This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.

Menopause refers to a “pause” of a person’s menstrual cycle, but it’s really an ending. It’s also a completely normal part of aging. The age range for the onset of menopause can vary fairly widely, however, from around thirty-five to sixty years old.

Menopause can wreak havoc on a person’s life. They may experience both mental health issues as well as physical symptoms, some of which may be quite debilitating.

To help inform people about this fundamental stage of life, this article will examine common menopause symptoms and treatments.

Common Menopause Symptoms

There are many different symptoms that may arise during menopause or be exacerbated by menopause. Due to the brevity of this article, however, we’ll be focusing on just eight of the more common ones.

And if you would appreciate more guidance on the topic of menopause, you may want to check out a helpful resource such as those offered by BetterHelp.

Weight Gain

These symptoms are all brought on by essentially the same thing—sudden and drastic changes to your hormones. Although not every woman undergoing menopause will experience weight gain, it is quite common. There is also oftentimes a changing of where fat is stored in the body, meaning that menopause may see more fat grouping in the waist area.

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are probably the best-known symptom when it comes to menopause. It’s called a hot flash or “hot flush” because they come on quickly, make the body feel warm all over, and can also make the skin red (or “flushed”).

Insomnia

Hormonal changes can affect us in all kinds of ways. They may upset our balance of dopamine and serotonin, which help regulate our sleep. Once these chemicals are disrupted, insomnia is a common consequence. When you add on hot flashes that may often strike in the middle of the night, it’s no surprise that many people struggle with insomnia during menopause.

Irritability

You know who’s pretty much always grouchy? Someone who didn’t sleep enough. As you can see, many of these symptoms may bring on or exacerbate these others. Insomnia easily leads to irritability, and it may also be caused by the hormonal changes affecting one’s mood.

Fatigue

Insomnia can lead to irritability and also fatigue, which should be no big surprise. It may also be a result of the body coping with the sudden hormonal changes occurring during menopause.

Memory Loss

People experiencing menopause may also experience problems related to memory. In particular, they may have more trouble with short-term memory, which has to do with retention of less important day-to-day information.

Menopause generally occurs at a time when people are reaching middle age, however, so the memory loss may have other factors. Plus, other symptoms like fatigue or insomnia can also diminish the quality of our memory.

Depression

Menopausal individuals may be more likely to face depression than non-menopausal individuals. That said, there are many possible factors when it comes to depression. Of course, with so many potentially unpleasant symptoms, it’s not surprising that menopausal individuals may feel more depressed.

Joint Pain

Joint pain may also be a symptom of menopause. It could have to do with another medical condition, such as arthritis, which is also common to people of menopausal age.

No matter what symptoms you may have, if they are severe enough it is important to consult a doctor.

Common Menopause Treatments

Unfortunately, there isn’t necessarily a treatment for menopause. Instead, the goal is to treat the symptoms. This is partly why it’s so important to educate people about menopause symptoms.

Many of these may be treated by OTC medication and home remedies, but if they are severe, you should seek the opinion of your doctor, who may prescribe you stronger medication to treat your symptoms.

Conclusion

Menopause is unavoidable for people who experienced menstrual cycles up to the point of menopause. It may be a challenging period, but it can be managed by treating the symptoms and ensuring that there is plenty of rest and hydration.

As always, however, never hesitate to consult your doctor or a specialist if your quality of life is being significantly impacted.