Menopause happens. There is nothing we can do to stop it from happening. If you are a woman, consider it an inevitability. It is something with which we have to come to terms, just like getting our first period. Although it is a natural occurrence in life, it is still a time of frustration, sadness, and emotional upset - not to mention all the physical aspects. Even before menopause itself happens you will begin experiencing a lot of pre menopause symptoms. These can be physically, emotionally, and mentally upsetting. Just because something is natural does not mean it is always happy after all. Paying attention to any signs of pre menopause can help you deal with this change. Understanding them even before you go through them is likewise advantageous. When you are prepared, nothing will come as an upsetting surprise.
Pre menopause is also known as perimenopause. Contrary to popular belief, the symptoms to not just start right before you begin menopause. In fact, they can begin while you are in your late thirties. Generally, women are in their early forties when the signs of pre menopause start showing up seriously. Of all the signs, an irregular period is the kicker. Erratic menstruation is a particularly sure sign if your periods have always come like clockwork. So if your period suddenly starts coming early or if you begin menstruation after the date you would normally be due, pay close attention! Because irregular menses can be indicative of other problems - and because there are things which can be done to help you get through pre menopause - you should alert your doctor if this starts to happen.
The behavior of your period can prelude other symptoms. For instance, the "style" of your period may change as well. What that means is that you could start experiencing abnormally heavy or light flows. Very rarely will your period just stop happening but that is possible. Your doctor should be aware of this too.
Most women experience PMS the same way every month. Maybe they get irritable, maybe they get emotional. Whatever the case may be, you will likely start to notice changes in that area as well. The symptoms you feel during ovulation may change. This is understandable, of course, since ovulation is very closely related to menstruation. If one changes, it only stands to reason that the other will as well.
What is happening at this time is that your body is not making as much estrogen. Estrogen tells your body to produce and release other essential hormones. When there is not enough estrogen, those other hormones are not released. The most important of these are FSH and LH. When those levels go down, your menstrual cycle becomes erratic, ultimately slows, and inevitably stops altogether.
A lot of perimenopausal symptoms have nothing to do with the way you menstruate. They can be difficult to pinpoint if you are not aware that they can happen. Headaches are a common occurrence during premenopause, just as they are common during the time leading up to a girl's first period. It is not uncommon to be exhausted and fatigued but unable to sleep either. You may be sore, achy, and prone to joint and muscle pain. Irritability is practically requisite and mood swings are par for the course. The most common symptoms of pre menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, and a complete lack of interest in anything related to sex. You may gain weight, your breasts will likely be sore, and increased water retention is, again, just par for the course.
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