Recognizing the Symptoms of Menopause

For some women, it begins as moodiness, anxiety or unexplained crying. For others, it may bring on feelings of jealousy, irritation, or anger. Some may experience irregular menstrual cycles, daily hot flashes, or unexplained headaches. And for a handful of others, it’s either all of the above—or none of the above. Whether you’re in your late 40s, your early 50s, or even closer to 60, the explanation for this complex list of symptoms may be one in the same: the onset of menopause.

Officially speaking, menopause is defined as 12 months without a consecutive menstrual cycle, marking the end of ovulation and decreasing levels of estrogen, according to information from The North American Menopause Society. The process can take anywhere from 3 to 15 years, and may start as early as age 35, although most women experience it around the age of 51. About 1.5 million American women reach menopause each year, and 80 to 85 percent experience unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats,irritability, anxiety or emotional instability, say researchers at Penn State University.

Of all the symptoms that can occur, hot flashes, or a sudden rush of warmth that may cause a red face and neck or sudden sweatiness followed by a cold chill, are among the most common. Although scientists are not exactly sure what causes hot flashes, also called hot flushes, they believe they may be the result of changes in the brain's hypothalamus, which regulates the body's temperature. Hot flashes can interrupt sleep and cause insomnia, among other things.

To date, the only treatment approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hot flashes is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but the topic is somewhat controversial. Experts advise anyone experiencing hot flashes to consult with her doctor or medical practitioner for advice. If you opt for HRT, the FDA recommends taking the lowest dose for the shortest possible time. As a result of the controversy surrounding HRT, an increasing number of women are opting for alternative, more natural ways to ease the symptoms of menopause.

Walking, yoga, and other regular exercise may ease some women's symptoms, according to a recent Penn State study. In the study, women who walked or took yoga classes reported a better quality of life, including improvements in mood and menopause symptoms. Researchers note, however, that it was not clear whether exercise helped reduce the women's physical symptoms or whether the exercise put them in a better mood.

Women may also find some relief from acupuncture, according to another recent study by researchers at Stanford University and Harvard University. In this small study of 29 women, those receiving a 7-week course of acupuncture reported a reduction in the severity of their nocturnal hot flashes. “For patients suffering from menopausal symptoms, who are not good candidates for hormone therapy, acupuncture treatment could be an excellent option,” said one official from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine about the study in a prepared statement.

While those studies may sound promising, other research has shown that herbal supplements containing black cohosh do not relieve the symptoms of menopause. The Herbal Alternatives (HALT) for Menopause Study, which was funded by the National Institute on Aging and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found no reduction in hot flashes or night sweats in the group taking the supplements. The findings were reported in the December 19, 2006, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

For more information on menopause and the correct treatments for you, consult your own doctor or medical practitioner, or visit www.menopause.org