Vaginal dryness and
hot flushes are constant companions
during the menopause.
Was sind What are the symptoms of menopause?
Menopause symptoms include both physical and psychological complaints that can greatly impact your quality of life. A good two thirds of women experience menopause symptoms of varying intensity, but what exactly happens in the body during this transition phase?
Keep reading for an insight into the various menopause symptoms, how they arise and tips and recommendations for alleviating them!
Graduate biochemist
DR. KADE
Medical Affairs
What will be discussed
Symptoms of the menopause? Blame your hormones!
The change in female sex hormones is responsible for the symptoms of the menopause. These not only regulate fertility, they also influence other factors, such as sleep and mood. The menopause, or life change, begins around the age of 45 for most women.
What happens
in the body
during the menopause?
- During this time, the ovaries produce less and less of the female sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen.
- Even before you have your last menstrual period, the hormonal changes associated with the menopause influence your menstrual cycle.
- Your menstrual cycles often become longer and more irregular as a result.
- Around one to two years before the menopause, ovulation becomes increasingly less frequent.
- The production of progesterone and oestrogen decreases steadily, as does fertility. In this phase, known as the perimenopause, many people suffer from increased physical and psychological changes – the menopause symptoms – due to all the hormonal changes.
Menopause symptoms – what you may be experiencing
Intermenstrual bleeding, hot flushes and sleep disturbances. These symptoms of the menopause are often not recognised as such at first. Typical menopause symptoms are often blamed on a regular life stresses. In addition, physical and psychological menopause symptoms usually occur in phases and vary in intensity, which makes it all the more important that we understand and interpret the signs our bodies send us.
Cycle irregularities and intermenstrual bleeding
- The first symptoms often manifest as cycle delays or intermenstrual bleeding, and sometimes even go unnoticed at first. Menstrual cycles become longer, but the periods themselves become shorter, and many experience irregular periods. However, it’s also possible to experience prolonged or very heavy periods. It’s also not uncommon to have a shorter cycle at the start of the menopause.
- Some people also experience more abdominal pain or cramping. These can occur both during menstruation and in the absence of a period. Some people also notice these symptoms between their periods. Symptoms of the so-called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are also not uncommon. These include headaches, chest pain and breast tenderness or water retention.
Hot flushes during the menopause: sudden and unexpected
They often occur suddenly and uncontrollably – and frequently at night. That’s right: we’re talking about hot flushes. Hot flushes cause profuse sweating, sometimes even all over the body. They occur in episodes and usually last a few minutes.
Sleep disturbances during the menopause: slept badly and feeling irritable?
If you lie awake at night and struggle to fall asleep, you’re not alone. Around half of all menopausal women are in the same situation. Sleep disturbances are typical menopause symptoms and put a strain on your biological rhythm.
It’s possible to experience periods of wakefulness and even total insomnia. Causes of this can vary. On the one hand, hot flushes and night sweats can disturb your sleep.
On the other hand, changes in living conditions during the menopause can also affect sleep. Many people feel exhausted the next day and are less resilient.
Nausea and constipation
during the menopause
- The first symptoms often manifest as cycle delays or intermenstrual bleeding, and sometimes even go unnoticed at first. Menstrual cycles become longer, but the periods themselves become shorter, and many experience irregular periods. However, it’s also possible to experience prolonged or very heavy periods. It’s also not uncommon to have a shorter cycle at the start of the menopause.
- Some people also experience more abdominal pain or cramping. These can occur both during menstruation and in the absence of a period. Some people also notice these symptoms between their periods. Symptoms of the so-called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are also not uncommon. These include headaches, chest pain and breast tenderness or water retention.
Other menopause
symptoms
The following symptoms are also frequently observed in relation to the menopause:
- Weight gain and a redistribution of body fat
- Mood swings and irritability
- Hair loss on the head and increased hair growth on the face
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating and reduced capacity
- Dry skin and mucous membranes (including vaginal dryness)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Bladder weakness and increased urinary tract infections
- Muscle and joint pain
- Palpitations and increased heart rate, feelings of unease
The good news is that most menopause symptoms only occur in phases and can be alleviated. Find out how to treat menopause symptoms in the following article.
