The medical term for when a woman’s periods stop is menopause. This is a naturally occurring process that begins in the late forties or early fifties for most women. It may take several years to complete. Removal of the ovaries through surgery will put a woman into immediate menopause. In either way, there are a few menopause side effects that need to be reviewed so women can be informed.

Many women experience hot flashes during this time. The body seems extremely warm and night sweats occur. Sometimes you may feel faint and experience heart palpitations along with the hot flashes. Hot flashes are common during the first year after your last period.

Menopause can cause a loss of libido. This loss of sex drive may be associated with vaginal changes, including dryness and loss of tone. In addition, mood changes along with a loss of sleep due to your night sweats may lower your desire for sex.

Although menopause is often blamed for the mood changes you experience at this age, they may come as the result of other life changes you experience at the same time. Common mood changes include depression, anxiety and irritability.

Some women will begin to experience headaches during this time. Women who have had headaches prior to menopause may find that they become more severe. On the other hand, sometimes the hormonal changes can be good and women who have experienced migraines in prior times may no longer have the headaches.

As a result of menopause there can be some urinary changes. Incontinence is a possibility. Women who are overweight or who have given birth to two or more children are at a greater risk of incontinence. If the problem becomes too severe, surgery may be indicated for relief of the condition.

The changes in hormone levels increase the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis indicates a loss of bone density. As this problem becomes worse, bones become very brittle. Breaks of the bone are very easy. As women advance in age osteoporosis becomes even more serious. Broken bones can incapacitate an otherwise healthy woman.

After menopause, your risk of heart disease or suffering a heart attack are increased. One fourth of women over sixty-five years in age have some kind of heart disease. There is also a greater risk of stroke as the body changes. In the past doctors were more reluctant to push for tests of indicators of heart disease for women. Insist that your doctor keeps reviewing your cholesterol levels with periodic tests.

Hormone replacement therapy was commonly prescribed in the past for women who were experiencing menopause side effects. More recent studies have questioned the value of this type of therapy. It seems that many of the risks outweigh any benefits of the therapy. The pills can increase your risk of heart disease or stroke. They are linked to a greater risk of breast cancer. Before you begin any hormone replacement therapy, be sure that you review these risks with your health care professional.

If you’re a woman that is going through the natural process of menopause, then you may want to look at Amberen. There are a lot of Amberen reviews you can read online.