Symptoms of Menopause

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Menopause symptoms are not the same for each woman. Some women have many symptoms and others have a few. Some common problems are:

Irregular Periods and Irregular Ovulation

  • Shorter or longer cycles
  • Heavier or lighter bleeding
  • Spotting in between periods
  • Problems getting pregnant

Hot Flashes

  • A sudden feeling of heat that lasts 30 seconds to 5 minutes
  • A flushed face and neck
  • Stops a few years after menopause

Vaginal and Bladder Problems

  • 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

Changes in Sexuality

  • Lower interest in sex
  • Problems with arousal and comfort

Fatigue and Sleep Problems

  • Problems sleeping
  • Early morning waking

Mood Changes

Changes in the Body

  • Thickening at the waist
  • Loss of muscle mass
  • Increase in fat
  • Loss of elasticity in the skin

Other Problems

  • Headaches
  • Joint and muscle stiffness or pain
  • Problems with focus
  • Thinning of scalp hair
  • More hair on the face
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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:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed July 22, 2020.
Menopause basics. Office on Women's Health website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated March 18, 2019. Accessed July 23, 2020.
Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 3/17/2021

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