Every woman experiences menopause differently. You may find life more overwhelming than normal, and may not understand why. Your mood might change often, from sadness and a feeling of low self-esteem to irritability and frustration. Other symptoms of menopause are: Aches, weakness or stiffness caused by reduced oestrogen levels, stress or tension, and a lack of exercise Constipation and gas, as reduced oestrogen levels cause your digestive tract to slow down Urinary incontinence , when coughing, laughing, exercising or carrying heavy things may cause urine to leak Hot flashes and night sweats from hormonal changes, which usually occur at night, may interrupt your sleep: Red blotches on your chest, back, and arms, sometimes with sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea and dizziness Sudden intense heat all over your body, particularly in the upper part such as the face and neck Poor sleep usually caused by night sweats, but can also be a symptom of anxiety or depression Skin and hair changes as your skin becomes thinner and drier with more bruising and itching while hair growth slows down and your hair becomes less manageable Vaginal changes: Sexual intercourse may become uncomfortable or painful The skin around the vaginal opening becomes dry and thin, causing discomfort or itching The vagina becomes more vulnerable to infection The vaginal lining becomes drier, thinner and less elastic Weight gain around your waist as your body begins to use calories more slowly Inflamed or irritated urethra – the tube that carries urine from the bladder – causing frequent urination, a feeling of wanting to urinate urgently or pain during urination