Women approaching their fifties start to enter menopause. Menopause is the natural process when the body begins to change and a woman stops having a monthly menstrual cycle. Menopause usually takes about one year and is a normal part of aging. Menopause can also be caused by hysterectomies, or having the ovaries surgically removed. Menopause is also marked by many changes in the woman’s body. Women look to products and prescriptions to help them get through this change in life.

Doctors, often prescribe HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, to women who are experiencing a difficult time with menopause. Hormone replacement is usually given to women who are healthy and have no history of breast cancer. Taking replacement hormones can often help alleviate the undesirable effects of menopause.

The biggest and most apparent symptom of menopause is the ceasing of the monthly menstrual cycle. Cycles usually do not stop all of a sudden, but as menopause progresses become more sporadic and lighter. Another very common symptom of menopause is called hot flashes. Hot flashes are when a woman becomes very hot all of a sudden, and the intensity can vary from woman to woman. Generally, it is described as a sudden, intense heat, marked by reddening of the face, neck and head. Afterwards, a woman will experience a chill. It is estimated the 40 to 90 percent of all women experience some form of hot flashes during menopause. When taken before menopause begins, hormone replacement therapy can stop these hot flashes all together.

Another common complaint from woman experiencing menopause is insomnia. This is a sleep disturbance that can make it difficult to fall asleep or results in frequent waking during the middle of the night. These sleep disturbances can leave a woman feeling unrested and tired for the rest of the day. Some woman may experience insomnia in conjunction with night sweats or hot flashes.

Women going through the stages of menopause can also take hormone replacement therapy to combat other common symptoms of menopause. Many women experience irritability and anxiety while going through menopause. This is also called GAD, or generalized anxiety disorder. This is usually marked by excessive worry over issues beyond a woman’s control such as health or money. This can lead to other unpleasant side effects such as general aches and pains, dizziness, and upset stomachs. Women going through menopause may also experience irritability due to fluctuations in the hormones. Mood swings are another common complaint. Some women notice that during these episodes they often do not feel in control of their feelings. Their life may feel overwhelming at times. Taking replacement hormones can often help these side effects.

There are many other symptoms commonly caused by menopause. Doctors often prescribe replacement hormones to help alleviate the symptoms. Menopause can also cause gas or a bloated feeling, fluid retention, headaches and migraines, changes in the complexion, sexual disorders and unwanted facial hair. A woman going through menopause should consult the advice of her doctor to find out what the best course of action will be to help the symptoms and side effects of menopause.