Am I going through menopause?

Roger Gower, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology

When women reach their midlife years, estrogen levels start to decrease. Ovulation becomes less and less frequent and eventually stops. This process, which includes perimenopause (the time period directly before menopause) and menopause itself can result in changes to a woman’s body and mind.

Roger Gower, MD, explained what changes happen during menopause, how long it lasts and what signs to watch for.

How does your body change during menopause?

“One of the main changes women often see during menopause is a slower metabolism and a shift in the distribution of weight in their bodies,” said Dr. Gower. “This might include weight gain, or just clothing fitting differently even if your weight stays the same.”

Sleep disturbances are very common, including struggling to fall asleep or waking up multiple times throughout the night. You may notice increased skin dryness or other changes, as well as joint aches and pains as well as accelerated bone loss.

What are common signs of menopause?

“One of the most widely known and common signs of menopause is hot flashes,” said Dr. Gower. “You may also notice night sweats, or sweating heavily without fever, increased intolerance to heat and even insomnia.”

Some women struggle with increased vaginal dryness and a lower sex drive. Headaches and feelings of anxiety or depression are also commonly reported and may resolve at least in part after menopause.

Does menopause affect your skin and hair?

As estrogen levels drop, the collagen content of skin and bones is also reduced. This can lead to skin becoming thin, dry and wrinkled in some women. Hair may also begin to thin out and even recede. Hormone therapy can help to treat this to some degree but may not be able to fully alleviate it.

Some women take collagen or other vitamins and supplements focused on maintaining skin elasticity and the fullness of their hair, but supplements are not as heavily regulated by the FDA as medicines. Speak to your physician before taking any supplement to ensure you aren’t taking any medications that might negatively interact.

How long does menopause last?

“On average, significant menopause symptoms will last about two years,” said Dr. Gower. “However, the length of menopause varies between individuals. Some women will see resolution within a couple of years, but others could have at least some symptoms of menopause for a decade or more.”

Is there anything you can do to make menopause easier?

“If symptoms of menopause are interfering with your ability to keep up with your daily routine, hormone replacement therapy can help to relieve them,” said Dr. Gower.

Hormone replacement therapy often involves estrogen delivered through a skin patch or tablet. Progesterone may also be used and can help to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia. For vaginal dryness, estrogen may be applied internally or vaginally, and those dealing with vaginal dryness may want to purchase lubrication to help keep physical intimacy as comfortable as possible. There are also medications that may help with hot flashes, but they have some side effects that mean they may not be the right choice for everyone.

Speak to your doctor about menopause and what you can do to relieve bothersome symptoms and stay comfortable during midlife.