5 Symptoms of Menopause and How it Affects the Body:
Treatments and Medications
Menopause is a naturally occurring bodily process with a common collection of symptoms. To treat heavy bleeding in preparation for menopause, Oriahnn (drug) and Mirena (IUD) can be beneficial. Furthermore, remedies for menopause such as supplements and hormone therapy can also help to treat certain symptoms of menopause. To figure out what’s best for you, we recommend consulting with a medical professional if you are experiencing one or more of these following symptoms:
1. Changes in menstrual cycle
Those going through menopause may experience one or more changes in their menstrual cycle. Having shorter or longer periods, exhibiting lighter or heavier bleeding, skipping periods, and periods coming earlier or later are all examples of potential changes. However, for super heavy periods, periods that last over a week, periods that halt and then resume after more than a year of nothing, periods that are very close together, or unusual spotting, it might be beneficial to consult a medical professional to ensure that there’s no underlying issues.
2. Bladder control
Individuals undergoing menopause might find themselves struggling with incontinence—also known as a loss of bladder control. Leaking urine while laughing, sneezing, or exercising can all be signs of incontinence, as well as being overcome with the sudden urge to urinate. Bladder infections might also occur, so it’s important to see a medical professional to help treat incontinence.
3. Vaginal dryness and attitude changes toward sex
Sexual intercourse can become uncomfortable for those going through menopause due to the vaginal dryness that may occur. Additionally, an individual may become less interested in sex or, conversely, become more interested because there’s no added stress of accidental pregnancy, thus making sex seem freer and sexier. While it varies from person to person, an attitude change toward sex and sexuality is a common symptom.
4. Hot flashes
Potentially related to the fluctuation of estrogen levels, mild or strong hot flashes are another common symptom for those experiencing menopause. These sudden, intense feelings of heat typically occur in the chest, neck, and face, but can affect the entire body as well. These can result in red blotches, flushing, shivering, and sweating. Typically, they last anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes but can occur at varying rates, such as from multiple times in an hour to just once per week.
5. Difficulty sleeping
For those undergoing menopause, sleep troubles may arise. Night sweats—also known as hot flashes that occur during sleep—are one identifiable culprit. Other culprits include having a difficult time falling asleep at night or often waking up too early in the morning. Similarly, some individuals going through menopause may wake up during the night and have trouble falling back asleep. Thus, sleep difficulties can vary from person to person.