Menopause: 9 signs your menstrual cycles are about to end

Menopause is a natural biological process that causes women to lose their fertility but allows them to remain healthy, alive, and sexual. It has physical and mental symptoms, such as hot flashes, disturbed sleep and diminished energy that may trigger anxiety or feelings of sadness and loss for some women. Most women will experience at least some of these menopausal symptoms in their late forties or fifties, though it can happen sooner or later.

Hot flashes and night sweats

Hot flashes and night sweats are two of the most common indicators of menopause, which can occur up to ten years before actual menopause begins. They start a few days before menstruation and end when menstruation stops in the early stages of menopause. You can wake up sweating and heated in the middle of the night as if you have a high temperature. These two feelings, which affect 85% of women after menopause, can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Some women have a lot of them in a single hour, while others only get them once or twice a month.

Mood swings

Everything around you may irritate you, and that's because of your fluctuating hormones. In fact, studies have shown that irritation and mood troubles can be caused by a variety of other factors as well.

Decreased libido

You don't seem to be interested in having sex lately. It doesn't appeal to you; you're not in the mood; you try, but it doesn't appear to work or improve your mood. Reduced libido is a common sign that you're approaching menopause.

Painful sex

Increased pain with intercourse at the vaginal opening is another sign of impending menopause. When oestrogen levels drop, the vaginal region loses moisture and suppleness. As such, your vagina becomes dry. This symptom is most frequent once menopause has started, but some women will notice it as it approaches.

Irregular periods

Your menstrual cycles appear to be all over the place. They may be shorter, but are occasionally missing entirely. You've been without a period for at least a month. It's almost tough to keep track of your menstruation. Flow changes are also typical.

Weight gain

You may gain weight and your waistline will disappear as you reach menopause. Weight increase around the belly button that is steady yet uncontrolled is approaching menopause sign. Women gain weight around the waist as oestrogen levels drop.

Difficulty in sleeping

Sleeping problems are a frequent symptom of menopause. Some women will have trouble sleeping, while others will wake up in the middle of the night and be unable to sleep for hours. The change in your hormones is usually to blame. Natural sleep aids such as melatonin can make it easier to fall asleep.

Increased UTIs

If you've seen an increase in the number of UTIs without explanation, you may be approaching menopause. Because this symptom is a side effect of vaginal dryness, it is less prevalent in the months leading up to menopause and more common once menopause has arrived.

Brain fog

Women approaching menopause frequently report being more forgetful and unable to concentrate. It really feels like your brain isn't working correctly. The decrease in oestrogen is causing brain fog.