Menopause marks the completion of menstrual cycles and is diagnosed after 1 year with no period. It typically occurs between 40 and 50 years of age and is a result of naturally declining reproductive hormones—meaning your fertility declines. Most women don’t need to see a doctor to receive a diagnosis, as signs and symptoms are usually enough of an indication; however, you may want to visit your reproductive doctor or healthcare provider to help manage symptoms. There are a few options to treat symptoms if you are struggling, such as hormone replacement (like estrogen therapy), supplements, or medications like Imvexxy, Relizen, and Vylessi. If you think you may be reaching menopause, read on to see if these 8 early signs and symptoms match how you feel:

1. Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia, persistent or recurrent genital pain experienced before, during, or after intercourse, is a sign of menopause. The decrease in estrogen levels can cause vaginal atrophy, the tissues lining the inside of the vagina may thin and become dry or inflamed, and in turn result in dyspareunia.

2. Hot flashes
Hot flashes are the most common symptom of perimenopause and are quick bursts of sudden warmth and drenching sweat that lasts between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. The face and neck can become red and heart rate often increases. If these happen at night, they are called night sweats—at any time, hot flashes can be incredibly uncomfortable. After the hot flash, your body may have lost too much heat and you can experience chills.

3. Irregular or long periods
If you’ve noticed the frequency of your period is different, this may be a sign of menopause. It may be more frequent, like having it every one or two weeks, or you may experience months between your periods. What’s more, you may notice an increase or decrease in the flow of your period, becoming unusually light or heavy.

4. Issues with sleeping
Hot flashes and night sweats can really impact the quality of your sleep, along with changes in mood. It’s valuable to talk to your doctor if your sleep is being significantly affected to find treatments or medications that can help you manage these symptoms and get a good night’s rest.

5. Weight gain
While aging in general slows metabolism, this combined with a decrease in estrogen and progesterone triggers metabolic changes even further. As you burn less calories, you may find yourself needing to eat less and getting a bit more exercise to maintain your weight, but exercise and healthy eating can have positive impacts in all areas of your health.

6. Mood changes
As you experience a decline in estrogen levels, it can impact your mood by leading to irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and other issues that will affect how you feel. These changes in hormones can also affect levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that work to regulate your mood.

7. Hair thinning or hair loss
You may experience hair thinning or hair loss during perimenopause and after menopause. Menopause causes your estrogen and progesterone levels to fall and the effects of male hormones, androgens, to increase. As a result, the hair follicles shrink, causing your hair to grow slower and fall out easier.

8. Hypoactive sexual disorder (HSDD)
HSDD is a mental and physical sexual dysfunction that causes women to lack the desire or motivation for intercourse. This typically lasts for an extended period of time, at least 6 months, and can cause stress for yourself or in your relationship with your partner. HSDD often occurs during or after menopause as a result of the frustrating symptoms and physical effects or changes you experience.