Common Symptoms of Menopause by Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

							Menopause is a stage of life in which a woman ceases to have her monthly
period. Though not all women experience symptoms of menopause, about 70%
do, and the symptoms are sometimes severe enough to warrant treatment.
Elizabeth Poynor, M.D. treats women with complex gynecologic conditions and
provides menopausal symptom management, especially for women who have
survived or are at risk for gynecologic or breast cancers.

The most common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats,
irregular periods, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and fatigue. Hot
flashes affect the majority of women experiencing menopause, and are a
physical reaction to the decrease in the hormone estrogen. Night sweats are
more intense hot flashes that occur during sleep. Menstrual irregularity is
common in women who are approaching menopause, also known as
perimenopause, and is associated with hormone changes and imbalance.
Vaginal dryness and loss of libido are also related to a decrease in the
production of estrogen, and may result in emotional or relational problems with a
sexual partner.

It is not necessary to seek treatment for symptoms of menopause, but many
women do because their symptoms cause discomfort, emotional stress, or a
decreased ability to function in daily life. There are many available treatment
options for menopausal symptoms.