The signs and symptoms of menopause are easy to recognize, though it requires a visit to the doctor to have menopause officially diagnosed.  In order to confirm menopause, the doctor may run a series of tests.  These tests include checking your follicle-stimulating (FSH) levels and your estrogen levels.  Both of these tests are completed through taking a blood sample.  If you are going through menopause, your FSH levels will be elevated while your estrogen levels will be lower. 

 

Since some other disorders have signs and symptoms similar to menopause, your doctor  may test for some of these disorders as well.  The most common test is for thyroid-stimulating hormone in order to test for hypothyroidism.

 

There are several symptoms that can indicate you are going through menopause.  These include:

 

• Irregular periods

• Decreased fertility levels

• Vaginal changes

• Urinary changes

• Hot flashes

• Sleeping problems

• Night sweats

• Changes in physical appearance

• Emotional

• Cognitive changes

 

In most women, these symptoms begin to occur between the ages of 45 and 65. 

 

Irregular Periods

 

If a woman’s periods suddenly stop, they are considered irregular.  Similarly, if the periods begin to gradually get lighter or heavier before stopping, it is also a sign of menopause.  When a woman’s periods begin to behave in an unpredictable manner, it is generally the first clue she gets that the menopause process has started.

 

Women experiencing irregular periods are also less likely to become pregnant because of the fluctuations in ovulation.  Therefore, decreased fertility is a symptom of menopause, even though it may not be physically apparent to the woman.  It is important to remember, however, that a woman is still capable of getting pregnant until she has not experienced a period for one full year.

 

Urinary and Vaginal Changes

 

As the woman’s estrogen levels begin to decline, the tissues that line her vagina and her urethra start to become thinner and drier.  As a result, they lose their elasticity.  In addition, the lack of lubrication may result in itching or burning of the vaginal area.

 

The lack of lubrication and the weakening of the tissue also makes the woman more likely to develop infections in her vagina and in her urinary tract.  This may cause sexual intercourse to become quite uncomfortable.  In addition, the weakened urethra, which serves as the opening to the bladder, can cause the woman to feel an increased need to urinate.  This may also result in incontinence.

 

 

Hot Flashes

 

Hot flashes are possibly the most talked about and dreaded of menopause symptoms.  This sudden feeling of increased heat is caused by the blood vessels expanding rapidly when estrogen levels drop.  The feeling usually spread from the woman’s chest to her shoulders and then to her head and neck. 

 

The increase in temperature can cause the woman to sweat.  As the sweat evaporates, she begins to experience chills.  This can lead to a feeling of weakness and may even make her feel slightly faint.  These hot flashes can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. Sleeping problems and night sweats are often a direct result of hot flashes.

 

Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Changes

 

Weight gain is a common sign of menopause.  In addition, many women experience thinning hair, wrinkled skin, and a loss of fullness in their breasts when going through menopause.  Another side effect is the development of coarse hair on the upper lip, chip, abdomen, and chest as the estrogen to testosterone balance in her body changes.  Many women also experience fatigue, irritability, and decreased concentration and memory when going through the change.