The million-dollar question about menopause is also the No. 1 complaint what you can do about it

Don’t sweat it!Menopause is a natural process that affects all women — it occurs when ovaries produce less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone and stop releasing eggs altogether.It’s officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, though symptoms often persist for years before and after this period.Menopause is a universal phenomenon, but there are many misconceptions about it — from symptoms to treatments. These are some of the common myths and more unusual signs.Women in North America tend to experience menopause between 51 and 52 years old, while the global average is closer to 48.If it occurs before age 45, we call it early menopause.Smoking, a hysterectomy and a family history of early menopause are risk factors for it.Menopause that occurs after age 55 is considered late-onset menopause.The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause.

It typically begins in the late 40s and can last for several years.Perimenopause is different for every woman.Periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter or skipped altogether. Menopause-like symptoms are common during this time.Some women can have a variety of symptoms while others have none.We categorize symptoms in three ways — physical, psychological and urogenital.Physical symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats, which are classic signs of menopause.Disrupted sleep and heart fluttering are in this group too.Brain fog and mood changes like anxiety, depression, irritability and bouts of rage are among the psychological symptoms.Women who have had premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression or a difficult puberty may be more susceptible to mental health struggles during menopause.The final category covers vaginal dryness and changes to urination habits.Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, drops significantly during menopause.

Declining estrogen is responsible for the thinning and drying of the tissues in ...