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Learn from women who know; view real-life menopause stories

Every woman experiences menopause differently. In fact, it may not seem fair, but a few women have no symptoms at all. Others may experience mild symptoms that barely intrude in their life, while others are hampered by moderate to severe symptoms that drastically change their day-to-day activities.

The good news is that menopause symptoms can be treated effectively. To explore common symptoms, simply click on a topic.

• hot flashes
• night sweats
• vaginal symptoms

Hot flashes are episodes of flushing with a sensation of heat that may or may not include sweating, and are often accompanied by palpitations and sometimes followed by chills.

Premenopause: 10% Early Perimenopause: 15% Late Perimenopause: 42% Postmenopause (1 year): 42% Postmenopause (2 years): 41% Postmenopause (3 years): 52% Results are from annual surveys of a longitudinal population-based study of Australian-born women, between 45 and 55 yrs old, premenopausal at start and tracked yearly for 7 years (N=172). Observations are prior to any medical interventions, such as surgical menopause (n=10) or starting hormone therapy (N=53) for symptom management.

Night sweats are sleep thieves. Although they vary in intensity from woman to woman, night sweats are hot flashes combined with intense sweating that can wake women frequently throughout the night.

How frequent are your night sweats?

Look closer: When do night sweats start?

During menopause, lower levels of the hormone estrogen cause changes in the vagina.

Common symptoms include:

• Dryness
• Itching
• Burning
• Irritation
• Sexual discomfort