Early Stages of Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of the Early Stages of Menopause

Menopause is a natural progression in the life cycle of women. It can last for years.

Signs of the early stages of menopause can begin up to ten years prior to the onset of full-blown menopause. Not every woman will experience it in the same way or with the same intensity. Remedies that worked for your mother may not be effective for you. It is very strongly recommend however that if you even think you are experiencing signs of perimenopause, talk to your doctor and be examined. This is to rule any other health condition that might be affecting you.

Signs and Symptoms

The early stages of menopause usually begin when a woman is in her 40s or 50s. It is possible for symptoms to start in her mid 30s as well. Keeping track of your menstrual cycles is going to be important during this time. Note any other changes such as feeling depressed, unexplained weight gain, or unexplained irritability.

You may notice changes in your periods from month to month. They may become shorter or longer. You may even miss a few. The erratic occurrence of ovulation indicates decreasing levels of progesterone. This can cause longer periods and heavier bleeding.

Hot flashes, night sweats and sleep problems also may occur. Night sweats are just hot flashes except they occur at night. You could perspire to the extent that your bed linens and night clothes may become damp. When you get up to cool off and get back into bed, you may be chilled because the linens have cooled down. These disruptions of sleep can occur multiple times in one night.

Mood changes are very common in the early stages of menopause. It is one of the most common reasons women seek treatment. These mood changes can be so intense as to become debilitating.

Your fertility lessens as you progress toward menopause. You may have vaginal drying and bladder problems. The tissues of the vagina become tighter and less supple. This can make intercourse very uncomfortable and may contribute to some loss of bladder control.

As a woman, you are at risk for a disease called Osteoporosis. This weakens the bone structure and density. Hormonal fluctuation can contribute to this problem. This may make you somewhat more susceptible to breaking a bone.

Fluctuating hormone levels can also play havoc with your blood sugar levels. If you are Diabetic or if you have a family history of Diabetes, you may want to have your doctor check your blood sugar levels periodically to make sure they stay within normal levels.


As Estrogens lessen, it could raise your blood cholesterol levels. Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) when high puts you at risk for heart disease. The High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), the good cholesterol actually decreases in some women as they get older. It is highly recommended that if you have any of these signs or symptoms that you consult your physician. Together, you can determine whether you are in the early stages of menopause.

Conclusion

The early stages of menopause will affect all women at some point in time. They can include the night sweats, mood swings, and hot flashes among other symptoms. Initially you may experience irregular periods or irregular bleeding. In order to make certain it is the early stages of menopause and not some other health condition, a visit with your doctor is imperative.


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