The hot, prickly feeling in your chest and neck? That's a hot flash. Estrogen helps tell our brain how to regulate our internal thermometer. As our levels fluctuate during menopause, our "thermoneutral zone" narrows, prompting our body’s thermostat to overreact to the slightest change in temperature.

AW039 Hot Flashes Hero (abstract illustration showing hot flash)

AW031 Hot Flashes Icon (abstract illustration showing hot flash)

You can meditate, carry a fan, and change your diet. But for most women, the most effective treatment calls for supplementing your body’s natural estrogen. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!


AW140 Symptoms Mood (photo showing woman at home, legs up, while browsing Alloy site on laptop)

What can you do?

Hot Flashes

You betcha. Hot flashes are one of the most common symptom of menopause. They can last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, happen from 3 to 35 times a day, and continue for as long as 12 years.

of women in menopause experience hot flashes

Is this normal?

Hot flashes are the most common menopause symptom - and arguably the most annoying. Learn more about hot flashes with options for relief.

Hot Flashes During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

WORST. PERIODS. EVER? Welcome to perimenopause, the hormonal roller coaster ride on the way to menopause. When your estrogen outpaces your progesterone, your uterine lining builds, resulting in heavier bleeding. Low estrogen levels can produce lighter bleeding but shorter cycles (say, every 2 or 3 weeks).

AW009 Irregular Periods Hero (abstract illustration showing Irregular periods)

AW032 Irregular Periods Icon (abstract illustration showing irregular periods)

One treatment Dr Sharon Malone recommends for perimenopausal women is a low dose 24-day birth control pill, which can help regulate your hormone levels and also provide contraception, still very important at this phase! Some women prefer to start on an estrogen patch if their symptoms are severe. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Irregular Periods

Yes. During the years that your estrogen and progesterone levels are in flux, so is your period, appearing and disappearing for months at time, with spotting in between.

OF WOMEN EXPERIENCE IRREGULAR PERIODS BEFORE MENOPAUSE

Having the worst periods ever? Learn more about irregular periods during perimenopause with options for relief.

Irregular Period Symptoms: Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

As estrogen declines during menopause, the skin that lines the vagina walls can start to thin, and your body’s natural lubrication starts to decrease. This means that even light friction can feel like sandpaper, and the thin, fragile, less elastic walls can bruise and tear during intercourse.

AW010 Vaginal Dryness Hero (abstract illustration showing vaginal dryness)

AW002 Vaginal Dryness Icon (abstract illustration showing vaginal dryness)

Locally applied estrogen (cream, tablet, or ring) can reinstate your body’s ability to create natural lubrication and strengthen your vaginal walls, returning it to its strong, supple, elastic self. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Vaginal Dryness

More than half of menopausal women report experiencing painful sex or vaginal dryness during menopause. If left untreated, vaginal dryness can worsen with time. But effective treatment exists!

OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN EXPERIENCE VAGINAL DRYNESS

Experiencing vaginal dryness? Learn more about perimenopause & menopause symptoms with options for relief.

Vaginal Dryness During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

You’re lying in bed in totally soaked through pajamas. Hello, night sweats. Estrogen helps tell our brain how to regulate our internal thermometer. As our levels fluctuate during perimenopause and menopause, our “thermoneutral zone” narrows, prompting our body’s thermostat to overreact to the slightest change in temperature.

AW008 Night Sweats Hero (abstract illustration showing night sweats)

AW034 Night Sweats Icon (abstract illustration showing night sweats)

You can meditate, buy breathable sheets, and change your diet. But for most women, the most effective treatment calls for recalibrating your hormones. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Night Sweats

Hot flashes and night sweats are two of the most common symptoms of menopause. They can last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, occurring as often as 8 times a night, and continue for as long as 12 years.

OF WOMEN IN MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE NIGHT SWEATS

Experiencing night sweats? While you can try meditating, carrying a fan, and changing your diet, learn more about menopause symptoms with options for relief.

Night Sweat Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

For some of us, the emotionally bumpy ride that is menopause comes complete with mood swings that have you blubbering one minute, pissed off over dishes left in the sink (again!) the next, and having a full-blown panic attack over thoughts you were once able to manage more easily.

AW007 Mood Swings Hero (abstract illustration showing mood swings)

AW033 Mood Swings Icon (abstract illustration showing mood swings)

Eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, and practicing mindfulness and stress management can all help. As with many symptoms related to menopause, balancing your hormones is key to regaining your emotional stability. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Mood Swings

Completely. Your estrogen levels are fluctuating wildly. Think of it as puberty in reverse. So if you’re feeling blue, panicked or unstable of late, know that you’re not alone.

OF WOMEN IN PERIMENOPAUSE OR MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE MOOD SWINGS

Menopause can make some women feel extra irritable, depressed, or anxious. Learn more about mood swings during menopause with options for relief.

Mood Swing Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

As we age, we lose muscle mass and deposit more fat, and fat is less metabolically active than muscle. So, even with the same calories and same exercise routine, you still gain weight. When you add disrupted sleep, increased stress and hot flashes, it’s no wonder we’re packing a few extra pounds.

AW006 Weight Gain Hero (abstract illustration showing weight gain)

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Think “healthy” weight, not “ideal” weight. Eat more lean protein, fewer carbs. Drink lots of water, and maybe skip that second glass of wine. Try to move every day (yoga, bike rides, walks with friends). And speak to a menopause trained doctor about how hormones affect your weight.

Weight Gain

Totally normal! Don’t torture yourself, but keep an eye on it. Extra pounds around the middle put us at risk for heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and arthritis.

OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN REPORT GAINING MORE THAN 10 POUNDS

Welcome to menopause. As your body changes, weight gain is a common symptom you'll likely experience. Learn more with options for relief.

Weight Gain During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Not in the mood? When estrogen and testosterone levels decrease, it can become more difficult to get aroused. Vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy and painful sex are factors here too. Add in insomnia, hot flashes, fatigue, and weight gain, and you have a really romantic evening ahead of you. Ha!

AW038 Low Libido Hero (abstract illustration showing low libido)

AW036 Low Libido Icon (abstract illustration showing low libido)

Making sex less painful is the first stop, and there are many treatments, including topical estrogen, to improve lubrication and make sex feel better. There are plenty of solutions to help with sexual function. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Low Libido

Women are 2-3 times more likely to be affected by declining sex drive as they age, so know you are not alone. Some women also report a decline in sensation and decreased ability to climax.

OF WOMEN REPORTED SOME DECLINE IN SEXUAL DESIRE DURING MENOPAUSE

What does low libido have to do with menopause? Learn more about common symptoms during menopause & get options for relief.

Low Libido (Sex Drive): Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Migraine headaches are defined as throbbing head pain, usually more pronounced on one side, and made worse by physical activity. Whether or not you’ve suffered from migraine headaches in the past, the fluctuating hormone levels of perimenopause can cause headaches to get worse.

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Treatments include lifestyle changes and drugs such as triptans and new injectables. Many migraines are related to hormone fluctuations, so speak to a menopause-trained doctor about managing your hormones and your headaches.

Headaches

Yes, but the way hormone fluctuations affect migraines is different for every woman. Menstrual migraine sufferers often find perimenopause makes things worse, but find relief after the transition.

OF THE 28 MILLION AMERICANS WHO SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES ARE WOMEN

What do hormones have to do with headaches? Learn more about headaches during menopause with options for relief.

Headaches During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Painful, achy joints primarily in the knees, hips and shoulders is a very common complaint after menopause. Estrogen binds directly to estrogen receptors on tissues in the joints.(Yes, estrogen receptors are everywhere!) The presence of estrogen is thought to have a protective effect in the joints.

AW179 Painful Joints Hero (abstract illustration showing painful joints)

AW004 Painful Joints Icon (abstract illustration showing painful joints)

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Switch to low-impact exercise (such as biking, swimming, or yoga). And speak to a menopause trained doctor about hormones. Women on estrogen after menopause report significantly less joint pain. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Painful Joints

Yep. Given that estrogen levels fall significantly after menopause, it makes sense that joint pain and stiffness increase.

OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN REPORT JOINT PAIN

Feeling a bit sore? Menopause can contribute to aches and joint pain. Learn more about common symptoms during menopause with options for relief.

Joint Pain During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Is crepiness your new word of the day? Dry skin is an extremely common sign that perimenopause is here. Thanks to decreasing estrogen levels, our skin can become less supple, smooth, and soft. Fine wrinkles, dark spots and less elasticity are usually not far behind. Fantastic news, right?

AW037 Dry Itchy Skin Hero (abstract illustration showing dry, itchy skin)

AW035 Dry Itchy Skin Icon (abstract illustration showing dry, itchy skin)

Moisturize! Hydrate! Eat foods high in anti-oxidants (colorful fruits and vegetables). Reduce stress by meditating or doing yoga. Did you know that supplementing your body’s natural estrogen can help your skin? 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Dry Itchy Skin

Dry skin is a scourge for us all, due to our body slowing its production of the protein collagen, which serves as the “scaffolding” that supports and plumps your skin.

OF WOMEN OF MENOPAUSAL AGE HAVE ISSUES WITH THEIR SKIN

Is menopause the cause for your dry, itchy skin? Learn more about common menopause symptoms & get options for relief.

Itchy Dry Skin During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

You cough, you sneeze, you exercise–you pee a little. Lack of bladder control, or stress incontinence, can be caused by pregnancy, childbirth or menopause. You know, all the things women do. There’s also urge incontinence and overflow incontinence. Fun times!

AW029 Urinary Incontinence Hero (abstract illustration showing urinary incontinence)

AW030 Urinary Incontinence Icon (abstract illustration showing urinary incontinence)

No need to live with urinary incontinence! There are exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor as well as medical options. Some women find they are helped by using topical estrogen. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Urinary Incontinence

Yes. Your vagina and bladder aren’t simply neighbors. The bladder is actually supported by the vagina and both are rich in estrogen receptors. Weak vaginal walls lead to poor bladder support.

OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN EXPERIENCE URINARY INCONTINENCE

Why does menopause make your bladder weaker? Learn more about urinary incontinence during perimenopause and menopause.

Urinary Incontinence During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop more quickly than testosterone levels. What happens with this unbalanced testosterone? You can start to lose hair where you want it and grow it where you don’t. That can mean thinning hair, pesky chin hairs and mustaches.

AW011 Hair Loss Hero (abstract illustration showing hair loss)

AW013 Hair Loss Icon (abstract illustration showing hair loss)

Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can help with hair loss. For chin hairs, it’s time to invest in a great pair of tweezers! And when diet and plucking aren’t enough, talk to a menopause-trained doctor about your hormones. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Hair Loss

As many as two-thirds of post-menopausal women report hair loss. It’s totally normal, and incredibly stressful for many women.

OF WOMEN EXPERIENCE HAIR LOSS DURING MENOPAUSE

Noticing hair loss or thinning? Get safe, effective relief for the symptoms of menopause. Learn more.

Hair Loss & Thinning During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

You’re not losing your mind. Brain fog is real. Studies have found that memory function and estrogen levels are closely related — as in when a woman’s estrogen (specifically estradiol) drops, so does her cognitive function.

AW012 Brain Fog/Memory Loss Hero (abstract illustration showing memory loss)

AW014 Brain Fog/Memory Loss Icon (abstract illustration showing memory loss)

Brain fog improves once our hormones settle down. But until then, a healthy diet, sleep and exercise are key to keeping your brain synapses firing. So is managing your hormones. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Brain Fog/Memory Loss

Totally. Wait, what were we talking about? Seriously, though– brain fog is reported by many, many menopausal women. (And maybe the rest of them just forgot?!)

OF WOMEN IN MENOPAUSE FEEL FORGETFUL

Having difficulty remembering things? Menopause may be the cause. Learn more about brain fog and memory loss during menopause.

Brain Fog & Memory Loss: Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Osteoporosis is a progressive loss of bone, typically first in the spine, and later in the hip, wrists and even the jaw. As we age, women lose bone density twice as fast as men. Osteoporosis is a serious medical condition that can lead to disfigurement, disability and sometimes to death.

AW017 Osteoporosis Hero (abstract illustration showing osteoporosis)

AW178 Osteoporosis Icon (abstract illustration showing osteoporosis)

Osteoporosis is preventable. Regular exercise and a diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D is a great start. Estrogen is FDA-approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Osteoporosis

Everyone loses bone mass as we age, but not all of us develop osteoporosis. The most rapid phase of bone loss happens in the first 5 to 6 years after your final menstrual period.

OF PEOPLE WHO BREAK THEIR HIP DIE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE FRACTURE

Menopause causes estrogen levels to drop, resulting in an increased risk for osteoporosis. Learn more & get relief.

Osteoporosis (Bone Density Loss) During Menopause | Alloy

Worrying too much? Can’t relax? Feeling overly stressed? Having difficulties concentrating? High levels of these anxiety symptoms can lead to physical symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, and increased blood pressure.

AW016 Anxiety Hero (abstract illustration showing anxiety)

AW018 Anxiety Icon (abstract illustration showing anxiety)

If your anxiety is interfering with your ability to function in your daily life for more days than not within a 6-month period, speak to a doctor about your symptoms and possible treatment options. And most importantly, don’t suffer in silence.

Anxiety

You are not alone. The changing hormones of menopause can sometimes trigger anxiety symptoms.

PERCENT OF WOMEN EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DURING PERIMENOPAUSE

Welcome to menopause. As your hormones change, it's common for to experience heightened anxiety & mood changes. Learn more.

Anxiety Symptoms During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed. Your brain is full of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and the changing estrogen levels of menopause can trigger confusing and sometimes debilitating emotional states.

AW021  Depression Hero (abstract illustration showing depression)

AW019 Depression Icon (abstract illustration showing depression)

If you are experiencing extreme sadness for most of the day nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, you may have clinical depression. Speak to a mental health provider about this for more help. And most importantly, don’t suffer in silence.

Depression

Yes. Many studies now show that depressive symptoms get worse during the menopause transition.

OF WOMEN REPORT FEELING DEPRESSED AT MIDLIFE.

Is it normal to experience depression during menopause? Learn more about common symptoms with effective options for relief.

Depression Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

There’s sleepy, there’s tired, and then there’s fatigue — as in, you wish you were energetic enough to consider yourself exhausted. For many of us, menopause fatigue goes beyond the worn out feeling that came with college all-nighters, sleepless nights as new parents, or stressful careers.

Symptom - Fatigue - 1

Symptom - Fatigue - 2

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AW026 Fatigue Hero (abstract illustration showing fatigue)

AW020 Fatigue Icon (abstract illustration showing fatigue)

Practice good ‘sleep hygiene.’ Keep a consistent routine, remove phones from your bedroom, keep the room cool and dark, and buy breathable cotton sheets. It’s also important to treat those night sweats with hormones. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Fatigue

The majority of women in menopause or perimenopause complain of fatigue. Insomnia, night sweats, the need to pee in the middle of the night, and hormonal changes are all to blame.

WOMEN IN MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY SLEEPING

Feeling extra tired? Menopause can contribute to fatigue. Learn more about relief & treatment.

Fatigue Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Estrogen and progesterone, which decline during menopause, influence a number of brain chemicals like “calming” GABA, “rewarding” dopamine, “energizing” norepinephrine, and “mood boosting” serotonin. When your hormones change, so do these other brain chemicals.

AW027 Irritability Hero (abstract illustration showing irritability)

AW023 Irritability Icon (abstract illustration showing irritability)

Stop, sit, breathe, and take stock of what’s going on. Write down what you’re feeling. Talk it out with friends or seek a support group. And speak to a menopause-trained doctor about how balancing your hormones can affect your mood.

Irritability

Hell yes. During perimenopause and menopause, irritability, sadness, anger, or anxiety — or swinging from one emotional zone to another — are very real.

WOMEN IN MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE IRRITABILITY

Menopause can make some women experience heightened irritability or mood swings. Learn more about common symptoms & treatment options.

Irritability Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

AW024 Painful Sex Hero (abstract illustration showing painful sex)

AW025 Painful Sex Icon (abstract illustration showing painful sex)

Locally applied estrogen (cream, tablet, or ring) can reinstate your body’s ability to create natural lubrication and strengthen your vaginal walls, returning it to its strong, supple, elastic self. (Coming soon to Alloy.)

Painful Sex

More than half of menopausal women report experiencing painful sex or vaginal dryness during menopause. If left untreated, painful sex can worsen with time. But we’re here to tell you effective treatment exists!

OF POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN SAY THEY FIND SEX PAINFUL

Is it normal to experience painful sex during menopause? Learn more about common symptoms with effective options for relief.

Painful Sex During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

Really? At our age?? Sigh. And just like during puberty, hormones are to blame this time too. While teenage acne made its appearance on your forehead and nose, menopausal acne tends to appear lower on your face, around your chin and jaw. Lovely.

AW022 Acne Hero (abstract illustration showing acne)

AW028 Acne Icon (abstract illustration showing acne)

For mild cases, over the counter treatments can work. For more severe acne, solutions such as prescription retinoids can be more effective. And speak to a menopause-trained doctor about how managing your hormones can affect your skin. 

Head over to our [product page](https://myalloy.com/products "Products") to see what your options are. A menopause-trained physician will review your choices and let you know your best options. Start feeling better NOW!

Acne

Yes, about 25% of women ages 40-49 experience adult acne. The good news is it’s more of an issue during perimenopause than menopause.

OF WOMEN AGES 40 TO 49 ARE AFFECTED BY ACNE

Over 40 and experiencing adult acne? Learn more about common symptoms during menopause with treatment options for relief.

Acne Symptoms During Perimenopause & Menopause | Alloy

From hot flashes to itchy skin, learn more about common menopause symptoms. Get safe, effective relief for the symptoms of plain old aging.