Symptoms of Menopause

The list of the symptoms of menopause is long.

Menopause starts when the ovaries start producing fewer hormones.

What is a hormone?

A hormone is a chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs. "Hormone" means... to set in motion.

Why are hormones important?

Hormone imbalance in women is associated with every major disease that plagues western society:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes

Normal age of menopause is 35 to 55.

Tiny amounts of hormones cause large changes in the cells that lead to symptoms.
They send and receive messages critical for many body functions.
They are part of a regulatory system that plays a role in immune function... And most importantly…

They can make the difference between a good day and a bad day!

The 3 stages of menopause:

Peri-menopause
Menopause and 
Post-menopause.

Peri-menopause symptoms or 
signs of early menopause:

• Irregular cycles
• Heavy cycles
• Low energy
• Food cravings
• Weight gain, bloating, especially around the waist
• Fibrocystic changes
• Mood swings

Symptoms are associated with anovulatory menstrual cycles, due to estrogen withdrawal

• Break through bleeding
• Length of menstrual cycle is shortened
• Irregular spotting
• More likely to experience depression and anxiety
• More likely to have undergone a gynecological surgical procedure

Hormone response is as unique to each person as their own fingerprints. Hormone replacement therapy should not be considered without a thorough understanding of how all of the body’s hormones interact with each other.

My page about low estrogen symptoms explains about the glands that take over when the ovaries stop producing estrogen. These glands, the liver, the thyroid and the adrenals need to be in top shape for your natural treatment for menopause.

Menopause symptoms

• Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
• Irregular heart beat
• Irritability
• Mood swings, sudden tears
• Trouble sleeping through the night
• Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Crashing fatigue
• Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
• Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
• Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
• Disturbing memory lapses
• Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing
• Itchy, crawly skin
• Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
• Increased tension in muscles
• Breast tenderness
• Headache change: increase or decrease
• Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
• Sudden bouts of bloat
• Depression
• Increase in allergies
• Weight gain
• Hair loss or thinning increase in facial hair
• Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
• Changes in body odor
• Gum problems, increased bleeding
• Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor
• Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier

See also

Herbal menopause relief and healthy diet guidelines    

Return From Symptoms of Menopause to Women's Health 

Return From Symptoms of Menopause to Home Page