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The symptoms of menopause
You could argue that the physical and mental changes that occur during menopause aren't really "symptoms." The term is usually associated with a disease, which menopause is not. Also, it is often hard to say which changes are a direct result of a drop in hormone levels and which are natural consequences of aging. Some of the symptoms overlap or have a cascade effect. For example, vaginal dryness may contribute to a lower sex drive, and frequent nighttime hot flashes may be a factor in insomnia.
A 2005 report from the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that hot flashes and vaginal dryness are the two symptoms most frequently linked with menopause. The report, which included data from 48 different studies, found that other symptoms commonly attributed to menopause, such as sleep disturbances, urinary complaints, sexual dysfunction, mood changes, and quality of life, are not consistently associated with the hormone changes seen with menopause transition.
Each of the symptoms listed below is followed by treatment suggestions. For additional detail about specific over-the-counter and prescription therapies, including hormonal treatments, see "Treating menopausal symptoms."
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| Last updated: | August 13, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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