Learning About Different Menopause Symptoms
Menopause symptoms are many and varied, based on the individual. Some women will suffer through no symptoms and will merely note that their periods stop after a short time of irregularity. Others may go through every possible symptom, even up to ten years before menopause properly hits. The symptoms are important to understand so you can watch over your health, see a doctor if something seems suspicious, and so you can understand what to expect in the coming years.
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of forty and sixty and is individual to each woman. Some women may feel the symptoms early, though they continue to have regular periods. This is known as pre-menopause. Others may not experience any symptoms and have a relatively brief and easy stage of menopause.
There is the mistaken belief that menopause is when a woman's period ends. In truth, this is only another symptom. Menopause is really when a woman's ovaries stop releasing as much estrogen and thereby stop releasing eggs. Lower estrogen levels are responsible for all symptoms, including one's period stopping.
Irregular periods will probably occur for a while before the periods stop entirely. This is very normal. The new hormone levels will throw your entire body off its usual track. Think of how irregular your periods were when you went through puberty. This is the same process, just going in the other direction. Irregular periods may mean other irregularities, like premenstrual syndrome at odd times or all month long, constant cramping, or sore breasts. A doctor can best examine and qualify these symptoms.
Decreased sexual drive is another side effect of lowered estrogen. This is very natural, considering the rapid changes one's reproductive system is undergoing. Women can experience vaginal dryness or itching, which can also make sexual intercourse difficult or undesirable.
Less estrogen in the system will affect physical appearance. Many women experience hair growth in new areas, like the chin and upper lip. Skin can become rougher and hair can become more brittle. It is important to take proper care of these changing elements through conditioners, vitamins, and lotions. This will help prevent against lowered self-confidence.
Hot flashes may be the most uncomfortable symptom. It is a complicated reaction done so your body can attempt to regular itself--especially to regulate temperature. It is literally a sudden flash of heat that can make women sweat and feel weakly feverish. It ends as suddenly as it begins and many women are left cold. Medication is the only option. Most women choose to suffer through it with fans and ice cubes ready at all times, not knowing that there are different internal cures.
The strain on your body will be tremendous, leading to many headaches and muscle stress. Joints and bones could be sore. You may feel like you have to pee more frequently. These should all be brought to the attention of your doctor but, for the most part, they are normal. Your body tries to cope with changes in strange ways.
Depression may be the longest and most damaging of symptoms. The hormone changes could spark a chemical imbalance. The other common reason for depression is because women tend to have negative views around menopause. Many believe it has made them less of a woman or old. Other symptoms certainly do not do anything to ease depression. Since so many women have trouble sleeping due to menopause, it can make depression much worse. This is added to being sore and uncomfortable, having hot flashes, and no sex drive. Therapy has been known to do wonders for women, in addition to herbal supplements.
Jan Walodene is an expert author and writes about menopause and menopause symptoms .
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