If you’re wondering if you’re in menopause, you’re not alone. The wide age range of onset and sheer number of potential symptoms cause many women to be unsure if what they’re experiencing is related to menopause or another health condition. Knowing the most common signs and symptoms of menopause can help you understand what is happening with your body and how you can get relief.

One of the first signs of menopause is irregular periods. Your menstrual patterns will typically change during perimenopause before you stop having periods altogether. Your period may become shorter or longer, or your cycle may become irregular and more difficult to predict. You may also experience a heavier or lighter flow or even skip a period completely.

These changes in your menstrual patterns are a result of hormonal imbalances. As your ovaries gradually produce less and less estrogen, fewer eggs are released and your menstrual cycle adjusts. This is a completely natural process. It’s important to remember that even with irregular periods and declining fertility, you can still get pregnant.

It’s a stereotype because it’s true: Hot flashes and night sweats are one of the most common—and recognizable—signs of menopause. These sudden and intense bursts of heat can be highly disruptive to your daily life. They typically cause a feeling of warmth to spread across your face and upper body and may be accompanied by reddening of your skin and profuse sweating. Night sweats, as the name suggests, occur as you sleep and can lead to you waking up with your pajamas and sheets soaked in sweat.

These uncomfortable experiences are caused by hormonal fluctuations that affect your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the hypothalamus, or the part of your brain responsible for regulating your body temperature, mistakenly thinks you are too warm and tries to cool you down. In addition to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you may be able to manage hot flashes by wearing lightweight clothing and avoiding triggers like spicy foods and caffeine.

Vaginal and urinary issues are frequently associated with menopause. Decreased estrogen levels can lead to a condition known as vaginal atrophy, which is characterized by vaginal dryness, burning and itching. These symptoms can make sex painful and impact your overall quality of life.

Your urinary tract may also undergo changes during menopause, such as weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and thinning of the urethral and vaginal tissues. These changes may result in urinary incontinence or an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs).

There are a number of ways to treat these symptoms. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy replenishes your estrogen levels, directly addressing the root cause of these vaginal and urinary issues. In addition, lubricants can help relieve discomfort caused by vaginal dryness, and pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can strengthen the muscles supporting your bladder and uterus.

Mood swings, irritability, anxiety and depression are common symptoms of menopause. These emotional changes can be challenging for both you and your loved ones.

Understanding that these emotional fluctuations are linked to hormonal changes is essential. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play a crucial role in regulating your mood, and their decline can negatively impact your emotional well-being (the physical symptoms you may be experiencing certainly don’t help). In addition to balancing your hormones through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you may want to seek support from health care providers, therapists or support groups to help you manage these emotional changes and improve your overall mental well-being during menopause.

You don’t have to suffer with menopause symptoms.

Find a menopause provider near you and schedule your bioidentical hormones consultation today.