Many women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, low mood, insomnia, and weight changes. About 75% of women report hot flashes, and nearly 40% have increased risk of mood shifts or depression during menopause. These symptoms often impact quality of life, work performance, and relationships.

Menopause, which officially begins one year after your last period, can bring with it some noticeable changes to the skin and hair. However, with the right care, you can lessen these effects.

After menopause, decreased estrogen alters the vaginal mucosa—higher pH, thinner tissues, fewer protective lactobacilli—which creates conditions that promote uropathogen colonization and UTI risk 

This falls under the broader “genitourinary syndrome of menopause” (GSM), where atrophic vaginitis frequently leads to urinary symptoms and infection vulnerability 

Women are beginning to push back against the stigma and shame that has historically defined menopause. As these conversations gain momentum, they reveal just how little we understand this phase of life.