Menopause is the stage of life when women have stopped having periods for one year. Most women have some signs of this new stage of life. Some symptoms include:
* irregular periods,
* hot flashes, felt as a hotness that creeps up your body to your neck and face,
* difficulty sleeping,
* depression and memory loss, * night sweats,
* change in sexual desire, or
* vaginal dryness.

There are other general problems that occur with the muscle tone of the body. Supporting structures may become loose, and the bladder and vagina become less supported. This may cause a loss of control of your urine and a feeling of pelvic pressure.

Regular exercise, a good diet, and rest will lessen these problems, but sometimes medical care is needed. By replacing the female hormone, estrogen, symptoms will be relieved. Women may decide to begin hormones when they still have their periods, or they may wait until periods fully stop.

The silent problems of aging, such as heart disease and osteoporosis, also known as thinning of the bones, are also helped with the use of estrogen. It is for these reasons that hormone replacement therapy is recommended. Once started, you will find relief in about one month, but the treatment needs to continue for years to continue the long-term benefit and relief. Your healthcare provider can review the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and the different methods of taking it.

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