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Many of the symptoms you get with menopause begin in the years leading up to it, when your hormone levels start to change.

Some symptoms, such as hot flashes and a dry vagina, are caused directly by changes in the level of your hormones.

But there are lots of other changes, both physical and emotional, that you may experience at this time. You may put on weight or find yourself feeling down or less energetic than usual. Or you may not feel like having sex.¹

Researchers aren't sure whether these things are caused by changes in your hormone levels or whether there are other causes, such as aging or the emotional changes that you may face at this time of life.

Here are some of the symptoms of menopause.²

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Problems sleeping
• Dry vagina and pain having sex
• Urinary problems and infections
• Losing interest in sex
• Weight gain
• Changes in your body
• Feeling low or depressed.

But not everyone gets these symptoms. Women experience menopause in different ways. You may sail through it without any problems or with only mild symptoms. Or you may have severe symptoms that affect your enjoyment of life.¹

A survey of nearly 7,000 women aged 45 to 54 found that 84 percent had at least one common menopausal symptom, such as hot flashes or a dry vagina.³ But for more than half the women, the symptoms weren't a problem.

There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself healthy. To learn more, see Self-help for common menopausal symptoms.