Menopause can have any number of symptoms and side effects that can create difficulties and discomfort for the woman who experiences it. One of the possible symptoms of menopause can indeed be nausea.
It is important to first understand what exactly menopause is. Menopause is that time in the life of a woman when she stops having a period, and is no longer able to conceive a child. Menopause sets in because a woman’s ovaries eventually stop making the specific hormones, progesterone and estrogen, that cause her to ovulate and be fertile. Menopause typically occurs at around the age of 50. Menopause can set in as early as age 41, or as late as age 49. For some women, menopause may happen much earlier if they have to have their ovaries removed because of ovarian cancer or some other ailment. Menopause can actually take several years to go through.
Some of the most common signs of the menopause are:
– Hot flashes. These are marked by a warm feeling in the chest and head, sometimes in a wave-like sensation. When you have a hot flash, this is the time that you are most likely to experience nausea due to menopause.
– A change in the menstrual cycle. You might skip periods or they may come closer together. Your menstrual flow might be less or more than usual.
– Thinning of the vulva and vagina. The skin around these areas tends to become thinner.
– Problems with the urinary tract. Women who are going through or have been through menopause tend to be more susceptible to urinary tract and bladder infections.
– Other symptoms. Some women who go through the menopause experience other symptoms, such as tiredness, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and headaches. Often these are side effects of hot flashes, but may occur without them.
If you are going through menopause, you should consult with your health care provider. She may be able to prescribe medications that can help you to deal with some of the symptoms of menopause, including nausea.