The first symtoms of menopause also known as perimenopause can occur as long as ten years before the actual onset of full blown menopause. Basically, women in their late 30s up through the 40s can start the perimenopause cycle which is basically the reduction of the production of estrogen. Once the ovaries stop releasing eggs, then a women is in full blown menopause and will experience a full onset of symptoms, those early signs of menopause you may experience for years leading up to the actual event.
Irregular periods are often the first signs of menopause and may fluctuate in terms of bleeding from heavy episodes to virtually non-existent ones. In addition, a period may last for one day or it might last for ten days just as there might be breakthrough bleeding in between menstrual cycles that are slowly becoming more irregular.
Hot flashes, one of the first signs of menopause, are also the most joked about of all the symptoms of this biological change. As many as seventy-five to eighty percent of all women experience this uncomfortable feeling which can last as short as thirty seconds or as long at thirty minutes or more. The average time for a hot flash moment is about five to ten minutes for these first signs of menopause. These hot flashes can be a warm flushing sensation on your face and upper body or it can present themselves as red blotchy skin.
Urinary problems may also be early signs of menopause but should always be checked out by a doctor to re-affirm the cause. Frequent need to urinate, development of a urinary tract infection and even leakage of urine when sneezing, coughing or exercising can also be attributed to perimenopause.
Irregular periods, of course, are also early signs of menopause as well. However, because perimenopause can last years, whenever you start exhibiting signs of irregularity, you should be examined by a doctor to rule out other health issues like tumors, fibroids, cancer and more. There are many things that can cause irregular periods and should not be the “end all to end all” signals of menopause.
Among the treatments possible for early menopause symptoms are hormone replacement therapy or HRT and some over-the-counter as well as prescription medications, muscle relaxants, prescription pain relievers and also medications that are anti-inflammatory. However, if you do not wish to be affected by side effects, you would be well advised to consider herbal supplements that are an option that more and more women are opting for.
The actual event itself will likely come with little fanfare as you have been experiencing the early signs of menopause for years. You are in true menopause when you have not had a period for at least one year. Of course, those symptoms will likely continue for a while longer past the perimenopausal stage. The real kick in the pants comes with the fact that you can still get pregnant while still exhibiting the early signs of menopause. As long as you are still having periods, that means you are still ovulating and thereby there is always a small chance of pregnancy.
For more information visit Natural Menopause Treatment as well as Natural Remedies for Menopause
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