Irregular menstrual periods that are shorter or longer,or heavier, with more or less time in between them is normally the first sign our bodies give us that menopause is near.While its considered a symptom of change of life, irregular periods are really a perimenopause symptom that takes place during the years leading up to full menopause. In any case, since abnormal periods can go on for six years or more, it helps to recognize what to expect and how you can manage your cycle.



Effects of Peri-Menopause on the Menstrual Cycle

As you'd expect, the crazy periods that come along with menopause are caused by lower levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. As levels of these hormones decline, your pituitary gland sends out more of the hormone that stimulates the follicles. While your body is occupied trying to get levels of these hormones to balance out, your menstrual cycle is caught in the crossfire.

Are You Experiencing Heavy Periods?

You could experience excess menstruation for six years or more before your periods stop.

Missing Periods and More Frequent Periods

Missing a period in the time leading up to menopause is very common. Sometimes this may be for several months at a time or sometimes just the occasional period is missed. Since we are all different some women will find the opposite to be true and experience periods more frequently such as every 15 days.

Changes to the Length of Periods

Longer periods happen to a fair amount of women, too. Some women entering menopause find their periods going of for up to three weeks, although flow is usually minimal. On the other hand, you could get off easy and end up having periods that last just a day or two.

Thin, Watery Periods

This is a symptom that is not talked of very much unlike heavy periods or irregular menstrual cycles. It is in truth, a fairly common occurence particulary among those women who experience loger periods. It is not normally anything to be worried about unless there is a chance you maybe pregnant where an ectopic pregnancy is a possibility. If you are also experiencing abdominal pain then it is imperitive that you consult a doctor immediately.

Treatments for irregular periods

One of the simplest ways to normalize your menstruation is to make sure you're getting enough B complex vitamins, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. All these nutrients have been shown to help normalize the menstrual cycle. If youd like to try herbs, black cohosh and chasteberry tree are good choices. You may also want to consider adding natural sources of estrogen in the form of estrogenic foods such as soy, cherries, and yams.

Most women suffer from some level of PMS, with some women feeling their symptoms worse than other women. The purpose of this article was to give you a variety of natural PMS relief options.