Menopause symptoms are not the same for each woman. Some women have many symptoms and others have a few. Some common problems are:
- Shorter or longer cycles
- Heavier or lighter bleeding
- Spotting in between periods
- Problems getting pregnant
- A sudden feeling of heat that lasts 30 seconds to 5 minutes
- A flushed face and neck
- Stops a few years after menopause
- Skin in the genital area becomes drier and thinner
- Sex may become painful
- Vaginal dryness and burning
- Urinary tract problems, such as infection and incontinence
- Lower interest in sex
- Problems with arousal and comfort
- Problems sleeping
- Early morning waking
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Thickening at the waist
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increase in fat
- Loss of elasticity in the skin
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle stiffness or pain
- Problems with focus
- Thinning of scalp hair
- More hair on the face
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin No. 141: management of menopausal symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jan;123(1):202-16, reaffirmed 2016, correction can be found in Obstet Gynecol 2016 Jan;127(1):166.
Menopause. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/menopause . Updated December 5, 2019. Accessed July 22, 2020.
Menopause. Planned Parenthood website. Available at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menopause. Accessed July 22, 2020.
Menopause 101: A primer for the perimenopausal. North American Menopause Society website. Available at: http://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/menopause-101-a-primer-for-the-perimenopausal. Accessed July 22, 2020.
Menopause basics. Office on Women's Health website. Available at: http://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics/index.html. Updated March 18, 2019. Accessed July 23, 2020.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
- Review Date: 03/2020
- Update Date: 03/17/2021