Menopause is a phase of life when a woman’s body stops producing the hormones that regulate her reproductive system. This can happen naturally, with age, or as a result of medical treatment. While the end result is the same, menopause can cause several uncomfortable symptoms in women, including physical, emotional, and mental changes.
The most common symptoms of menopause include:
- Hot flashes – a sudden sensation of warmth that can cause a person to sweat more than usual and feel flushed
- Vaginal dryness – a lack of lubrication, which can result in discomfort during intercourse
- Mood changes – including feelings of irritability, anxiety, and depression
- Sleep disturbances – including insomnia and waking up several times during the night
- Weight gain – because the hormones that regulate metabolism and appetite have diminished
- Loss of libido – a decrease in sexual desire
All these symptoms are commonly experienced by women during menopause, but the one symptom that is not is hair loss. While menopause can cause hair thinning due to the decrease of estrogen and progesterone, this is not a common symptom of menopause.