Other Menopause Symptoms

Here's a list of common symptoms and what you can do to help minimize their severity.

Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal atrophy occurs when there's less estrogen in the body, and the vaginal tissues and wall begins to thin. Some women experience dryness, pain or discomfort, and incontinence. To reduce vaginal dryness:

• Use topical water-based lubricants or moisturizers
• Stay hydrated
• Don't smoke

Insomnia

Night sweats and other symptoms can make sleep difficult for women approaching menopause. Here's how you can set yourself up to achieve a better night's sleep:

• Establish a regular nighttime routine
• Read a good book
• Don't be too physically active before bedtime
• Avoid large meals before bed
• Cut back or eliminate caffeine
• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet
• Only use the bed for sleep and sex

Mood swings

As you approach menopause, you may experience mood swings, feeling high then low, or anxious. Irritability and crying spells are also common among women who experienced severe premenstrual syndrome throughout their lives. If you are experiencing distressing thoughts, talk to your doctor about it. These tips can help to lighten the emotional load you may be feeling:

• Get regular exercise
• Eat a healthy diet of whole foods
• Get enough rest
• Spend time with supportive friends and loved ones
• Manage stress by incorporating a meditation or yoga practice

Memory Loss

The decrease in estrogen makes many women more forgetful during perimenopause and as they approach menopause. You may lose your train of thought, misplace items, or forget appointments. If you're experiencing memory loss:

• Save dates in a digital planner and set reminder alarms before events
• Store items you're more likely to misplace, like keys, glasses, medications and cell phones together in a designated area
• Set alerts to remind you when to take supplements and medications