An Overview Of Menopause Symptoms

The bane of previously active and self-directed women is the onset of menopause symptoms. Although it is not the only symptom of menopause, the rapid rise of temperature of the body, followed by autonomic response to cool the body, known as a hot flash is the most obvious and troubling symptom. Menopause is defined as the day following the close of the last menstrual flow. Since a full year must elapse without a menstrual period in order to be considered ceased, you won't be able to say you have completed menopause until a year after it has happened.

Realistically, menopause is defined as the multi-year period when the production of reproductive hormones decrease and then cease. Menopause is also called The Change, The Change of Life or Perimenopause. The length and the symptoms vary with different women.

The typical symptom associated with menopause is the hot flash. Women also have episodes of racing heart beats. The woman may have migraines. Painful joints and muscle pain can be common. Activities may be curtailed due to the severity of the symptoms.

Reduction of hormones such as estrogen can lead to significant changes in the urinary and genital area. The tissue can become dry and irritated. Thinning of the cervix, vulva and vagina membranes is typical. There may be some bleeding and a thin, watery discharge. More frequent urination is common. The woman may experience a stronger urgency and may find that incontinence is an increasing problem. Itching of the skin in the inner and outer genitals can be problematic.

Treatment for symptoms of menopause varies according to their severity. Some women choose to get through the months or years of symptoms using natural measures. Some ask for hormone replacement therapy in order to buffer the symptoms. Most treatment efforts are focused at hot flashes, since they are the most common symptom. A woman may decide to deal with the symptoms by clothing revisions. For example, she may switch to natural fibers and wear layers that can be removed quickly when necessary.

An herbal remedy that helps to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause is black cohosh. The herb helps to boost the thermostat sensitivity so that there are no longer false positive readings on the outside temperature. When the body temperature goes up rapidly, the natural body reaction is to speed up the heart rate and to perspire. Herbs such as black cohosh help to prevent that.

Hormonal replacement therapy is the strongest treatment plan for menopause symptoms. It also is the most likely to have side effects. Most women choose to use a less aggressive course for treating the symptoms.