Signs, Symptoms And Menopause: What Your Body Says
August 18, 2008
The Symptoms of menopause. Or peri menopause for some women. Just that one word alone can strike trepidation into the hearts of the most stalwart women. Menopause is that fork in the road of life of every woman that, when it occurs, changes her life she has known since puberty. What are the signs and symptoms of menopause? Let’s explore.
Menopause can strike a women at almost anytime beyond the age of 30 but on average occurs any time from about 40 to 59. Often times many women find that they begin menopause at about the age their mothers did but this is not a hard and fast rule.
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.
Peri menopause 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.
Hot flashes are one of the most prominent early symptoms as well as they begin in your chest area and quickly pulsate and radiate into your head. Your skin can turn red and sweating most often happens giving this symptom it infamous name.
Dizziness and nausea may also occur as well as headaches and rapid heartbeat. Some women experience others as well but in the early stages these are the most common signs and symptoms of menopause.
Night sweats are hot flashes occurring at night of course and in most cases produce the side effect of irregular sleeping patterns. The feeling of being tired is usually the next symptom of hot flashes for many women.
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.
Luckily we live in an age where there are many new treatment plans available in both natural and prescription medications which also include hormone replacement therapy. The natural approach is always suggested first as many women respond well but you should always consult your physician about any prescribed or hormone treatment you may consider.
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