By Jessica Wick, The Cheat Sheet
Menopause happens — sometimes earlier in life than we’d like. And while we’ve come to anticipate the hot flashes and hormonal changes, menopause also comes with its own set of symptoms that we sometimes don’t hear about … and they’re not pleasant.
Menopause happens — sometimes earlier in life than we’d like. And while we’ve come to anticipate the hot flashes and hormonal changes, menopause also comes with its own set of symptoms that we sometimes don’t hear about … and they’re not pleasant.
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These are a few of the horrifying menopause symptoms women have experienced that no one ever warned them about.
Forget me not?
Short-term memory is directly affected by hot flashes. Memory and stress issues may be more related to stress than hormonal fluctuations, but either way, it’s a huge bummer.
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Bad news about bad cholesterol
Unfortunately, your levels of “bad” cholesterol can go up when you hit menopause. Estrogen actually helps keep LDL cholesterol low and HDL levels high. The good news: If you lead a healthy lifestyle as you’re approaching the big change, you can prevent the fluctuations.
You might not be as social
[post_ads]Even if you’ve been an extrovert your entire life, you may suddenly feel like spending your free time alone. Menopause often brings on an emotional shift and an introspective period. While this isn’t inherently bad, the isolation can lead to depression.
Your diabetes risk increases
It’s true — diabetes is one of the top killers of women ages 55 to 64, according to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Hormonal changes of menopause contribute to the risk, but so do age and being overweight.
More bad hair days ahead
[post_ads]Many women report hair thinning as a side effect of menopause. Hair can also become dry and brittle due to the fluctuating hormones causing overall dryness in the body. Using mild shampoos and conditioners formulated for dry hair can help.
Prepare for patchy skin
With dry hair comes dry skin … and that can cause dry patches in some strange places. Use lotion and avoid soaps and body washes that strip your skin of moisture.
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Fatigue is no fun
You’ve probably heard that menopause can do a number on the quality of your sleep and impact your energy levels. This can make you feel fatigued, and it can also mess with your emotions, weight, and libido. Trying to squeeze in a power nap every day can make a big difference.
