It is abnormal for menopause to occur before the age of 40. Although for some women their periods will simply stop, for others, monthly cycles may become irregular first, and completely stop years later. To be considered truly postmenopausal, your periods must be gone for at least six months. They may last from a few seconds up to an hour, and can occur for as long as 5 years. They tend to occur more intensely at night producing night sweats, nausea, or dizziness.
Hot flashes can be severe enough to disrupt sleep and cause insomnia.
Vaginal dryness or pain with intercourse also results from menopause as the skin of the vagina and vulva becomes thin and less lubricated. As this happens, you may also feel burning with urination and are more prone to develop bladder and urinary tract infections. Emotional symptoms such as sadness, nervousness, and anxiety have often been linked to menopause. However, it is possible that they are actually the result of other symptoms of menopause, for example, lack of sleep. Osteoporosis is most common in women after menopause.