Hot Flashes as Menopause Symptoms
Hot flashes are common symptoms of
menopause related to changing estrogen levels. They may last a few years after menopause. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Your face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on your chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most hot flashes last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.
Vagina and Bladder Problems as Menopause Symptoms
The changing estrogen levels that occur during menopause can cause your genital area to get drier and thinner. This could make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. Some women get more vaginal or urinary infections. You might find it hard to hold urine long enough to get to the bathroom. Sometimes your urine might leak during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running. These can all be menopause symptoms related to the vagina and bladder.
Menopause Symptoms Related to Sex
Around the time of menopause, you may find that your feelings about sex have changed. You could be less interested. Or, on the other hand, you could feel freer and sexier after menopause. You can stop worrying about becoming pregnant after one full year without a period. Keep in mind, however, that you can't ever stop worrying about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as
HIV/
AIDS or
gonorrhea. If you think you might be at risk for an STD, make sure your partner uses a condom each time you have sex.
Sleep Problems as Menopause Symptoms
Sleep problems are another common symptom of menopause. You might start having trouble getting a good night's sleep. Maybe you can't fall asleep easily, or you wake up too early. Night sweats might wake you up. Or you might have trouble falling back to sleep if you wake up during the night.
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