In addition to the increase in the temperature of the skin, a hot flash may cause an increase in a woman's heart rate. This causes sudden perspiration as the body tries to reduce its temperature. This symptom may also be accompanied by heart palpitations and dizziness. Hot flashes that occur at night are called night sweats. A woman may wake up drenched in sweat and have to change her night clothes and sheets.
Vaginal atrophy involves the drying and thinning of the tissues of the vagina and urethra.
While it is commonly thought that mental health may be negatively affected by menopause, several studies have indicated that menopausal women suffer no more anxiety, depression, anger, nervousness, or feelings of stress than women of the same age who are still menstruating. Psychological and emotional symptoms of fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and nervousness may be related to both the lack of estrogen, the stress of aging, and a woman s changing roles. In response to this, your glands release higher amounts of other hormones that affect the brain s thermostat, causing your body temperature to fluctuate. Discuss hormone replacement therapy with your physician, as this has proven to relieve some of the discomfort of hot flashes for many women. Some women may experience some minor relief by taking vitamin E, although this has not been confirmed in scientific studies.