Menopause Doesn’t Pause These 5 Body Changes

Menopause is a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to navigate. For some women, it may bring a few noticeable changes. For others, it may feel like their body is shifting in unexpected and uncomfortable ways. While the experience of menopause is different for every woman, there are a few common changes that tend to show up during this stage of life.

At a Glance - How Menopause Affects Your Body

Hormone Shifts That Drive Everything

What to expect:

• Irregular or skipped periods
• Fluctuating hormone levels
• Transition may begin earlier in some women (e.g., smokers)

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

What it feels like:

• Sudden heat in the face, neck, or chest
• Flushing, sweating, then chills
• Disrupted sleep due to night sweats

Changes in Weight and Body Shape

What’s happening:

• Lower estrogen and aging reduce muscle mass
• Body shifts to storing more fat
• Average postmenopausal weight gain: approximately 5 or more pounds
• Greater risk for diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease

Risks to Bone and Heart Health

What this means:

• Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures (especially hip, spine, wrist)
• Higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke
• Bone loss may accelerate during the first 4–8 years after menopause

Vaginal and Urinary Changes

Common symptoms:

• Dryness, irritation or pain with sex
• Frequent urination or urinary tract infections
• Urinary incontinence (not directly caused by low estrogen, but more common with age)

Hormone Levels Start to Shift

The core driver of menopause is a drop in estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones produced by the ovaries. This hormonal shift begins during perimenopause, which may start in your 40s or even late 30s, and continues until your menstrual periods stop completely.

These changing hormone levels may contribute to a variety of symptoms, such as irregular periods, sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating or experiencing mood changes. Some women experience only mild effects, while others notice more persistent or bothersome symptoms. This stage may last for several years. Timing can vary based on individual factors, including genetics and lifestyle.

Hot Flashes Night Sweats May Occur 

One of the most commonly reported symptoms of menopause is the hot flash, which is a sudden feeling of heat, often accompanied by flushing, sweating or chills. When they happen at night, they’re referred to as night sweats, which may disrupt sleep.

Estimates suggest that between 50% and 75% of women may experience vasomotor symptoms like these during the menopausal transition. For some, they may continue for several years.

Body Composition May Change

Even without changing your eating or exercise habits, you may find it harder to maintain your usual weight after menopause. This is partly due to slowing metabolism, loss of muscle mass and changes in hormone levels, which may affect how your body stores fat.

Weight gain, often around the abdomen, may be common during this stage. On average, women may gain about five pounds, though this varies. This shift in body composition may increase the risk of certain health concerns, such as high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

Bone and Heart Health May Be Affected

Estrogen may play a protective role in both bone density and cardiovascular health. As levels decline during and after menopause, the risk of bone loss and fracture (especially in the hip, spine and wrist) may increase. Similarly, changes in cholesterol levels and blood vessel function may raise the risk of heart disease or stroke over time.

Sexual and Urinary Health May Change 

Declining estrogen levels may affect the tissues of the vagina and urinary tract, leading to dryness, irritation or discomfort during sex. This group of symptoms is sometimes referred to as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Some women also experience increased urinary frequency, a greater risk of urinary tract infections or incontinence. While these symptoms are not directly caused by menopause in all cases, they may become more noticeable at this stage.

Taking Care of Yourself During and After Menopause

Many women find that making small adjustments (such as improving sleep habits, moving more or eating well) may make a difference. Here are a few practical steps that may help:

• Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity on most days
• Get enough calcium, vitamin D, B6 and B12 through food or supplements
• Maintain regular checkups, including screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and bone density
• Explore symptom relief options with your provider—whether lifestyle, nonhormonal treatments or hormone therapy

Menopause is not a one-size-fits-all experience. While it can bring challenges, it’s also a natural life transition that may open the door to greater awareness of your body and health. Consult with your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and relief options.