As women get older, menopause begins to approach, and it can feel daunting. The only thing that most people know about menopause is that it signifies the end of your menstrual period. Menopause is a little more than that and can affect each woman differently. Some women may have intense symptoms, while others have mild issues. You need to know when you can expect to start going through menopause and how it can be identified.

Going Through Menopause

Menopause is typically described as the end of your menstrual cycle and is officially diagnosed when you’ve gone 12 months without your period. There are many signs that can point to menopause, and you need to be able to identify these. It’s helpful to understand when you might be dealing with menopause and how your symptoms can be managed.

Menopause can happen anywhere in your 40’s or 50’s. There are physical symptoms that typically accompany menopause, and it can feel overwhelming when you aren’t aware of what is happening. Some of the common physical symptoms include:

• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Slowed metabolism
• Thinning hair
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Dry skin

Symptoms can vary for each person and it’s important to understand that menopause is different for everyone. The most common symptom is a change in your period. It may take time for it to completely stop, but it’ll start being irregular and you might skip a few months before it comes back. If you have severe symptoms, your OBGYN can develop a treatment plan to manage these symptoms and make it easier to handle menopause.

Contact Our OBGYN Today

Find out how to identify menopause! Contact your OBGYN today to learn more about menopause and if you might be approaching that time in your life.