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[M410]Menopause Signs And Symptoms

by Barry Crewse, Bar

Somewhere between the ages of 40 to 59 is when most women begin to feel the effects of menopause but it has been know to occur almost anytime beyond the age of 30 or so. It is not uncommon for many women to experience menopause about the same age that their mothers did but not in all cases.

In some instances there are exceptions and one being is if both the ovaries and the uterus have been surgically removed. In this case women will experience what is known as "surgical menopause". In cases where the ovaries remain after surgery, gradual menopause will occur as less hormones are produced over time.

In many cases what is known as peri menopause occurs. As women begin to age less and less female hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone are produced. When this happens slowly the process is very slight and symptoms are generally very light.

The menstrual cycle is usually the first sign as periods are often starting to skip or in some cases they occur closer together. The menstrual flow will be noticeably heavier or lighter and can be accompanied by hot flashes as well.

Hot flashes usually begin with a warm feeling starting in your chest and with wave like sensations pulsate into your head. You may experience a redding of your skin and begin to sweat.

Nausea and dizziness along with their companions, rapid heartbeat and headaches may also occur but usually these are the most prominent signs and symptoms of peri menopause in the early changes of life.

If hot flashes occur at night, night sweats and trouble sleeping may produce tiredness the next day making the whole process even more miserable.

Quite often emotional symptoms also occur which can include sadness, tiredness, anxiety, frustration and others. Seeing your physician is your best defense against these types of symptoms. There are treatments available that can help alleviate these symptoms and help make them more tolerable.

The process of peri menopause and menopause in general is usually very gradual and can take several years to run it's course. Blood test can be taken by your physician to determine what stage of menopause your are in but in most cases when no period has taken place for 12 months, menopause has ended.

Of course, all women experience menopause on different levels. For some it can be a relatively quick and painless experience but for others it can be painfully slow and very frustrating to say the least.

Fortunately there are many treatment plans available which include both natural and prescription medication including hormone replacement therapy. Most women prefer trying the natural approach first and for many this may work. Always consult with your physician about your treatment plan if you are not experiencing the results you desire.

Did you know that menopause is not actually called 'menopause' until one year after your last period? Menopause, the word, is a combination of two Greek words which mean month and terminate. Translated literally menopause means "the end of the monthlies." The average woman reaches menopause about the age of fifty- one, although it can vary from your thirties to your fifties. Certain factors such as the age your mother began menopause and environmental influences may play a key role in determining when you begin to experience the signs and symptoms of perimenopause.

First, here are the most common symptoms of menopause:

&bull Anxiety and depression
&bull Endometriosis
&bull Fibroid tumors
&bull Foggy, fuzzy thinking and memory lapses
&bull Hot flashes and night sweats
&bull Inability to handle stress
&bull Irregular menstrual cycles
&bull Light or heavy menstrual flow
&bull Lumpy or tender breasts
&bull Mood swings
&bull PMS
&bull Sleep problems
&bull Vaginal dryness
&bull Water retention and bloating
&bull Weight gain

Other signs and symptoms

The most common is the hot flush. However, women may sometimes experience several of the symptoms listed below:

* hot flushes and night sweats
* aches and pains
* crawling or itching sensations under the skin
* headaches
* vaginal dryness
* reduced sex drive (libido)

To obtain menopause help for menopause signs symptoms, understand female hormones, the menstrual cycle and how hormone imbalance happens. In a healthy menstruating woman, estrogen is the main hormone produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. Ovulation then signals the female body to produce progesterone, which occurs for the next 12 or so days. Progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28 if there's no pregnancy, and menstruation begins.

Some women begin to have early menopause signs, symptoms and complaints in their late thirties. Changes in menstrual periods and more severe premenstrual symptoms may be related to menopause. If a woman stops menstruating before the age of 40, it is considered premature menopause. Sometimes this happens naturally and may be a result of genetics. In other cases it is caused by treatment for a medical condition, such as removal of the ovaries due to cancer. Women who experience an unnatural premature menopause typically have more severe menopause symtoms and medication is often necessary.

Alternative therapy may be beneficial in helping one to cope with menopause signs and symptoms. Acupuncture and relaxation techniques are natural therapies that could provide some relief to sufferers. Herbal remedies can be found online but before using them talk to a doctor and make sure they are safe to take. Interactions and interference with prescription meds is possible with taking certain herbs. Severe reactions have been documented so be sure and check on these remedies before taking them.

Living Life after Menopause

Many women are anxious, worried and even scared about going through menopause. Yes, it can be difficult to stop menstruating and no longer be able to bear children. However, many women find menopause to be a happy and exciting time in their lives. You are no longer bound to periods and hormones and can live without the worry of pregnancy. Through education and acceptance, menopause can become one of the most enjoyable stages in your life.

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Both Barry Crewse & Alien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Barry Crewse has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dog Beds, Home Security and Woman Menopause. To find out all the tips, tricks and latest information on menopause and it's causes along with all the latest treament plans available make sure you visit Barry Crewse's cutting edge site. Barry Crewse's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.

Alien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Fitness and Get Rid of Bed Bugs. Read out . Also check out for. Alien's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.