Email a Friend
Print ArticleMenopause Health Center
Menopause and Perimenopause - Symptoms
Although some women have few or no menopause symptoms, most women do. Similarly, while some women have mild symptoms, others find that their sleep, daily life, and sense of well-being are severely affected. Menopause symptoms eventually subside when hormone levels even out. Postmenopause changes are normal signs of low estrogen and typically continue over time.
Signs and symptoms of perimenopause
Signs that you are in perimenopause include:
- Irregular menstrual periods.
- Less frequent, light menstrual periods.
- Heavier menstrual periods than you are used to having.
Symptoms of menopause
Symptoms related to menopause are caused by changing or dropping hormone levels and usually end 1 or 2 years after menopause. Some women continue to have symptoms for 5 or more years afterward. Menopause symptoms include:
- Hot flashes.
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia).
- Emotional changes, such as mood swings or irritability.
- A change in sexual interest or response.
- Problems with concentration and memory that are linked to sleep loss and fluctuating hormones (not a permanent sign of aging).3
- Headaches.
- Rapid, irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations).
- Generalized itching.
These symptoms are not only caused by menopause. They can be caused by other medical problems. If your symptoms are troubling you, talk with your doctor.
Menopause caused by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can cause more severe symptoms than usual. Preexisting conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, or irritability can get worse during perimenopause.
Signs of postmenopause
Signs that you have reached menopause and are in postmenopause include:
- No menstrual periods (and no need for birth control measures).
- Drying and thinning of the skin, caused by lower collagen production.
- Vaginal and urinary
tract changes, such as:
- Vaginal dryness, irritation, and itching.
- An increased risk of vaginal and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
Other conditions can cause changes in the menstrual cycle or symptoms resembling perimenopause and postmenopause. Examples include pregnancy, a significant change in weight, depression, anxiety, disease, or uterine, thyroid, or pituitary problems.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Menopause and Perimenopause Topics
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
Ob-Gyn Laura Corio talks about the importance of exercise during menopause.
