Finally reached menopause? Here's what to expect next

If you've made it to menopause, you've experienced it all, from hot flashes and night sweats to mood swings and years of irregular periods. And let's not forget all the hair you might've lost while your hormones were fluctuating (if so, here are some great hair growth products for women to get your confidence back). And while most of those symptoms should subside soon, there are more lesser-known symptoms that could be coming your way.

For starters, you could begin to experience bladder changes, brain fog and sexual health issues. But don't worry – while none of this sounds like a walk in the park, there are treatment options to help you feel more like yourself again.

We spoke with Dr. Karen Tang, a board-certified gynecologist, to find out what happens to your body now that you've reached postmenopause and what you can do about it. For more, check out these best hair growth vitamins and supplements, according to experts.

How to tell if you've entered menopause

If you haven't had a period for 12 consecutive months, then pat yourself on the back because you've finally reached the menopause milestone. However, this doesn't count if you're taking medications like birth control to stop your periods, Tang tells AOL.

And while you've struggled with perimenopause symptoms for the last several years, like hot flashes, those should start to simmer down as you transition into postmenopause, the final menopause stage you'll stay in for the rest of your life.

"People actually feel more symptoms during perimenopause than they do when they're actually in full menopause," Tang explains. So that's something to look forward to now that you've fully made the transition.

And if you're still experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, here are some products and tips to stop them.

Symptoms you might experience now that you're postmenopausal

One surprising symptom which is actually relatively common is poor sleep, Tang says. "Women can have trouble staying asleep and wake up a lot at night." This could be due to the new bladder changes (more below) causing you to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, as well as any lingering hot flashes and night sweats.

You could also start experiencing brain fog, including memory issues and trouble concentrating. At work, this can affect your ability to focus on your workload, and some women end up dropping out of the workforce, Tang says.

Once you enter menopause, you'll likely notice your lack of interest in sex because your estrogen levels have significantly dropped. A low libido can lead to more trouble achieving an orgasm and vaginal dryness which can cause pain during sex and even bleeding, Tang explains.

With menopause comes changes to your bladder, which includes having the urge to pee more frequently. As a result of these changes, Tang notes you could start to get UTIs because the tissue gets dry and delicate, making it easier for bacteria to enter.

Finally, you could start to have muscle aches, specifically in your feet, knees and joints.

How to treat menopause symptoms

If the symptoms above start to interfere with your quality of life, there are treatment options to help.

Hormone replacement therapy: You can take a combination of estrogen and progesterone in patch or pill form, or it can be given vaginally, Tang says. You could also apply a cream or gel directly to your vagina, or have a vaginal ring inserted.

Non-hormonal options: If you're not interested in taking hormones, or you're unable to due to a medical condition, Tang says there are non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes. For instance, she notes a medication called Veozah which "works on the receptors in the brain to help with hot flashes." If you're still experiencing mood symptoms, she says antidepressants can help.

Ask your doctor about supplements: Tang likes the Centrum's line of menopausal support supplements, noting they "help in a non-hormonal way with things like hot flashes." There's a multivitamin with non-soy phytoestrogens, which act like estrogen but contains no hormones, that helps with hot flashes, she explains. The other multivitamins can help your quality of sleep, and help bring back your focus and clarity caused by brain fog.

Exercise: With menopause comes weight gain and more belly fat, Tang says, and that's due to all the metabolic changes going on with your body. If you start to notice the pounds packing on, she recommends doing more strength training to help beef up the muscle mass you may have lost while transitioning into menopause.

Use lubrication during sexual activities: Vaginal dryness is a common symptom after you've reached menopause, but Tang says lubrication can help with the dryness and make sex less painful.

Invest in good hair growth products: If you're still shedding an abundance of hair, you may want to start using hair growth products designed for women to curb hair thinning and shedding.

Are there any longer term concerns for postmenopausal women?

Yes, there are concerns you need to be aware of after you've entered menopause. "As time goes on, people start to have more of the medical risks like heart disease and osteoporosis, or thinning bones, which can increase risk of getting bone fractures," Tang explains.

Over time, the genitourinary symptoms of menopause – the bladder and vaginal symptoms mentioned above – can get worse, as can your bone and heart health if not treated, she says. But she notes that making lifestyle modifications can help – for instance, regularly checking in with a doctor to keep an eye on your heart health, cholesterol and bone health, as well as talking about exercise and nutrition.

As for symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, those tend to improve within a couple of years of going into menopause, she says. So you shouldn't be experiencing those when you're 90 years old (whew!).