Our bodies go through a lot of changes during our middle years. Some of these can be attributed to fluctuating (in our 40s) or decreasing (in our 50s) hormone levels and some can’t. However, according to the Harvard Women’s Health Watch report on Menopause, the four most commonly reported changes include:

• Mood changes and depression

• Insomnia or other sleep problems

• Cognitive or memory problems

• Decline in sexual desire and/or function

The domino effect of sleep deprivation can potentially cause all of these symptoms so it is understandable that these complaints would be at the top of the list.

Other changes that often occur, but cannot be positively attributed to hormonal changes include:

• Weight gain

• Urinary incontinence

• Heart palpitations

• Dry skin and hair

• Headaches

If you’re noticing changes - however vague– in your own body, you can check out a published list of 35 symptoms of Menopause, which was compiled by a group of women for Project Aware.