| Have you experienced sudden hot flushes at night that | | | | profuse sweating during the day and night. Both hot |
| cause disruptions to your sleep? Are you experiencing | | | | flashes and profuse sweating occurring at night may |
| irregular periods? Or are you feeling irritable and | | | | disrupt a woman's sleep and rest period, which can |
| experiencing mood swings? Are you in between the | | | | cause irritability and bad moods in the morning. |
| ages of 35 and 50? What you are experiencing might | | | | 2. There will be irregular periods with probable |
| be the signs and symptoms of menopause. A lot of | | | | alternating heavy and light flow until menstruation finally |
| women go through their menopausal period gracefully | | | | ceases to occur. |
| without experiencing a lot of problems. You too, can | | | | 3. A woman entering the menopausal period may |
| go through menopause with fewer problems. This is | | | | experience bouts of irritability and mood swings. |
| possible if you know how to handle yourself and the | | | | Sometimes these mood changes are traced back to |
| situation. | | | | the hot flashes, which occur during her resting period. |
| A woman's body begins to prepare for menopause | | | | These often deprive her of a complete rest at night |
| sometime between her late 30s and late 50s. During | | | | and may result to irritability during waking hours. |
| this time, the levels of her hormones required for | | | | 4. Vaginal dryness is one of the conditions a woman |
| pregnancy start to decline. These two hormones are | | | | may experience during menopause. |
| estrogen and progesterone. Because of the decline in | | | | 5. Intercourse is usually painful because of less |
| the production of these two hormones, she will start to | | | | lubrication caused by vaginal dryness. |
| experience irregular menstrual periods. She will also | | | | Many women may experience only a few or none of |
| experience the cessation of the egg production in her | | | | the above signs and symptoms and may not notice |
| ovaries. This condition will finally lead to the termination | | | | any major changes in their bodies, except at the end |
| of her menstruation. | | | | of their periods. Others may experience all the signs |
| The occurrence of menopause varies among women. | | | | and symptoms of menopause but may not feel very |
| However, the average age is about 51. Some | | | | uncomfortable at all. |
| conditions like surgery and some illnesses can cause | | | | It is estimated that about 1 in 4 women will have a |
| the earlier occurrence of menopause but more often | | | | strong response to the levels of hormonal shift. These |
| menopause is a slow process that usually takes about | | | | changes in the hormone production may make them |
| 2 to 5 years. | | | | feel emotionally and physically distressed. |
| The following are the signs and symptoms a woman | | | | A woman in menopause should tell her family and |
| may experience as soon as she enters menopause: | | | | loved ones about the changes she is undergoing. This |
| 1. A sudden feeling of heat mostly occurring in the | | | | will enable those around her to be more understanding |
| face, neck and chest areas - This condition is more | | | | about her situation and provide her with the necessary |
| commonly referred to as hot flashes or flushes. | | | | support she needs during this important phase in her |
| Together with hot flashes, a woman may experience | | | | life. |