Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth

A middle-aged woman and a senior woman sitting on a couch

Menopause is the time when a woman’s menstrual periods stop permanently. It usually occurs naturally, at an average age of 51, but surgery or the use of certain medicines can make it happen earlier. During the years around menopause, some women have hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, or other troublesome symptoms.

Several complementary health approaches have been studied for menopause symptoms. Studies suggest that yoga can be helpful for some symptoms. Research on hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation is in its early stages, but some studies have had promising results. Phytoestrogens, herbs, and other natural products haven’t been clearly shown to relieve menopause symptoms.