If you are female, you may either be looking forward to or dreading the approach of menopause. Menopause side effects have been the subject of much discussion and many women worry about them because they are not totally certain what to expect. A little knowledge can help them feel much more optimistic about what is ahead of them.
Menopause is a process that is a gradual one. Slowly, a woman’s body produces decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are responsible for ovulation and also allow women to become pregnant and carry a baby. As a result, menopause signals the end of a woman’s reproductive life. That fact, along with the fluctuations in hormones, can cause serious issues in a woman’s life and may cause health issues to arise.
Symptoms can begin gradually and because of this it can be difficult for women to tell that they are entering menopause. There may be other causes for menopause side effects and this is why it is important for women to get physical exams when they think that they are beginning to enter menopause. That way, their doctors can rule out any other medical conditions and discuss specific treatments such as hormone replacement therapy or herbal medications that can ease their symptoms.
A woman’s body temperature can fluctuate wildly during menopause. This causes what are known as hot flashes. Women may find that they suddenly becomes horrendously overheated and may sweat profusely. This can cause them to take extreme steps such as turning on an air conditioner in the middle of winter.
Insomnia is also a common side effect of menopause. This may be caused if hot flashes or night sweats occur during a woman’s sleep. Declining hormone levels can also interrupt a woman’s normal sleep pattern and leave her feeling tired and drained.
Estrogen and progesterone can also affect a woman’s sex drive. As they decline she may find her libido declines as well. This may also be accompanied by vaginal dryness that can make intercourse difficult or painful. In this case, it may cause problems between women and their partners and may make women feel tense or anxious, especially if they enjoyed an active physical relationship before beginning menopause.
Emotions and mental status are not spared during menopause. Women may find that they have mood swings or that they are confused and irritable. Loss of reproductive ability may cause depression that needs to be addressed.
If women think they are experiencing menopause side effects that are causing them a large amount of discomfort, they need to speak to their doctor. There may be medications that can address specific symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy is a controversial treatment choice that can relieve symptoms but it has some side effects that need to be discussed and it is not for everyone.
Amberen is a natural alternative to hormone therapy as a solution to the effects of menopause. Amberen reviews provide information about the side effects and benefits of the product.