Menopause Symptoms - What to Expect

Although menopause is a natural part of the aging process for women, it can sometimes be a very confusing and difficult phase of life to get through. It is sometimes referred to as "the change of life" and is marked by inconsistent menstrual cycles that end in the complete cessation of menstruation altogether.

The most difficult aspect of this life transition is not the actual ending of menstruation, but rather the Menopause symptoms that she must endure as her body goes through some major biological changes.

Most women will begin Menopause between he ages of 45 and 55, although some women may see it as early as 30 or even as late as 60. The age can't be predicted exactly, however it does tend to correlate to the age that it occurred for you mother.

The beginning phases are usually signaled by changes or irregularities in the menstrual cycle. These changes may result in cycles that are shorter in length or longer. The menstrual flow may also be heavier or lighter than normal.

As she progresses through the transition, the body will slowly decrease it's production of female hormones. The presence and severity of menopause symptoms varies greatly from women to another. Some women may experience debilitating physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms, while other women breeze right through it without any difficulty.

One of the most common and dreaded Menopause symptoms is hot flashes. Hot flashes last for several minutes and consist of a feeling of intense warmth that spreads over the body. It is usually the head and chest that are impacted the most and the are often accompanied by night sweats.

Another common complaints of menopausal woman is vaginal dryness. As estrogen levels decline, the vaginal tissue gets thinner and loses elasticity. This may result in dryness, itching or irritation. The lining of the urethra and the pelvic floor may also be impacted and lead to an increase in urinary tract infections or an increased need to relieve the bladder.

Other frequent symptoms of Menopause include memory problems, irritability, depression, fatigue, rapid mood swings, inability to cope, headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, disruption in normal sleep patterns and weight gain.

The symptoms of menopause can be pretty undesirable and even tormenting, however it's important to keep in mind that this is a transient period and that your symptoms are likely to subside in the next few years. Most menopause symptoms improve as you get closer to the end of transition. The most severe symptoms are usually experienced during Perimenopause.

There are a variety of natural treatment approaches that can help relieve or manage your symptoms like nutritional supplements, herbs, changes in diet, exercise, massage, bioidentical hormone replacement and meditation. The best thing you can do for yourself is to become educated as thoroughly as possible about each and every aspect of this important phase of your life, so you know what to expect and can explore all the options available to you.

Learn more about how to manage the symptoms of Menopause naturally.