What are the most common symptoms of menopause?

Hot flashes and night sweats are widely recognized as some of the hallmark symptoms of menopause. During this transitional period, the body undergoes hormonal changes, primarily a decrease in estrogen levels, which can lead to vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes. These episodes are characterized by a sudden sensation of heat, often accompanied by sweating, flushing of the skin, and an increased heart rate. Night sweats are essentially hot flashes that occur at night and can disrupt sleep.

While the other options include some symptoms that may occur during menopause, they are not as universally recognized or prevalent. Weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, and increased appetite can all be associated with menopause, but hot flashes and night sweats are more direct consequences of the hormonal shifts that define this stage in a woman's life. Therefore, the prominence and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats make them the most common symptoms associated with menopause.