What's causes menopause and what's the most common problems?

We know that menopausal symptoms affect about 70% - 85% of women approaching their menopause (in fact the male version of menopause is Andropause) and that the most typical menopause symptoms are hot flashes and/or night sweats. These and other symptoms are caused by changes in hormonal levels.

Even though most women notice early symptoms while still having their periods, the falling and fluctuating hormone levels is called perimenopause, which often begins in the early 40s or as early as late 30s.

The menopause symptoms last usually for several years until woman reaches mid 50s, but some women may experience them even longer or for the rest of their lives.

However, today there are a variety of ways to combat these menopause symptoms that can be considered and gradually herbal treatments are more and more used due to the high risk of chemical hormones used in traditional HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

01-02) Hot and Cold Flashes/Flushes

Irregular Periods Most of woman experiencing menopause will also get hot or cold flushes/flashes and can be felt like a sudden and without warning a warm or sweat sensation that spreads over the body and it feels particularly on the face and upper part of the body. Even though this makes the person uncomfortable, rest assured they're just normal and part of reaching menopause and it's just the body's reaction to a decreased supply of oestrogen and progesterone.

03) Night Sweats

Hot or cold flashes may also occur night time, known as night sweats, are typically more intense and is a common perspiration disorder that occurs during sleep.

04) Sleep Disorders

During menopause you may waking up a lot at night or wake up by every small movements in the bedroom, also because you must go to the rest room several times during the night. You might be tossing, turning and having problems getting a good night sleep.

The problems in sleep patterns are recognised as having its roots in changes in female hormone levels.

09) Irregular Periods

Female hormones are a key factor to regular periods. During menopause when the same hormones becomes irregular, the periods will also change, causing periods to become absent, short, irregular or even stop few months before it comes again with even heavier bleeding.

Menstrual irregularity is most common when you start to reach menopause because lack of hormonal balance caused by a decrease in oestrogen production.

© 2008/10 Anne-Selene.com, All Rights Reserved.