9 Menopause Symptoms It’s Better To Know About When You’re Young
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Menopause isn’t something you have to worry about till you’re in your late 40s (1). However, there’s no harm in bracing yourself for the most unpredictable phase of your life— full of emotional outbursts, mood swings, cramps, stress, etc. Menopause takes place when your ovaries stop the production of hormones, thereby leading to the discontinuation of your periods (2).
Menopause is a difficult time in a woman’s life. And awareness is the only thing you need to make it easier. Knowledge of the symptoms of menopause when you’re young can help you prepare for what’s coming. Here are 9 symptoms of menopause you should know about-
1. Mood Swings
Just like PMS, menopause is characterized by mood swings. The only difference is that the mood swings of the latter can be more severe. University of Pennsylvania’s professor Dr. E.W. Freeman, along with his colleagues conducted a 9-year long study on menopause to analyze its symptoms (3). His study revealed that a maximum number of women reported abrupt mood swings for no apparent reason during menopause.
2. Hot Flashes
Sweating profusely as well as facing hot flashes are common symptoms of menopause. This symptom begins with the feeling of a fever followed by sweating, and a red neck and face, and finally feeling cold (4). Around 80 percent of women experience this symptom, so you should definitely know how to control it (5). Following a healthy diet and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol can help.
3. Sleep Difficulties
Sleep troubles are a very common sign of menopause. Sleep issues take place during different phases of menopause and are linked to hot flashes and depression (6). If you can control depression and hot flashes, your sleep will be restored. You can always indulge in foods that better your mood and also keep yourself occupied with things that make you happy.
4. Depression
Menopause can increase your chances of sinking into depression (7). Although menopause is a natural phenomenon, certain women might be at a greater risk of developing depression during this phase of their lives. However, going to the doctor and seeking for medical help is indeed the best solution.
5. Poor Memory
Memory related issues can crop up when you hit menopause. Forgetting things is actually related to the symptom of hot flashes. According to a joint study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Northwestern University, women who experienced hot flashes frequently also had poor memory (8). Sixty-eight women aged between 44 and 62 years took part in the study, and each woman had a minimum of 35 hot flashes per week. Those who had more than 35 hot flashes performed worse on the memory tests. And so did the women who felt negative emotions.
6. Vascular Issues
The symptoms of menopause often coincide with and include vascular issues. The time of menopause can take a toll on the vascular health of women. That means that your heart can be in trouble if you’re not cautious enough. Hence, you should prioritize your cardiovascular health and do things that keep your system functioning properly. During menopause, an inflammation can develop in your arms and legs. Drinking lesser quantities of water in the evening can help you to control that.
7. Headaches
A study conducted by the University of Cincinnati revealed that not only do you get headaches during menopause, but your migraine may also worsen at this stage in your life (9). In general, women are more susceptible to headaches than men and have them in greater numbers. The study says this number of headaches increases in women by 76% when they get menopause. There’s nothing you can do apart from consulting your doctor and get a hormone therapy done for this. That’s because increased headaches can be attributed to your disturbed hormone levels.
8. Stress
During menopause, the secretion of a particular type of estrogen known as estradiol increases in most women (10). According to a particular study, the increase in estradiol can heighten your emotional sensitivity and make you more susceptible to psychosocial stress (11). To put it simply, high levels of estradiol can make you more sensitive to social rejection. Add psychosocial stress to it and you may even develop symptoms of depression. You can meditate or practice yoga to reduce stress.
9. Low Sex Drive
According to research, you may experience a sharp decline in your libido 20 months prior and 12 months after your last period. Post that, you’ll still face a continual decline in your sex drive over the next 5 years albeit at a slower rate (11). The importance of sex in your life can greatly reduce at this point.
Menopause is a difficult time. So, apart from knowing the symptoms, you should actively do something to smoothen the bumpy ride of menopause. A good diet and a stress-free lifestyle can help. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that you follow a calcium and fiber-rich diet. Also, avoid very salty and very sugary foods. Drink as much as water as you can.
Now that you know the horrors of menopause, you can sit back and equip yourself with ways to deal with before the dice starts rolling. Do you have friends and family going through menopause? How do they deal with it? Let us know in the comments below.
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