Southcoast Health Menopause & Wellness Program

Loss of libido is multifactorial around the menopausal years. Due to the loss of estrogen, the vaginal tissues thin and sex can become painful. Other emotional factors such as stress, depression and fatigue also play a role. Changes in your body can also impact your desire for sex.

Mood changes can vary in perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms vary from mild irritability to severe depression, anxiety and rage. Increased stress is common during these years as well. Sleep disruption also worsens mood. If you are feeling like harming yourself or others, please reach out to your healthcare provider.

Many women experience sleep disruption during perimenopause and menopause. This is due to changing levels of estrogen, progesterone and cortisol. Sleep disruption is often due to night sweats, but also can happen without experiencing night sweats.

Hot flashes are a sudden rush of heat and flushed skin often associated with sweating. If they occur at night they are known as night sweats. The thermoregulatory center is in the hypothalamus in the brain. The brain’s response to low estrogen levels is to cause a hot flash or night sweat, also known as vasomotor symptoms. Women can experience hot flashes for 7-10 years after their final period.

Peak bone density occurs around age 30 in women. Bone loss happens gradually every year after that. Around the time of menopause, rapid bone loss occurs. Women need to make sure they are getting enough calcium, vitamin D and weight bearing exercise.

Loss of estrogen causes thinning of all the tissues of the vagina and vulva. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as burning and severe pain with intercourse.

Many women feel stiffness in their knees, feet, hands and hips during the menopausal transition. Menopausal hormone replacement can improve symptoms.