Tuning in to your Menopause Signs

Menopause is a fact of life that all middle-aged women will experience in her own time and at her own level of intensity. If you are approaching the age when menopause signs will begin to rear their heads, it is best to be prepared for the signs and symptoms that are undoubtedly to come. There are a number of menopause signs that you can watch out for, and talk to your doctor about. Since many symptoms of menopause can also be symptoms of other conditions or illnesses, it is important to let your doctor know about the physical signs that you are experiencing so that he can rule out other possible causes.

Early Signs of Menopause

One of the first signs of menopause that you will probably experience is an irregular menstrual cycle. While this is generally a clear signal that menopause is approaching, it can make its presence in a variety of ways and within a varying time frame. Some women will see periods come closer together while others will experience fewer and farther between. A certain number of women will find that their periods are characterized by much heavier bleeding while others will experience a lighter flow than usual. Some will go for months between cycles, and others will find the monthly routine becomes much shorter in duration. While there is no "normal" course for the menstrual cycle to run in the early stages of menopause, most women will agree that an almost universal menopause sign is the unpredictability of the monthly cycle.

Another common sign that menopause is approaching is hot flashes. While some women will not experience this symptom until later in the menopause process - and some lucky souls may not encounter them at all - a percentage of women will actually begin to have hot flashes early in the menopausal process. Hot flashes occur when a warm sensation begins in the chest area and radiates throughout the body. An episode can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and may include sweating, flushing and even a racing heartbeat in some women. Hot flashes may or may not be accompanied by night sweats - the experience of waking in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, usually followed by chills.

Finally, mood swings, irritability, depression and an inability to concentrate have all been attributed to the hormonal changes that a woman undergoes during menopause. While the jury is still out as to whether this is a legitimate sign of menopause or simply a reaction to the stress and sleep deprivation that is common during this phase of life, emotional symptoms are a very real part of the menopause experience for many women. The good news is that there are a number of ways you can try to get a handle on your emotional health during this difficult time of life.

Menopause can be a trying time in a woman's life because it seems that many changes are affecting her body at once. It is important to tune in to your possible menopause signs, so that you can begin treatment for your symptoms as early into the process as possible.