Menopause, Medical Aspects of

Physical Symptoms Associated with Menopause

Transitional discomfort has been reported to include, but is not limited to, vaginal dryness, decrease in sexual arousal, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, night sweats, difficulty concentrating, fluctuating mood states, urinary incontinence, headaches, vertigo, weight gain, and aches and pains. It is important to know that most women do not experience all of the symptoms; in fact, some women report that they did not notice any signs or symptoms until they realized that they had not had to buy tampons or pads for months. No one can predict what an individual woman's experience will be like until she finds out for herself.

Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and joint pain have been linked to declining estrogen levels. The experience of hot flashes is as unique as each woman to whom the sensation occurs. Hot flashes often include sudden rushes of perspiration, redness or flush in the face, heat sensations in the chest and/or back, and waves of heat that pulsate from the head throughout the torso. Hot flashes can occur as rarely as a few times per week or as often as a few times per hour. The average length of a hot flash is about three minutes. Not all [Page 924]women experience hot flashes, but they are the most commonly reported symptom of menopause.

Declines in a woman's sexual libido can be due to a number of reasons, including relational problems, stress, or other environmental factors, as well as the decline in the natural lubrication of vaginal walls due to changing hormone levels. The vagina may become tightened, narrowed, or shortened, which can result in painful intercourse or difficulty masturbating that contributes to a loss of interest in sexual activity. However, some women report increases in libido after menopause; they find that the end of worries about pregnancy and contraception provide a renewed sense of sexual freedom.

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