Despite gaining leaps and bounds in the area of women's health
education, our society is still relatively quiet about the journey of
menopause that affects every woman. You may expect some hot flashes and
slowed periods, but, if you are a woman, you need to know all the signs
of oncoming menopause. There are four signs of menopause that, when
occurring concurrently, suggest the coming of menopause:
1) Hot Flashes and Night Sweats:
Hot flashes and night sweats both occur because of the hormonal changes that your body undergoes during menopause. They are the most known and common sign of menopause. While you will know them right away when you experience them, here is what to expect:
• Night sweats occur in your sleep and usually leave you kicking off the covers and drenched with seat. Of course, you may only wake up when your night sweat is over and find yourself both wet with sweat and now fairly cold.
• Hot flashes hit you suddenly in your day and feel like intense heat radiating from within your body, similar to feeling feverish. You may also become flushed and experience sweating.
2) Period Irregularity:
Period irregularity is often the first indication that menopause is oncoming. If your regular period suddenly becomes irregular and you are in your mid to late forties, menopause is likely approaching.
3) Mood Changes:
The fluctuating hormones in your body can cause an onslaught of emotional highs and lows that might remind you of the ones you experienced if you were ever pregnant.
These mood changes can include:
4) Fatigue:
Not all women know that fatigue is also an accompanying sign of menopause. Expect and plan for lower energy levels.
If you are in your mid-forties or above and are experiencing period irregularity, mood changes, fatigue, and hot flashes; you are likely beginning the journey of menopause. Despite this, you should always check in with your well woman care provider when the process begins. Your OB/GYN or midwife can confirm your signs as the beginning of menopause. Checking with your OB/GYN is essential because sometimes what you think is a sign of menopause can actually be a symptom of an underlying health problem.
Hot flashes that don't occur with changes in a period, for example, can point to thyroid problems-- which are more prevalent in women of menopausal age. And if you are experiencing menopause symptoms before your mid-forties, you may be experiencing premature menopause, of which you should alert your health care provider so that you can consider treatment options.
1) Hot Flashes and Night Sweats:
Hot flashes and night sweats both occur because of the hormonal changes that your body undergoes during menopause. They are the most known and common sign of menopause. While you will know them right away when you experience them, here is what to expect:
• Night sweats occur in your sleep and usually leave you kicking off the covers and drenched with seat. Of course, you may only wake up when your night sweat is over and find yourself both wet with sweat and now fairly cold.
• Hot flashes hit you suddenly in your day and feel like intense heat radiating from within your body, similar to feeling feverish. You may also become flushed and experience sweating.
2) Period Irregularity:
Period irregularity is often the first indication that menopause is oncoming. If your regular period suddenly becomes irregular and you are in your mid to late forties, menopause is likely approaching.
3) Mood Changes:
The fluctuating hormones in your body can cause an onslaught of emotional highs and lows that might remind you of the ones you experienced if you were ever pregnant.
These mood changes can include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Low Sex Drive
- Mood swings
4) Fatigue:
Not all women know that fatigue is also an accompanying sign of menopause. Expect and plan for lower energy levels.
If you are in your mid-forties or above and are experiencing period irregularity, mood changes, fatigue, and hot flashes; you are likely beginning the journey of menopause. Despite this, you should always check in with your well woman care provider when the process begins. Your OB/GYN or midwife can confirm your signs as the beginning of menopause. Checking with your OB/GYN is essential because sometimes what you think is a sign of menopause can actually be a symptom of an underlying health problem.
Hot flashes that don't occur with changes in a period, for example, can point to thyroid problems-- which are more prevalent in women of menopausal age. And if you are experiencing menopause symptoms before your mid-forties, you may be experiencing premature menopause, of which you should alert your health care provider so that you can consider treatment options.
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