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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the signs and symptoms of menopause?

    Related Topics
    Menopause Women's Health
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    Jean Hailes for Women's Health

    Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a leader in women’s health, supported by funding from the Australian Government. We provide trusted and easy-to-understand information to … View Profile

    As we approach menopause, the production of hormones (i.e. oestrogen) by the ovaries starts to slow down. As this process accelerates, hormone levels fluctuate more and often a woman notices changes in her menstrual cycle. Cycles may become longer, shorter or totally irregular, bleeding may become lighter or unpredictable and heavy.

    Other common symptoms associated with the onset of menopause include:

    • Hot flushes and night sweats
    • Aches and pains
    • Crawling or itching sensations under the skin
    • Headaches
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Reduced sex drive (libido)
    • Urinary frequency
    • Tiredness
    • Irritability
    • Depression
    • Sleeping difficulty
    • Lack of self esteem
    • Forgetfulness
     
    Menopause symptoms can begin gradually over two to six years before the last menstrual period. This time is called the perimenopause - from the time periods become irregular until 12 months after that final period.

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    Dr Carolyn Ee

    Acupuncturist, GP (General Practitioner)

    I'm a Sydney GP with a special interest in women's health especially menopause and TTC ( trying to conceive). I specialise in acupuncture, and am … View Profile

    The most common symptoms are hot flushes and night sweats, which are due to a reduction of oestrogen (a female hormone produced by the ovaries). These symptoms are specific to the menopause and appear to affect most women going through the “change”. The other symptoms mentioned above certainly appear commonly during the peri- and post-menopause (The time before and after the last menstrual period) but may also be due to other factors such as depression. 

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