Peri Menopause: Know The Signs And Symptoms Of Menopause
Monday
Jul 21, 2008
The signs of menopause….or is it peri menopause in your case? Those two words can bring disdain to even the toughest of women. The time will come in every woman’s life when the road she has traveled since puberty will begin to change. Do you know the signs and symptoms you will be facing? Let’s find out.
The average age when most women begin to experience menopause or early menopause is usually somewhere between the ages of 40 and 49. It can strike at anytime beyond the age of 30. Lots of women discover that they begin menopause around the same age as their mothers did but not in all cases.
The only exception to this is in women who have had both ovaries and uterus surgically removed and in this instance will experience what is known as “surgical menopause.” If the ovaries remain after surgery then gradual menopause will take place as natural hormones are produced less over time.
Perimenopause in many cases can precede actual menopause. The ovaries begin producing less of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. When this occurs gradually the change begins and signs and symptoms of menopause can be very slight.
The most obvious signs of impending menopause is the noticeable skipping or delayed period or in some cases your periods occur more closer together than usual. Flow volumes are also affected and will be heavier or in some women lighter than normal.
Another symptom is the dreaded hot flashes which can usually begin in the chest area and radiate up into your head with pulsating sensations. Your skin may become reddened and sweating usually occurs as well.
Other symptoms which may occur with hot flashes may also include nausea and dizziness. Some woman experience headaches and rapid heartbeat.
Hot flashes occurring at night are also know as night sweats and also cause sleeping problems which in turn produces tiredness the next day contributing to the symptoms already being experienced.
Quite often emotional symptoms also occur which can include sadness, tiredness, anxiety, frustration and others. Seeing your physician is your best defense against these types of symptoms. There are treatments available that can help alleviate these symptoms and help make them more tolerable.
The process of peri menopause and menopause in general is usually very gradual and can take several years to run it’s course. Blood test can be taken by your physician to determine what stage of menopause your are in but in most cases when no period has taken place for 12 months, menopause has ended.
It is important to remember that all women experience menopause in different ways. The process can be fairly quick for some women and symptoms mild but for other it can take longer with more discomfort.
The good news is that there are a ton of new and exciting product available today both natural and prescribed that can have a huge effect on how you get through menopause. Treatments also include hormone replacement therapy and these should be discussed with your doctor to experience the results you desire.
