Telltale Symptoms of Menopause

January 18, 2009 by
Filed under: Menopause

The majority of women who are about to enter menopause will start to notice signs that the condition is fast approaching. Fluctuating hormone levels are the cause of menopause symptoms. This is the beginning of the wind down of the reproductive system. As hormone production decreases, most women will start to have symptoms even if their periods haven’t stopped.

Somewhere between their late 30s and early 40s, many women will start to notice the first signs of menopause. This is the time when a woman’s body cuts down on the production of progesterone and estrogen. This stage of menopause is known as perimenopause.

The ovaries gradually stop releasing eggs, so ovulation becomes irregular. A woman’s body is no longer as fertile as it was so it will be more difficult to become pregnant. As well, pregnancy during this time has more risk associated with it.

One of the early symptoms of menopause is an irregular period. Usually the flow is much heavier or much lighter than the woman has experienced to that point in time.

Mood swings are also a sign of menopause. You might need to take antidepressant medication to relieve the problem.

Hot flashes are another common experience. This is like a wave of heat that passes through the body at unexpected times, often while sleeping. She’ll start sweating profusely and her face will turn red.

Other symptoms of menopause include sleeping disorders and an increase in belly fat. Sleeping disorders can lead to depression and exhaustion and need to be monitored by a doctor.

Some women also experience a diminished sex drive and vaginal dryness. Other signs of menopause are thinning hair and falling breasts.

The symptoms become more noticeable throughout the 40s. Some time soon after turning 50, the transition is over. Once a woman has made it through a full year without having a period, she has officially reached menopause. The average age for this is 51.

Symptoms are usually experienced throughout all the stages of menopause. On the other hand, there are women who are never rid of them for the remainder of their life.

Menopause is a unique experience for each woman. There are those who are barely aware of the process. Other women will experience symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.

Visit your doctor if you think you’ve started menopause. He or she will be able to advise you on how to deal with the various stages of menopause. Some of the methods of managing the symptoms include lifestyle changes, pain relievers and hormone therapy.

Share and Enjoy: