If you're a woman who is in your middle-aged years, you may experience some significant changes in your body. This is the time when you may stop having your menstrual cycle, and this can have a huge impact on many areas of your life. There are some significant symptoms that often accompany this stage of life, and if these are severe, you may want to consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Knowing what the signs of menopause are can let you know if your body is entering this time of life:
Sign #1: Your body stays warm
One of the most common symptoms of menopause for many women includes having hot flashes. These are also referred to heat flushes that may last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Some studies show as many as 86% of women experience hot flashes during menopause.
The severity and frequency of having this warm sensation will increase if you're obese or smoke.
Sign #2: You feel frequently feel sad
Many women will experience depression and feeling sad more frequently because of the decrease in hormones that occurs after menopause. The continual fluctuation in hormone levels is touted as being the biggest cause of your depression and also can increase the possibility of varying moods throughout the day.
Sign #3: You've gained some weight
It's not uncommon for middle-aged menopausal women to put on a few extra pounds during this stage of life. These are commonly added to the mid-section and due to an increase in body fat.
Menopause can help lower your metabolism and make it much harder for you to burn calories at the right you were accustomed to earlier in life.
Studies reveal that as much as 90% of women will gain weight during menopause and much of the reasons for this is due to the change in hormone levels.
Sign #4: You have irregular periods
The beginning stage of menopause may present itself by you having periods that aren't regular. This is your body working toward this stage of life and over time you there will be a complete cessation of your menstrual cycles.
Finally, dealing with menopause doesn't have to be a constant battle. Be sure to talk to your gynecologist about effective ways to minimize your discomfort and to discuss treatment options. You can still have a high-quality of life as you get older and experience the change that it brings to you.
To learn more or ask other questions, contact a company like Central Iowa OB/Gyn Specialists, PLC.
Share3 April 2015
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