Symptoms and signs

Normally, women recognize themselves the signs and symptoms of the menopause. Sometimes though, a doctor's opinion may come in handy. In some certain cases, a specialist may recommend a series of investigations like the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol) check, who's levels can increase or decrease, and, thyroid-stimulating hormone, which can cause similar symptoms to the menopause.

Most cases of menopause are encountered in women aging between 45 and 55, but each woman has her personal biological watch that determines when menopause comes so there may be women that reach it at the age of 30 or 40 and women that can reach it even at 60 years. Just as the age differs, also the symptoms and signs differ for each woman. For some it may be easy to pass through those changes and for some, the transition may involve difficult physical and emotional changes like:

• - One of the first signs of menopause that appears is irregularity in periods, lighter or heavier flow in the beginning, leading to an eventual stopping, or, sometimes, a sudden stop.
• - The fertility decreases due to ovulation variation. Although it is less likely, it is not impossible to remain pregnant for one more year after the less period.
• - Due to estrogen's dropping level, the tissues of your vagina and urethra (the opening to the bladder) loose their thickness and elasticity and become drier, and, cause itching or burning sensation or enlighten the possibility of infection. Vaginal and urinary changes will lead to uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse and fluctuations in urinary habits.
• - As the estrogen level decreases, the blood vessels may expand rapidly and cause hot flashes. The hot flashes are the increase of skin temperature, that can be felt from the chest up to the shoulders and head, sweats and chills that can make a woman feel uncomfortable. The face may look blushed, red marks may appear on the chest, neck and arms. The hot flashes normally last between 30 seconds and a couple of minutes, but in some cases they can last much longer, and, have an unexpected frequency depending on each woman's organism.
• - The effects of hot flashes are different and can disturb your moods or your health. You may have trouble sleeping caused by sweats or chills, or even find it hard falling asleep.
• - Changes of looks will appear, gaining a little weight (4-6 pounds usually) that will set above your waist and on the abdomen now and not on the hips as before menopause. The breasts appearance may change, the hair will get thinner, the skin gets wrinkled and, due to the male hormone testosterone that your body will continue to release, you may develop rough hair on your abdomen, chest and face.
• - Fatigue, decreased memory, irritability, diminished concentration, are the emotional changes you will experience when approaching menopause. Though some say these changes come from the hormonal fluctuations, it is more likely for them to be effects of the symptoms of menopause or of aging.

Medical advice

In both stages of perimenopause and postmenopause, a doctor's evaluation is helpful. Changes will appear in a woman's life not only from the menopause itself but from aging to, or from both of these factors together. They increase the possibility of reaching some conditions, so, the doctor can prescribe medication to avoid some of them or to see what benefits they can bring for the lifestyle.

If a period skips, a doctor will determine whether it is the cause of menopause approaching or it is a pregnancy case. The assessment will be established by medical records, pelvic examination or a pregnancy test if necessary.

If a woman experiences vaginal bleeding in the postmenopause stage, she must consult a doctor.