Does menopause cause weight gain?
It may. Hormone changes can impact your weight. For example, you may start to lose muscle as you get older, which can affect how your body gains weight.
Does menopause affect your teeth or mouth?
Yes. Your teeth and gums are susceptible to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. This can lead to noticeable symptoms like a dry mouth or sensitive teeth and gums. This could increase your risk of developing cavities or gingivitis.
Does menopause affect your eyes?
Yes. One of the symptoms of the transition to menopause is dry eyes.
Can menopause cause facial hair growth?
Yes, facial hair growth can be a change related to menopause. This is because testosterone is relatively higher than estrogen. If facial hair becomes a problem for you, waxing or using other hair removers may be options.
Is having a hard time concentrating and being forgetful a normal part of menopause?
Unfortunately, concentration and minor memory problems can be a normal part of menopause. Though this doesn’t happen to everyone, it can happen. If you’re having memory problems during menopause, call your healthcare provider. Several activities have been shown to stimulate the brain and help rejuvenate your memory. These activities can include:
- Doing crossword puzzles and other mentally stimulating activities like reading and doing math problems.
- Cutting back on passive activities like watching TV.
- Getting plenty of exercise.
What is premature menopause?
Menopause, when it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is considered “natural” and is a normal part of aging. Menopause that occurs before the age of 45 is called early menopause. Menopause that occurs at 40 or younger is considered premature menopause. When there’s no medical or surgical cause for premature menopause, it’s called primary ovarian insufficiency.
Can menopause cause depression?
Yes, several factors related to menopause can lead to depression. Your body goes through a lot of changes during menopause. There are extreme shifts in your hormone levels, you may not sleep well because of hot flashes and you may experience mood swings. Anxiety and fear could also be at play during this time.
If you experience any of the symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. During your conversation, your provider will tell you about different types of treatment and check to make sure there isn’t another medical condition causing your depression.
Are there any other emotional changes that can happen during menopause?
Menopause can cause a variety of emotional changes, including:
- A lack of motivation and difficulty concentrating.
- Anxiety, depression, mood changes and tension.
- Aggressiveness and irritability.
All of these emotional changes can happen outside of menopause, too. You’ve probably experienced some of them throughout your life.
Your healthcare provider may be able to prescribe a medication to help you (hormone therapy or an antidepressant). It may also help to just know that there’s a name for the feelings you’re experiencing. Support groups and counseling are useful tools when dealing with emotional changes during menopause.
How does menopause affect my bladder control?
Unfortunately, bladder control issues (also called urinary incontinence) are common for people going through menopause. There are several reasons why this happens, including:
- Estrogen. Estrogen plays many roles in your body, including keeping the lining of your bladder and urethra healthy.
- Pelvic floor muscles. They support the organs in your pelvis — your bladder and uterus. Throughout your life, these muscles can weaken. This can happen during pregnancy, childbirth and from weight gain. When the muscles weaken, you can experience urinary incontinence (leakage).
Will I start menopause if I have a hysterectomy?
It depends on if your surgeon also removed your ovaries during the hysterectomy. If you kept your ovaries, you may not have symptoms of menopause right away. If your surgeon also removes your ovaries, you’ll have symptoms of menopause immediately.
Can I have an org*sm after menopause?
Yes, you can still have an org*sm after menopause. An org*sm may feel hard to achieve once you’ve reached menopause, but there’s no physical reason to prevent you from having an org*sm.
Do men go through menopause?
Andropause, or male menopause, is a term that describes decreasing testosterone levels in men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Testosterone production in men declines about 1% per year — much more gradually than estrogen production in women. Healthcare providers often debate calling this slow decline in testosterone “menopause” since it’s not as drastic of a hormone shift and doesn’t carry the same intensity of side effects as menopause in women. Some men won’t even notice the change because it happens over many years or decades. Other names for the male version of menopause are age-related low testosterone, male hypogonadism or androgen deficiency.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Menopause is a natural and normal part of the aging process. Once you’re in menopause, you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It’s common to experience symptoms like vagin*l dryness and hot flashes. Be open with your healthcare provider about the symptoms you’re experiencing and how they impact your quality of life. They can recommend treatments to manage your symptoms and make you more comfortable.
