This article is brought to you by our guest author at www.hormones-beauty-health.com.   A great read for all of you women in permimenopause and menopause.  Visit their site for the latest and greatest information on hormones and your health.  Check out their newest e-book on this very subject…Thanks, Dr. Teri Dourmashkin

Medical standards describe the technical start of menopause as the point in time when a woman has missed menstrual periods continuously for one full year. On average, this occurs around the age of 51; however, many women suffer from menopausal symptoms long before this age. This can lead to much confusion and stress in women experiencing pre-menopause. So how do we determine what the signs of menopause are? What are the classic menopause symptoms and when should you be concerned.

Irregular Periods: The clinical definition of an irregular period is a menstrual cycle that is irregular for you based on your history. We all at one point in time experience irregular menstrual cycles due to stress and other external factors. Therefore, one irregular menstrual cycle in context, is usually just an anomaly. Common irregularities to look for in terms of the onset of menopause include; having a period only one to four times in a 12-month period, having periods two to three times in one month and extremely heavy bleeding occurring every two to three months.

Decreased Fertility: A slightly harder sign to self diagnose. One of the more well known signs of menopause is a decrease in fertility.

Vaginal Dryness: For women in long term, committed relationships, this is an easier sign to identify. Although this affliction can occur at any age, it is also a common sign of menopause. Caused by hormonal changes, symptoms include itching and stinging around the vaginal opening and lower third of the vagina which can make intercourse uncomfortable.

Hot Flashes: Hot flashes, or night sweats if they occur at night, are also caused by the hormonal changes that occur during menopause.  Hot flashes are feelings of intense heat or sweating that come on rapidly and last for two to thirty minutes. Reddening of the facial skin is often present with the skin at times even being hot to the touch. These episodes can happen several times a day or a few times a week. They will occur more frequently and may increase in intensity the closer you are to the official start of menopause.

Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia is the most common compliant occurring in over 50% of surveyed menopausal women. Others may develop sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and snoring.

Mood Swings: Women of all ages at one time or another have suffered from heighten moods and even unpredictable mood changes. However, the menopausal woman will often suffer from mood swings that even she cannot explain. The underlying hormonal changes heighten and intensify normal mood patterns causing intense extremes or mood swings.

Increased Abdominal Fat: As if menopausal women don’t have enough to worry about or cope with, as your body takes this journey it also changes how it stores fat. As you enter menopause you may notice changes in your physique that include an increase in abdominal fat.

Thinning Hair: Hair loss that occurs during menopause is quite common.  It will vary from slight hair loss to dramatic hair loss that causes bald spots. Hair loss caused by change of life is different from that caused by aging and genetics. Serious cases are usually treatable and possibly reversible.

So, once you understand the signs of menopause, what do you do with this information and when should you seek medical help? It is important to see your doctor annually for your yearly check-up. As you approach that magic number one associates with menopause, pay attention to your body and document when you see any of the above changes. Discuss them with your doctor as well as the options you may choose to manage these and other symptoms brought about by the hormonal changes that cause menopause.

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