Menopause occurs when a woman permanently stops menstruating and is no longer able to have children. According to the North American Menopause Society, women in the United States reach menopause at an average age of 51. While menopause symptoms vary from woman to woman, most women experience several signs of decreasing hormone levels in the years before menopause occurs.
Identification
Although menopause officially occurs when you have not had a period for one year, your body has been going through changes for some time before this happens. Perimenopause begins six or more years before menopause, and it is during this time that you will experience many of the symptoms people associate with menopause. During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually reduce the amount of estrogen and progesterone they produce. These hormones are needed for reproduction. When hormone levels drop, fewer viable eggs develop in the ovaries, resulting in irregular ovulation. During this time, your periods may become longer, shorter, heavier or lighter than normal and you may not be sure exactly when they will occur. Eventually, your ovaries stop producing mature eggs and your periods stop.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause. During a hot flash, your skin becomes flushed as a sudden heat spreads throughout your body. Hot flashes may be accompanied by sweating so profuse that it drenches your clothes. Flashes may occur during the day or at night, but may be particularly bothersome at night if they interfere with sleep. Low-dose estrogen therapy can help relieve hot-flash symptoms. Hot flashes often stop when a woman reaches menopause, but one in 10 women continues to experience the problem into her 60s and 70s, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Weight Gain
Women tend to gain weight, especially around the middle, during the menopausal years. It's not clear if this is a result of decreasing hormone levels or increasing age, but weight gain is welcomed by very few women. As you age, you experience a natural loss of muscle and an increase in fatty tissue. Because muscle helps burn calories, loss of muscle mass makes it more difficult to maintain your weight. A regular exercise routine--coupled with eating a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains and fruits--can help you avoid weight gain.
Mood Swings
Mood swings tend to occur when hormone levels fluctuate. Mood swings can be exacerbated by concerns about work or family, lack of sleep, aging, sexuality or the changes your body is undergoing. According to the North American Menopause Society, women who had severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms are more likely to have mood swings during the perimenopausal years. Low-dose birth-control pills can help regulate hormones and provide some relief from mood swings.
Other Changes
Lower hormone levels can cause the vaginal tissues to become dry, making sex painful at times. Vaginal lubricants, sold at drug stores, can help resolve this problem. Your skin will become drier during the menopausal years which may also result in itching. Some women also experience thinning hair, trouble sleeping or staying asleep, and memory problems.
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