Menopause actually means the "cessation of menses"; but the actual symptoms often begin way before menses ceases, and often last way after the cessation of menses! Peri-menopause is the time you exhibit the "symptoms" before your menses actually stops; "post-menopausal" is after your menses stops--but you can still have the symptoms!

What is happening is actually hormonal changes in your body; specifically the lessening of estrogen--the female hormone. (Testosterone is the male hormone; men and women have both estrogen and testosterone, in differing amounts.) Some of the symptoms are similar to those that appear monthly, but instead of just a few days a month, they are almost constant and can last for years!

Many women exhibit the symptoms of menopause; some a little (like my Mom); some a LOT (like me for over 15 years!). Vaginal itching and/or dryness, sweats or "hot flashes", irritability, bloating, exhaustion (from lack of sleep because of hot flashes), and mild memory loss are some of the symptoms you may experience.

There are many natural and/or herbal and medical ways you can help to alleviate the symptoms; but I'll leave that for another post. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV or the Internet, but I will advise you to discuss your symptoms with your ob-gyn when you have your annual Pap smear. You ARE getting your annual Pap, aren't you?