The Unfortunate Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of aging as our bodies transition from being primarily productive to becoming slower, weaker, and less resistant. However, what may come as a surprise to many is that menopause can be quite an unpleasant experience for many women, with various side effects.

While there’s no way to avoid or reverse menopause, it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms you may experience once you reach menopause so that you can take action if they appear earlier than expected. Understanding your body and the imminent changes will also allow you to take measures to mitigate some of the negative effects ahead of time.

Symptoms of Menopause

Depression and Anxiety

When menopause begins, many women will experience a significant drop in the level of estrogen in their bodies. The hormone estrogen has been linked to positive mood; therefore, a lower level of this hormone can potentially lead to depression and anxiety. Similarly, menopause is also associated with higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Data suggest that between 26% and 70% of menopausal women experience some form of mood disorder.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

According to Hopkins Medicine, hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause, affecting approximately 75% of women experiencing this transition. They’re caused by a sudden and significant rise in your core body temperature, triggered by your overactive nervous system. As many as 80% of women also experience night sweats due to menopause, where excessive sweating at night can lead to excessive dryness in the skin and even cause the sheets to become damp. This can leave you feeling extremely uncomfortable, so it’s crucial to find a way to manage these side effects caused by hot flashes.

Loss of Muscle Mass and Strength

As you age, your muscle mass naturally begins to decline. However, this process is accelerated in the years following menopause, so it’s essential to focus on gaining and maintaining muscle mass in your later years. However, you can also work to reduce this accelerated rate of muscle loss in your 40s and 50s by engaging in more strength-based exercises. This can help you retain muscle mass and strength later and reduce your overall risk of developing various diseases and health complications.

Weight Gain

Menopause is also associated with significant changes in your metabolic health, leading to weight gain, especially around your midsection or abdomen. This is caused by a reduced metabolic rate and your body’s ability to process carbohydrates and break down fat. However, there are ways to mitigate some of these effects as you approach menopause. You can eat a healthy diet rich in high-protein foods and low-carbohydrate, high-fat meals. This will help to stabilize your blood sugar levels and prevent your body from continuing to break down muscle tissue for energy.

Constant Skin Issues

As you approach menopause, your skin will likely experience a reduction in hydration and a noticeable increase in the rate at which it produces oil — this can lead to a higher likelihood of experiencing breakouts,  according to the American Academy of Dermatology. However, you can help to mitigate these symptoms with an effective skincare regime. It’s important to choose skincare products with natural ingredients and to ensure that they’re appropriately balanced to address your unique skin type.

While menopause is a natural and essential process, with some preparation and foresight, it can be managed, and the adverse effects can be reduced. Stay tuned for the next section for some valuable tips for managing menopause.

Final Thought

While the symptoms of menopause are often unpleasant, it’s important to remember that they are a natural process that every woman will experience at some point in their life. With the right precautions, you can help to mitigate the effects of menopause and live a healthy and happy life in the years to come.

If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, you must talk to your doctor about ways to manage and reduce these symptoms. And remember that everyone will experience menopause differently, so while one woman may experience a few of these symptoms, another may experience many of them. Everyone is different, so there is no way to know exactly what you’ll experience during menopause. For better health advice about menopause concerns, fill out the form below or visit our website, and we will be in touch.