Menopause can make some women feel quite unwell, with a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe. The severity and type of symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman. Some of the most common symptoms that can occur during menopause include:
- Hot flashes - Sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body, along with sweating and rapid heartbeat. Hot flashes can range from mild to severe. Some women have occasional minor hot flashes while others have more frequent, intense episodes.
- Night sweats - Hot flashes that occur during sleep, often severe enough to drench nightclothes and bedding with sweat. This can disrupt sleep and cause exhaustion.
- Mood changes - Irritability, anxiety, sadness, mood swings. The hormonal changes of menopause can trigger mental health issues in some women.
- Cognitive issues - Problems with focus, memory and clear thinking. Some women feel "foggy" and unfocused during menopause.
- Fatigue - Lack of energy, reduced endurance, feeling run down. Fatigue can be due to night sweats/poor sleep, hormonal shifts or other menopausal symptoms.
- Weight gain - Despite exercise and healthy eating, some women gain weight during menopause, especially around the abdomen. The hormonal changes promote fat storage.
- Hair and skin changes - Thinning and loss of hair, dry skin, wrinkling. Declining estrogen affects hair/skin health.
Other physical symptoms may additionally occur, such as:
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Changes in libido and sexual response
- Vaginal dryness and related discomfort
For some unlucky women,
the symptoms of menopause can severely diminish their quality of life. The hot flashes, night sweats, pain, discomfort, exhaustion, cognitive problems and mood issues compound to create distress. Some women feel like they can no longer function normally at home or work during this transitional time.
There are ways to manage difficult menopausal symptoms. See your healthcare provider for a full evaluation. Options may include:
- Hormone therapy - Estrogen alone or with progestogen can be very effective at relieving hot flashes, night sweats, pain, mood swings and other symptoms
- Non-hormonal medications - Low dose antidepressants and other drugs that target specific symptoms
- Alternative therapies - Mindfulness, acupuncture, nutritional supplements
The providers at
Balance Hormone Clinic specialize in helping women smoothly transition through menopause.
We take a personalized approach to developing effective treatment plans that get menopausal symptoms under control so you can get back to fully enjoying life. Our compassionate, expert physicians and nurses listen carefully to understand your unique situation, then work with you to find the right combination of cutting-edge hormone therapies, lifestyle changes and self-care strategies to help you feel healthy, energized and empowered during the menopausal journey.
We look forward to helping you thrive through menopause!
