Posted by Signature Medical Group on Friday, May 13, 2016 in Obstetrics/Gynecology
Menopause is a time of incredible physical and emotional change in a woman's life. And every woman's experience is unique. By knowing in advance what changes to expect, you can ease into this transitional period and make it less stressful. Here are five bodily and psychological changes to anticipate during menopause.
- Your ovaries will begin to produce less estrogen. Drastic menstrual changes should be expected. Eventually, your menstrual period will disappear completely. When it's been gone for an entire year, you are free of the risk of pregnancy.
- Hot flashes will begin occurring. Heat will suddenly rush to your upper body and face. Your skin may redden, and you may break out in a sweat, followed by chills. Hot flashes can last from a few seconds to several minutes or longer, and they can occur at any time of the day.
- Hot flashes that occur at night can affect your sleep. Often known as night sweats, these flashes may wake you up and leave you feeling tired and sluggish the next day. Night sweats will exacerbate any existing issues you face with falling asleep or staying asleep during this time.
- As your estrogen levels decrease, the vaginal lining will become thinner, drier and less elastic. When this happens, some women experience vaginal burning or itching. This vaginal dryness can also cause pain during intercourse.
- Your hormones will change drastically. Such changes can significantly affect a woman's emotions, leading to mood swings, memory lapses, depression or poor concentration.
The gradual slowing of a woman's ovarian functions may sometimes cause unwelcome symptoms. So the best thing to do during this time is to talk to your Signature Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist, in Missouri and Kansas, commonly referred to as OB/GYN. Signature Medical Group in Missouri and Kansas is a group of doctors committed to serving the health care needs of every woman who comes in to see us. Our OB/GYN physicians in St. Louis and Kansas City are eager to be your resource for any concerns during this time, and they will provide excellent medical care in a sensitive and supportive setting.
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