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Early Menopause Signs

Early menopause signs and symptoms are both physical and emotional, and cover a broad spectrum of signals to let a woman know she has begun the menopause process earlier than she expected. Irregular periods are the most common of the earliest symptoms, where they are occurring more often than normal for her or skipping a month now and again. The flow will also be irregular, sometimes very heavy and sometimes very light and lasting longer. Eventually, the cycles stop altogether. These symptoms can be signs of serious problems as well, so it is wise for a woman to keep in touch with her physician when she notices any of these early symptoms occurring. A check-up will determine whether anything is wrong.

What can be one of the most upsetting early menopause symptoms is the inability to conceive. Women often don't know they are in early menopause (also called perimenopause) until they visit a reproductive endocrinologist to find out why they aren't able to get pregnant. During the testing to determine fertility problems, it will become apparent that menopause is the culprit. Common among women experiencing these early menopause signs and symptoms is the occurrence of hot flashes. Some studies have indicated that of a woman enters menopause before age 52, her chances for having hot flashes are increased. About 80 to 90% of the women who have had their ovaries surgically removed have hot flashes as well. The good news about hot flashes is that they can be controlled. There are several options for treating these uncomfortable effects of early menopause, and some things a person can do to reduce their frequency, such as reducing stress, wear loose-fitting clothing, exercise, and cut back on caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods. One of the easiest things a woman can do for herself is to splash cold water on her face and wrists when she begins to feel the heat of a hot flash.

One of the effects of estrogen levels dropping is vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy. This tissue that is usually elastic, and easily stretched for sex and childbirth, loses its elasticity. It's a very unpleasant part of pre-menopause, and often very upsetting to a woman in her 20s or 30s. The good news is, these early menopause signs and symptoms are usually completely reversible. Estrogen replacement therapy through pills or vaginal cream will help with dryness and atrophy. Women should avoid anything that will dry the vagina such as perfumed bubble bath or perfumed toilet papers, and avoid antihistamines and certain decongestants.

The depleted estrogen levels that trigger the onset of perimenopause symptoms can cause bladder control problems for women too. Increased frequency of urination can occur, and stress incontinence, (small leaks when exerting ones self) can occur. This is usually more annoying than serious. Should this problem become severe, however, a doctor should be consulted to determine another cause. Again, there are things a woman can do for herself, and they are (1) Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles around the vagina and bladder opening, and (2) cut back on caffeine and alcohol, since both make you urinate more frequently.

Insomnia is another sign of perimenopause and is very annoying. Relief might be obtained through drinking herbal tea before going to bed. Other herbs, such as valerian, are natural sedatives that may help. Avoiding stimulants like caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, or strenuous exercise close to bedtime can help. Keeping your bedroom cool is an important sleep aid as well. Other rather frightening early menopause symptoms are palpitations, weight gain, and wrinkling and loss of muscle tone in your skin. For the palpitations, try to minimize stress. Deep breathing may help this problem, along with not smoking, and keeping alcohol and caffeine consumption as low as possible. The weight gain occurs because the metabolism slows down with loss of hormones, and it all seems to go to the middle of the body so the waistline disappears. Not what a woman wants to have happen, but it is another one of the unpleasant early menopause symptoms. Changes in diet and exercise will speed up the rate of metabolism. Lower estrogen levels slow down the production of collagen in the body, which keeps the skin toned, fresh-looking and resilient. So with the onset of perimenopause symptoms such as drier, flakier, less youthful-looking skin will be one of them. Moisturizing creams may help temporarily, but you will notice a definite, more permanent difference with hormone therapy.

Yet another one of the early menopause signs and symptoms associated with hormone loss is frequent and severe headaches. Since many women experience headaches just before their periods or at ovulation, they have a good chance of experiencing more of them, and they may be more severe as the hormone levels drop. Try standard over-the-counter remedies like aspirin, or certain herbs such as feverfew. If the headaches become severe, consult your doctor for a prescription medication. Some more early menopause signs and symptoms may include breast tenderness, gastrointestinal distress and nausea, tingling or itchy skin, "buzzing" in your head, bloatedness, dizziness/lightheadednes, sore joints and/or muscles, hair loss or thinning, increase in facial hair, and changes in body odor. In conclusion, early menopause is not something any woman wants, but it's helpful to know that the unpleasant symptoms are temporary, and relief is available. Scripture reminds us to do our best to take care of our bodies because they are gifts from God, as in "But he spake of the temple of his body." (John 2:21)

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