Throughout menopause, a majority of ladies expertise a slew of signs: scorching flashes, night time sweats, coronary heart palpitations, interrupted sleep, and irritability—to call a number of. Whereas many ladies study these hormonal unwanted side effects earlier than they arrive, board-certified OB/GYN Maria Sophocles, M.D., FACOG, NCMP, says one set of signs catches her sufferers off-guard essentially the most: vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. And, they’re much more stunned by how lengthy the signs can final.