Usually, it is approximately five years before menopause occurs that you will notice changes to your menstrual cycle. In these peri-menopause years, a woman's ovaries will start to become less responsive causing with menopausal changes within the body. Although hormones are still actively working during peri-menopause, this is the time when your cycle will change in comparison with your younger years.
As you hit menopause, you will find that your periods become more erratic. Some months they may arrive several days early and the next surprisingly late. With all of these changes, you will be now be less fertile. Eventually the periods will become lighter until they stop completely. Sometimes this will be a gradual process and other times they will stop abruptly. Usually, the gradual tapering is the one you are more likely to experience.
Although menopause signals the end of monthly periods, women may find that as they get closer to menopause, symptoms may intensify. Stomach cramps, back pain, bloating, swollen and tender breasts, mood changes and fatigue are some of the symptoms from which you may unfortunately suffer each month.
The hormones primarily responsible are estrogen and progesterone as they have the responsibility for a woman's bleeding each month during menstruation. Estrogen and progesterone also effect our moods and emotions.
When they think they are approaching menopause and their periods are irregular, some women like to use a menstrual diary to keep track. Keeping a diary helps women to feel empowered about the changes they are experiencing. It is inconvenient and frustrating coping with irregular periods as menopause approaches, but being organised will make things that little bit easier.
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