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.
Other risk factors include being white, Asian, having a small bone frame, cigarette or alcohol use, lack of exercise, and family history. Heart disease, the leading cause of death, also becomes more of a risk factor after menopause. Symptoms can tell you that you may be entering menopause. In addition, your doctor can perform a simple blood test to confirm your hormone status. It does this by reducing the incidence of death due to heart disease and osteoporosis.