I tend to cry for no particular reason

Mood swings are a common menopausal symptom. This is due to declining levels of estrogen.

Estrogen is necessary for good brain function.

Other symptoms relating to declining estrogen levels can be:

Poor concentration
Memory loss
Visual disturbances
Insomnia
Hot flushes

My menstrual periods are very irregular

This is often the first sign that your body is changing and you are approaching menopause. This is due to declining levels of progesterone. You may start to skip periods or your periods may become either heavier or lighter. This does not happen to every woman.

How long will the symptoms last for?

Every woman is different. Menopause will generally last for somewhere between 1 and 10 years.

I have heard about the symptoms and suffering but I don’t think I have been affected by any of these - is that possible?

80% of women will experience menopausal symptoms.

Every woman’s experience of menopause is different.

Thinner women are more prone to symptoms than heavier women.

Why do you no longer have menopause symptoms after you have completed menopause?

Your adrenal glands take over from your ovaries in the production of estrogen. Estrogen is also produced by the brain, skin, nerve endings and also the liver.

After menopause estrogen production is about 40% of that produced during your twenties.

What is the Menopause Doing to my Lifestyle?

Why is my figure changing?

At Menopause when your ovaries are slowly failing and your adrenal glands begin to take over, the production of estrogen occurs mainly in the fat tissue especially in the abdomen.

Women therefore lose their curvaceousness with an increase of fatty tissue.

Sexual Intercourse is becoming painful

This is due to the thinning of the vaginal walls due to declining estrogen levels. This can be resolved with the use of a vaginal estrogen cream, which will plump up the vaginal wall making it more vascular.

I have lost my desire for sexual intercourse

This is a common menopausal symptom. The main reason being a decline in your female hormones- estrogen & progesterone.

However for some women especially those who have had their ovaries removed, they may have low levels of testosterone.

Other causes include: antidepressant medication, low mood, relationship issues, & poor sleep patterns.

I have noticed an increase in facial hair

This is due to lowering levels of your female hormones estrogen and progesterone. When this occurs women become more sensitive to the amount of testosterone being produced by the body. Your testosterone levels may be declining as well, but not to the same level as your female hormones.

age symptoms how do I know? effects on my lifestyle resources natural hormones