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Night sweats are hot flashes that happen during sleep. They can be so intense they wake you up.
Like so many symptoms of menopause, hot flashes and night sweats can vary a lot from woman to woman. They can last 1 minute or 5 minutes. They can be mild or severe. You can have several an hour, one a week, or never have them.
For some women, these symptoms go on for years or decades after they've stopped their periods -- into the time called postmenopause.
If you have hot flashes but aren't sure it's related to menopause, talk to your doctor. There are medical conditions and even medications that can bring them on, too.
You have trouble sleeping.
Waking up during the night or having trouble going to sleep can happen for lots of reasons, but if you don't typically have problems sleeping, it may be a sign you're approaching menopause. Sometimes it's caused by other menopausal symptoms like night sweats. If sleep problems hang on for a while, and you can't pinpoint why, it may be time to tell your doctor.
You feel moody.
Lots of things can affect your mood, and that includes the change in hormone that happens around menopause. If you've had anxiety or depression in the past, your symptoms may worsen during menopause. Whatever the reason, you deserve to feel good. If you've been down for more than a few weeks, tell your doctor. Together, you can decide on a treatment to help you feel better.
You forget things.
Both men and women can have some minor memory lapses during middle age: not being able to think of a word or losing the car keys. Usually it's no big deal. Forgetfulness can stem from not only menopause but also from stress. If you're worried that you're forgetting too much, let your doctor know.
You feel differently about sex.
Some women say they are less interested in sex or have trouble getting aroused when they are in menopause. Other women say they enjoy sex more and feel freer because they don't have to worry about things like getting pregnant.