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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Telltale Symptoms of Menopause

By Pat Lowe

Almost three quarters of women who are about to start the transition to menopause notice some kinds of symptoms. Menopause symptoms are a result of changing hormonal levels. This is in preparation for the shutdown of the female reproduction system. As hormone production decreases, most women will start to have symptoms even if their periods haven't stopped.

Somewhere between their late 30s and early 40s, many women will start to notice the first signs of menopause. This is the time when a woman's body cuts down on the production of progesterone and estrogen. Perimenopause is the name give to this phase of menopause.

Ovulation becomes sporadic because the ovaries stop releasing eggs. It's harder for a woman to become pregnant at this time because she becomes less fertile. As well, pregnancy during this time has more risk associated with it.

One of the early symptoms of menopause is an irregular period. The flow will be either considerably lighter or heavier than it has been historically.

Mood swings are also a sign of menopause. You might need to take antidepressant medication to relieve the problem.

Hot flashes are another common experience. This is a surge of heat throughout the body that appears without warning, frequently during the night. She'll start sweating profusely and her face will turn red.

Other symptoms of menopause include sleeping disorders and an increase in belly fat. Sleeping disorders can lead to depression and exhaustion and need to be monitored by a doctor.

The symptoms become more noticeable throughout the 40s. Some time soon after turning 50, the transition is over. Once a woman has made it through a full year without having a period, she has officially reached menopause. Fifty-one is the typical age when this happens.

Most women will experience symptoms through the entire process of menopause. Unfortunately, some women may suffer with them for the rest of their lives.

Menopause is a unique experience for each woman. There are those who are barely aware of the process. Others will have symptoms that disrupt their lives.

If you've noticed any of the symptoms of menopause, you should seek advice from your doctor. They will be able to give you advice on managing your menopausal symptoms. There are numerous ways to ease the symptoms, including pain relievers, lifestyle modification and hormone therapy.

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