Signs of menopause

Menstrual cycle

In most women, the first signs of the onset of menopause are changes in the menstrual cycle, which can be observed from the age of 40-45 years. Often these are not seen as the first signs of menopause, but other causes such as Ascribed to everyday stress.

The monthly bleeding is often much stronger and longer lasting and the time between the individual bleeding is longer than usual until it finally ends after the so-called menopause (last menstrual period) stops completely.

Often there is also intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding in the cycle without the onset of menstruation being expected). These observations are referred to in specialist books as "dysfunctional bleeding" summarized.

Hot flashes / excessive sweating

Another common symptom of the onset of menopause is sudden and unexpected hot flashes, sweats, and excessive sweating.
These are particularly observed in the face, neck and upper body.

First there is a strong reddening of the skin areas described, then the onset of strong perspiration (sweating) and finally shivering.

Read more on the subject at:

• Menopausal hot flashes
• Menopausal sweating
• Duration of hot flashes

Dry mucous membrane

Many women also complain during their menopause of the increasing dryness of the mucous membranes (especially in the area of ​​the vagina and labia), which leads to problems during sexual intercourse. Due to the decreasing estrogen level at this time (female sex hormone) there may be less moisture penetration of the vagina during sexual arousal, which is also called Lubrication failure referred to as.

Sleep disorders and mood swings

Another one typical sign menopause are sleep disorders. Affected women exhibit both Fall asleep- as well as Difficulty sleeping through the night on, which often occurs through at night Hot flashes arise.

Other causes of restless sleep can also be more mental, more psychic and spiritual nature be. Mood swings, i.e. Sudden, unfounded and uncontrolled changes in feeling (for example, from overjoyed to very upset to angry) often occur and can also occur during menopause severe irritation and inner restlessness that make it difficult to fall asleep relaxed.

Possible consequences of the resulting Lack of sleep are those that exist during the day exhaustion as well as a lower efficiency. That way one can Vicious circle arise, because constant exhaustion can lead to dissatisfaction, which in turn can cause problems falling asleep and staying asleep.

This discontent in some women can and should even turn into a depressive mood by no means underestimated become. For many women, the topic of menopause is a problem despite the fact that it has now been well educated Taboo subjectwhich is often kept secret. The knowledge that one's own body is developing from a young, fertile woman to a slightly more mature, sterile woman scares many. You should always be aware that this process of change is something perfectly normal that affects every woman sooner or later.

If the mood swings (especially towards sadness, exhaustion and depression) are too stressful, it is recommended professional psychological advice to catch up.

Weight gains

Another not infrequently described sign of menopause is weight gain despite unchanged eating habits.

Many women, especially between the ages of 40 and 50, notice a pronounced fat accumulation for their circumstances. Typically, the belly and breasts get bigger, the bottom flatter and the waist wider. The body parts of the fat accumulation are somewhat similar to those of a man, which can be attributed to the continuous decrease in the level of estrogen. As a result, the male sex hormone testosterone, which every woman carries in her body in addition to estrogen and many other hormones, gains the upper hand and its effects are intensified.

Another reason for unintended weight gain during menopause is the increasing age of women. A slightly older person usually needs significantly smaller amounts of food than a younger one, which means that normal portions are often too much and can gradually lead to weight gain.

However, increased fat accumulation during menopause also has an advantage for women: fat tissue has the property of producing estrogen. An increased proportion of fat increases the level of female sex hormone, which leads to a reduction in all symptoms that result from a lack of estrogen.

Read more on the subject at: Losing weight during menopause.

Similarities to pregnancy

However, some women also feel it during their menopause Symptomsthat resemble those of pregnancy. So become part of a Tension in the breasts, Sensitivity to touch up to severe chest pain, which can occur on one or both sides.

Most of the time these occur in the second half of the cycle which, however, cannot always be clearly assigned due to the increasing irregularity of the cycle.

The uncomfortable feeling in the chest can not only cause one physical exertion of the woman, but in some cases also the Limit tenderness in the partnership. Intimate moments with your partner, but also warm hugs with good friends, can turn into torture, which often leads to them being avoided. A Avoidance behavior this type can lead to problems in the social environment and should be avoided by one honest conversation clarified with the partner or other close people.

Bladder weakness

Another described sign of menopause is a increased need to urinatethat even up to Bladder weakness can lead.

The feeling Urge to urinate is created on the one hand by the Fill status of the Urinary bladder and the associated stretching of Stretch receptors in the bladder wall and to the other through irritants in the urine. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, the body notices these irritating substances earlier and thus rather sends the urge to urinate signal to the brain.

Has a woman already had some pregnancies, or births Pelvic surgery experienced, it can also become a Weakening of the pelvic floor come. The pelvic floor consists of one strong muscle layerwhich, among other things, is responsible for completely closing the urethra (this is also known as continence). If this area loosens, urine from the bladder can flow down the urethra without barriers and cause the woman to relax unintentionally wet. In most cases this is what is known as stress incontinence, i.e. under stress (Sneezing, laughing, running, climbing stairs) the woman loses control of the occlusion of her urethra and some of the urine flows out unhindered.

osteoporosis

A particularly important aspect in menopause is the increasing risk of osteoporosis (Bone loss) due to the falling estrogen level. This is a shift in the balance between bone formation and bone loss; it will now increased bone degradation.

A distinction is made between the primary and the secondary form (Age osteoporosis) osteoporosis, with menopausal women mainly suffering from the primary form. Due to the increasingly weaker bone structure, it can already be minor injuries (like a seemingly banal fall in everyday life) to Broken bones or -cracks come. However, before a fracture (Broken bone), the osteoporosis is almost symptomless.