There are a number of symptoms that combined unequivocally indicate the onset of menopause.
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The 20 symptoms of menopause and how to identify them
Menopause is not the same for all women, but it is similar . In the first place, menopause usually arrives around 50 years of age, although there are cases of early menopause.
It may also be that some symptoms manifest themselves more intensely in some women than others. In any of the cases, we must be clear that these biological changes must be faced naturally, and that the woman who begins this biological stage does not really have to worry.
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1. Premenopausal symptoms
Menopause is not something that happens overnight . Menopause is strictly understood as the moment starting from the last menstruation. The period immediately before is called the climacteric.
2. irregular rule
One of the clearest premenopausal symptoms is having an irregular menstrual cycle . A woman who has had regular cycles throughout her life can easily identify this symptom. It can arrive earlier, but it is normal for it to take longer.
3. Irregular amount of menstrual flow
Along with an irregular menstrual cycle there may be a different amount of discharge . When the regular rhythms that you may have had for years appear altered, it is normal that the amount of flow is also altered. There may be more or less depending on the case.
4. End of the menstrual cycle
The female reproductive system stops producing eggs . This should not be surprising, because it has a normative aging in which the ovaries are aging, and also the body’s hormones are getting smaller and smaller. The body prepares to stop contemplating pregnancy.
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5. Suffer hot flashes
Perhaps hot flashes are one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause . These are sudden perceptions of an increase in temperature, as if it were heat waves. What happens is that it is actually an internal sensation. It is usually an irregular symptom, and can be combined with chills. During the night they are more common.
6. Anxiety
Women starting menopause may experience more anxiety . This has its reason for being at the biochemical level, since there are alterations in the body. For example, dopamine levels may decrease, making it possible to perceive more anxiety or stress.
7. Irritability
We could say that it is a cliché that menopausal women are irritable . In any case, there is a certain emotional lability caused by hormonal alterations. Irritability can be frequent in some cases, but it should not be given more importance than it is.
8. Depressive symptoms
The mood disturbance can make the person feel more depressed than usual. In some cases it is even possible that a depressive picture can be triggered . Normally it is associated with the fact that it will no longer be possible to have another pregnancy or by directly linking this fact to old age, which is not exactly the case.
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9. Weight gain
Hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead to weight gain . It is a time when the body undergoes biological changes, so it is to some extent normal that this can happen. The important thing is not to get carried away by nerves and not change consumption habits.
10. Insomnia
Some menopausal women experience sleep disturbances . The most frequent is that there are problems with falling asleep, although there may also be other expressions such as waking up in the middle of the night. Sometimes hot flashes aggravate this possibility.
11. Less desire to have intimate relationships
There are women who have less desire to maintain intimate relationships when menopause arrives . This is sometimes due to psychological reasons that we have described as anxiety or depression, although in some cases the opposite is true and activity in bed increases.
12. Brittle hair and nails
The fact that hormone levels decrease has some possible consequences like this . Hair and nails may show signs of greater weakness, presenting in some cases more fragility. The skin may also be more flaky than normal.
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13. Urinary incontinence
There may be some changes in the urogenital apparatus . Lower hormone levels cause the bladder and surrounding muscles to undergo certain alterations that result in urine leakage. It can also make you more at risk of urinary tract infection.
14. Vaginal dryness
Alterations due to hormonal changes also give rise to vaginal dryness . The vaginal wall can be altered and also the production of the natural lubricant of the vagina, which results in more dryness. There may also be less plasticity.
15. Headaches and migraines
There are women who suffer from headaches and migraines . They are usually expressed in women who have already had problems of this nature in their lives. It’s not uncommon for some headaches to appear at this time of change, but they shouldn’t linger for long.
16. Vertigo and dizziness
Some women may experience vertigo and dizziness . This symptom is not very common, but it can occur. In this case, it is best to go to the doctor, as it is not advisable to put up with vertigo and dizziness and there are ways to alleviate these symptoms.
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17. Loss of bone density
With age there is a loss of normative bone density, but in menopause it can increase . The minerals such as calcium, fluorine or magnesium that make up our bones can gradually diminish from our natural store, so with age the probability of fractures is greater.
18. Joint pain
Certain people experience joint pain . This is certainly another side effect of decreased estrogen. These hormones have anti-inflammatory properties, so while their levels are high, the pain that could exist in certain areas of the body is mitigated.
19. Lower memory and concentration
There are some cases in which less memory and concentration are manifested . Some women say they have certain forgetfulness, and this is related to alterations in neurotransmitters, but also to the mood. Women who show depression may suffer more from these menopausal symptoms.
20. Lower energy
This menopausal symptom is associated with some of the above . For example, people with depressive symptoms or insomnia may have lower energy. Also people who suffer from more anxiety than usual have times when their body needs a little more time to recover.
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Bibliographic references
- Arakane , M. , Castle , C. , Rosero , MF , Peñafiel , R. , Perez-Lopez , FR and Chedraui , P. (2011). Factors related to insomnia during the menopausal transition as assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index. Maturity, 69, 157-161 .
- Brigo, B. (2011). All About Menopause. Barcelona: Green Therapies .
- Carvajal-Lohr, A., Flores-Ramos, M., Marin-Montejo, SI, and Morales Vidal, CG (2016). Anxiety disorders during the transition to menopause. Perinatology and Human Reproduction, 30(1), 39-45 .
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.