Information on Signs of Menopause Starting

Menopause is the stage in a woman’s life when periods cease. Signs of menopause starting is a process that can take several years with a variety of signs and symptoms of menopause in varying degrees being experienced. Each woman can experience all of the symptoms or just a few. Along with all of this you may find it helpful to get a basic overview of the physiological changes your body is actually undergoing.

There are three stages of the entire menopause process and different changes occur in each one. Obtaining information about menopause will assist you recognize different signs of menopause starting; it can help you to cope by understanding what is causing your symptoms.

Stages and Symptoms of  Menopause Age 

Perimenopause Signs
Perimenopause is the first stage. A first sign and symptom of menopause is irregular periods. These can present with occasional spotting due to hormone levels fluctuating. In some cases periods can become heavier and last longer. Because the follicle stimulating hormones are fluctuating during this time period there will be some menstrual cycles where no ovulation occurs.

There are many other symptoms associated with women and menopause. These symptoms can be irritability, night sweats, and hot flashes. Weight gain, mood swings, headaches, body aches, breast tenderness and water retention are a few other symptoms that can all be related to hormone levels being either too high or too low.

Menopause Signs
Women and menopause go hand in hand. It’s a stage in life that cannot be skipped or overlooked. Whether it’s experienced naturally or the premature result of a health condition, chemotherapy, or low estrogen levels, all women can successfully experience this change. Each woman is born with a fixed number of eggs in the ovaries.As the years throughout their lifetime pass, some eggs are disposed of through menstruation, are fertilized, or, as is the case with most, just naturally die off before they leave the ovaries.

So eventually the point will be reached when no more eggs will be released for fertilization. Age also causes the hormone levels associated with ovulation and menstruation to decline. As this happens the ovulation and menstruation cycles become irregular and eventually cease all together. Thus begins the menopausal stage of life when a woman no longer gets her period. The process can take up to 15 years depending on age and family history.

Post Menopause Signs
This is the final stage of the menopause process. Technically, menopause is confirmed after twelve consecutive months without menstruation. Usually a doctor can run a test to measure the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). If the levels are between 30 and 50 then post menopause has been reached. These high levels of FSH are present because the pituitary gland is working extra hard in an effort to produce enough FSH to cause ovulation.

The process is unsuccessful since there are no more eggs to release, but these high levels are usually harmless. All of the signs and symptoms should start to decrease. The hot flashes will get milder and less frequent. Some women notice that their energy and emotional levels begin to stabilize.

What to do if the Signs of Menopause Starting?
There are many options women can turn to for help for menopause symptoms. Some women choose to cope with them by using natural alternatives while others opt for hormone replacement therapy. Good health habits can also go a long way in easing the transition into the post menopausal phase. Women should stick to nutritious diets of calcium rich foods.

Regular bone density scans may be needed if osteoporosis becomes a concern. There are also many natural and herbal remedies that can help alleviate symptoms during all stages of menopause. Each woman has to make their own personal decision as to their approach and response when they notice signs of menopause starting.  The key is not to ignore the signs of menopause starting but to educate yourself and find out what works well for you.

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