What are the most common symptoms of menopause?

Women may experience several symptoms as they enter menopause. The most common include hot flashes (feelings of warmth in the face, neck or chest), night sweats, changes in vaginal tissue (such as thinning, dryness, itchiness or burning), thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting, mood changes and urinary problems.

The severity of these and other symptoms can vary from one woman to the next. Some problems, such as hot flashes, gradually fade with time.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the period of transition between your reproductive years and the onset of menopause. The occurrence of perimenopause is usually characterized by a fluctuation in your menstrual cycle.

However, if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting and have not had a period for 12 consecutive months, you should notify your doctor. This can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition such as cancer, or noncancerous growths in the lining of the uterus. It is also a possible side effect of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy or a result of a hormonal imbalance.

Can I prevent or reduce menopause symptoms?

There is no way to prevent the onset of menopause. However, if you experience severe symptoms, you can take steps to alleviate them. The most common method of achieving this is through hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sometimes called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).