For women in their thirties menopause is the last word they want to hear and the last thing they want to think about. No one wants to admit that they're at that stage of their life yet, even if it is just the "pre" menopause stage. It doesn't ever feel like it should be happening yet, especially when most people still have babies or small children at that age. And yet, you can tell your body doesn't feel 100% normal. You're not eating any differently but you started gaining wait, your breasts are sore, and your periods are becoming irregular. You're skin is dry and your sex drive just isn't what it used to be. You're irritable, tired, and getting headaches. So what's the deal, what is happening?

Pre-menopause is something that all women either know about or have at least heard about, but no one seems to have a name for it or be able to recognize it when it rears its ugly head. Millions of women are going through pre-menopause or have experienced some kind of symptoms, but don't think there's any possible way it's menopause because they're still in their early thirties.

Symptoms that come along with pre-menopause are basically the same as those that go with menopause: PMS, endometriosis, fibroids, tender and sore breasts, fatigue, irritability, depression, foggy thinking, sudden weight gain, having a hard time conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to full term, memory loss, migraine headaches, light or very heavy periods, spots, bleeding in between periods, and cold hands and feet. While it is a pretty long list, chances are you won't have every single symptom, but instead just a select few.

All of these symptoms are caused by hormone imbalances, mostly from having too much of the hormone estrogen and not enough of the hormone progesterone. These symptoms are not just scientific and medical; they also have a lot to do with and are more evident in women who are out of touch with their bodies and feelings. Basically, stress heightens the symptoms.

When women have the prescribed pre-menopausal symptoms doctors will usually administer estrogen supplements. Unfortunately, if estrogen doesn't clear up symptoms, doctors will often perform hysterectomy's or try drugs for depression such as Zoloft of Prozac unnecessarily. Other than getting pills, women can utilize a healthy diet and regular workout and exercise regimen to help with these early pre-menopause symptoms and an easier life transition.

Pre-menopause is the mixture of a body beginning to cross yet another age marker, and symptoms that every woman will notice around 10-15 years before actually going through menopause. It's kind of like a dress rehearsal for the big show.