Overview of symptoms and long term effects
Women experience menopausal side effects, including those listed below, to differing degrees:
- hot flashes/flushes
- vaginal dryness
- decreased libido or other sexual side effects
- sleep disturbance
- memory changes
- mood changes
- weight gain
- urinary incontinence
- heart disease
Some of these effects may improve over time with medication or other medical interventions—it is important to note that treatments may have their own risks and side effects. For some women, hormone therapy may be an option for addressing medical or quality-of-life issues that are not resolved in any other way.
Updated 11/5/15
