Signs of Menopause - What Can Happen To Your Hormones, Mood and Sex Life?
If you are in your forties you maybe starting to think what the signs of menopause are. There are a number of different symptoms that are associated with this natural change in a women's life when she stops having periods. In actual fact what most people refer to as 'going through the menopause' is actually the perimenopause, which is the period leading up to menopause. This may take several years and most commonly occurs in a woman's 40's or 50's. It is a time of changes in hormone levels, which can have a big impact both physically and emotionally.
The most commonly reported signs are hot flushes and night sweats. The changes in the female hormones seem to cause the temperature regulator in the brain, the hypothalamus, to become confused. This can mean that it thinks that we are hot and immediately brings into play the different systems that will cool us down. This includes dilating blood vessels near the skin and making us sweat. This explains the red flushes that many women experience. As these episodes often happen at night it also accounts for the night sweats.
Another commonly reported sign is vaginal dryness and loss of elasticity. This can lead to it being quite painful to have sex. Together with a decrease in libido and general feeling of lethargy this can lead to a less fulfilling time in the bedroom for some women.
In addition to the physical symptoms, it is also quite common to have emotional signs of menopause. Bursting into tears at minor events and feelings of sadness can occur. Irritability and then 'flying of the handle' is also frequently reported. You may also feel anxious, even if you have previously been a confident person. Some have found that practicing relaxation techniques or doing yoga exercises has helped with their feelings. Others have taken up exercises and found that this provides an emotional release.