Postmenopause
Alternate Names : Change of Life
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Hormone levels do not usually decline in a uniform way. They rise and fall
again and again over time. These hormone fluctuations are what cause the
various symptoms that women have during this time of life. These hormones
affect a woman's breasts, vagina, bones, blood vessels, digestive system,
urinary tract, and skin.
The symptoms of postmenopause will vary from woman to woman. Some women may
continue to have symptoms of
perimenopause, including:
chills
fatigue
headache
hot flashes
increased emotional feelings
insomnia
muscle pains
palpitations, or an unusual
awareness of one's own heartbeat
urinary incontinence
urinary frequency
vertigo
Within 4 or 5 years after her last period, a woman may start to get urinary tract infections. Women also may have vaginal drying. The walls of the vagina become thinner and
dryer. The walls lose elasticity, and women are more prone to vaginal
infections. Sexual intercourse may be painful. Some women may not have
much interest in sex, while others report an increased interest in sex
following menopause.
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