Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, but it can be accompanied by a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Here are 5 common symptoms of menopause that women may experience, and what they can do to manage them.

1. Slowed metabolism that leads to weight gain

Menopause, as well as the years leading to it called perimenopause, causes a drop in a woman's metabolism.

Slowed metabolism can indeed lead to a sudden weight gain, but this is more evident in women who are already overweight even before their menopause begins.

It is important to note that weight gain in relation to menopause is a bit more complex. A lot of women struggle with weight gain after menopause, but there are many factors that could also contribute to it.

For instance, menopause often comes with mood swings and this could lead to a woman eating more as a form of stress relief.

According to HealthPartners, the decline in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause leads to a decrease in muscle mass, resulting in a slower metabolism. This reduced metabolic rate means that fewer calories are needed to maintain your current weight. Additionally, as your metabolism slows down, other bodily functions also experience a decrease in speed during menopause.

In many cases, poor lifestyle choices such as binge-eating high-fat and high-calorie foods are what lead to an eventual rapid weight gain.

Dietary changes that include nutrient-rich foods are suggested for balancing moods as well as maintaining an ideal weight.

2. Vaginal dryness that leads to painful sex

Vaginal dryness may occur to every woman at different stages of life. However, the vaginal dryness that comes after menopause can be a real pain, quite literally.

When a woman reaches menopause, her body doesn’t produce enough female sex hormones that would usually wet the vagina upon sexual arousal.

As such, it may take a long time for a menopausal woman to feel ready for penile penetration. However, if her partner is not patient or understanding enough, then penile penetration can be quite painful as the woman's vagina is still dry.

This isn't nearly the end of the world though, as lubricants are very helpful in such a situation. On top of that, there are options for hormone replacement therapy to help ease a menopausal woman's sex life.

Although things are no longer the same, there's always a coping mechanism available if you talk to your doctor.

3. Hot flashes that lead to irritability

Way before menopause even happens to a woman, many have already heard about hot flashes. In fact, a lot of women dread the idea of menopause when they hear about hot flashes.

Hot flashes occur because your hypothalamus (literally your body's thermostat) becomes incredibly sensitive to minute changes in body temperature.

If your hypothalamus thinks your body is too warm, it starts to cause hot flashes to cool itself down. This mechanism is triggered by the decreased oestrogen levels that happen in menopause.

According to the National Institute on Aging, hot flashes are the most prevalent symptom experienced during menopause and perimenopause, known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS). These hot flashes are believed to be triggered by the declining effectiveness of the ovaries and the gradual reduction in hormone production, particularly estrogen and progesterone, as women go through the menopausal transition.

Hot flashes are very uncomfortable and could lead to general irritability. In some women, hot flashes can be a source of depression, too.

It is indeed tough to deal with, but in reality, not all women go through symptoms of hot flashes once they reach menopause. Regular hot flashes are also caused by other factors, such as lifestyle, diet and exercise.

4. Night sweats that lead to sleeping problems

Another common symptom that usually occurs with menopause is night sweats. Night sweats and hot flashes usually occur hand in hand.

The sudden drop of key female sex hormones causes the body to become more easily stressed.

It’s like your body is constantly in fight or flight mode and you may wake up in the middle of the night, sweating heavily, feeling hot, and most of all, anxious.

You may even experience rapid heartbeats. As such, this may make it very hard to fall back asleep. When this sleep disturbance happens repeatedly, this decreases the quality of your sleep.

As a result of that, you may have a difficult time concentrating during the day. You may feel very lethargic and slow to tend to tasks. This may cause even further stress in your life.

If night sweats have become a serious hindrance, you need to consult your doctor.

5. Horrible mood swings!

With menopause comes a great decrease in key hormones that affect your sex drive (as well as bone mass), but it is the decrease in libido that causes the most problems.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that during menopause, lower estrogen levels can lead to mood-related issues like irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep problems. Hormonal changes may also affect serotonin and norepinephrine levels, potentially linked to depression. Studies suggest that the risk of depression increases during the menopause transition, with symptoms including frequent crying, feelings of hopelessness, emotional numbness, and loss of interest in usual activities.

A reduced level of sex drive in menopausal women could make life that much less interesting. You find no interest in sexual activity, you're not as easily aroused, and your vagina takes forever to get wet (if at all).

And then, there's the night sweats and hot flashes, and they lead to reduced quality sleep, and then you're left with very little energy to operate on a day-to-day basis. All of these could very well lead to horrible mood swings.

You feel as though everything about your body and personality were wrong. You may even go through outbursts of crying out of the blue.

All of those things are unfortunately common symptoms of menopause, but the truth is, not all women will go through all of them.

To conclude, five symptoms associated with menopause were elaborated. We think that understanding the signs of menopause can help women learn more about their bodies and how they can get relief from the symptoms or manage those symptoms.

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Female Libido Supplements – Can Boost Sexual Life

The sexuality of the female population is getting complicated. Since it is complex every woman should know certain factors that may affect sexuality. Every single action of women could trigger a problem in their sexual life or to be more specific to their sexual drive or desire. Due to this dilemma, female libido supplements are introduced to resolve this.

Women are more vulnerable to pressure and stress when working. Stress is also encountered when doing the day to day activities like household chores. These are only some of the main contributors to why women are experiencing and undergoing a decrease in their intimate and sexual activity.

Intimate or sexual activity is one of the important aspects of a relationship. It is important that you keep your partner satisfied. This is why a decrease in libido should be given ample attention and should not be taken for granted especially for those women who are already married. The rapid decrease in libido can readily be solved using female libido supplements.

Infidelity is very extensive these days. Mainly one of the reasons for this is due to a lack or decrease of libido or sensitivity during sexual activity. Let’s face the fact that it is actually happening and one of the reasons why couples are parted ways. Your partner may look or want for something that you can’t afford to give. But, your relationships can still be saved because female libido supplements can really do wonders.

Women who are experiencing a decrease in libido or decrease in sexual desire are found it hard to tell it to their partners. However, in facing this kind of problem women should not be discouraged because several female libido supplements are available to help to restore the loose energy and vigor.

Nowadays, female who have libido problem find it easier to face it with the help of libido supplements. Experts have already proven that these libido supplements are found to be effective. As a matter of fact, there are already several numbers of women that are experiencing the same problem are now using the supplements.

Libido supplements come in various forms and contain ingredients that are all natural. Along with boosting sexual life, these supplements are also free from any side effects. This kind of medication for the said problem gained its popularity and many women are kept in coming in. Due to a countless number of supplements, finding the one that will provide the best results is the most challenging part.

It is best to make research and visit reviews about female libido supplements. Read the testimonials of those who are already used in the product. It is advised that you should only trust those products that are already proven. Do not risk a supplement that is not proven yet. Do not put your health at risk.

One more thing, before taking any medication for libido problem, seek first the help of medical professionals and specialists to make sure that the supplement is safe and may not affect your health.