tears or leaked urine, for example. You and your doctor can determine the combination of diet, lifestyle changes or treatment that will best manage your symptoms.
