Early Signs of Menopause - Are You Having Irregular Periods?

For many women, one of the early signs of menopause is irregular periods. While many woman experience irregular periods at some point in their lives for various reasons, if you are a woman in your mid-40's or older, it is very often a sign that you are approaching menopause. Clinically speaking, menopause occurs when a woman has not had a period for twelve consecutive months. 

To determine what constitutes irregular periods, you must first understand what regular periods are. While it is often thought that the menstrual cycle occurs every 28 days, this can vary quite a bit from woman to woman. Some women have shorter cycles, while others have longer cycles. This is determined by a woman's hormones and physiological makeup.    Some women find it helpful to keep a chart of their periods. Regular periods mean that the number of days between the start of each of your periods is consistent, usually give or take a day. You may also take into consideration the typical length of your period. On average, a woman's period lasts about 5 days, but again, for some women they are longer and for others they are shorter.    Your periods are considered "irregular" when these timeframes start to change. You may notice variations in the length of time between each period, some occurring sooner than normal for you, and some occurring later. Or, you may start to occasionally skip a period altogether. 

Another aspect of irregularity has to do with the amount of bleeding during your period. You may also have a month where you don't have a full period, but rather just some light spotting for that month. Another month you may have an unusually heavy flow. Also, you may experience some spotting in between periods.    When you enter into perimenopause, the period of time preceding menopause, your hormones are beginning to fluctuate and your estrogen levels start to decrease. This in turn leads to changes in your menstrual cycle, and eventually to it stopping altogether. For some women, this can be a very emotional time, as they realize that their childbearing years have come to an end. For others, it signals a newfound freedom. No more periods can be a great relief!   If you suspect you are experiencing the early signs of menopause, such as irregular periods, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor. The best approach to menopause is to be prepared, take very good care of yourself, and understand what is happening to your body along the way.