What exactly happens during menopause?
What exactly happens during menopause?
Scientifically, menopause is caused by a change in hormone levels as women get older. It occurs when your ovaries stop producing so much oestrogen, and also no longer release an egg each month. The most obvious symptom is that you stop having your periods, but there are other ‘side effects’ as well as the result of the lower hormone levels. Different people experience those symptoms to various different degrees - some experience them acutely, others barely notice them.
What are the top 10 signs of menopause?
It’s important to remember that different people experience menopausal symptoms to very different degrees, and if you are struggling or are concerned about them then you should never be afraid to seek support from your GP or seek out other women going through similar situations to talk and find out what works for them.
10 of the most common signs of menopause include:
- Night sweats
- Hot flushes
- Irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Problems focusing/concentrating
- Stress, depression, anxiety
- Reduced libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex
- Your periods stop
