Knowing the Signs of Menopause

Knowing the signs of menopause can help in terms of finding relief from the symptoms of this normal part of life for women. Menopause will occur, but with a little assistance you can help manage the symptoms and signs of menopause properly. This will help prepare yourself for some of the problems that can happen and can help in terms of finding treatment.

Perimenopause

The signs of Menopause are preceded by something called "perimenopause". Perimenopause is another phase of life, usually lasting several years, that serves as the essential "lead-up" to full-blown menopause. Like menopause, perimenopause is a natural occurrence and not something that requires a cure or a treatment. Perimenopause is usually introduced by signs and symptoms such as:

- Menstrual irregularity: you may experience shorter or longer cycles of your period, depending on the hormonal balance in your body. Heavier or lighter cycles than normal are also common.
- Aches and pains
- Migraines
- Decreased short-term memory
- Fluid retention
- Digestive problems
- Breast tenderness

Menopause

Full menopause begins are the lead-up stage, of course. Menopause is the final part of the menstruation process and is a natural part of life. Menopause is not a disease requiring treatment, but some of the signs of menopause may become unbearable and you may want to seek out solutions to help you deal with them more effectively.

Full menopause is considered by most experts to occur when you have not had your period for almost an entire year. It can be very difficult to differentiate the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, as there will likely be some overlap. One of the key facts about menopause is that the symptoms are not experienced by all women in the same way. As the body's internal chemistry changes, various symptoms are possible. Many of the common signs of menopause include:

- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Heart palpitations
- Decreased sex drive
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Psychological issues, such as depression or irritability

Post-Menopause

The final stage of menopause is post-menopause. As the body continues to go through cycles, your body's final menstrual cycles operate much the same way. The full cycle of menopause, including perimenopause and post-menopause, will have you watching out for signs of menopause for quite a long period of time.

A lot of women experience a feeling of general peace (and understandably so) when post-menopause arrives. The hormones have stopped flushing around and the body has calmed down somewhat. Gone is the fear of pregnancy or the symptoms of PMS or other annoyances. However, there are still signs of menopause to watch out for in the post-menopause stage. This signs include:

- Vaginal dryness and itching
- Bladder infection
- Urinary difficulties
- Stress incontinence (leaking urine due to laughing, sneezing or other sudden movements)

There are many different signs of menopause to watch out for. Remember that you may not experience all of any of these signs and that medication should be taken only when symptoms become unbearable or abnormal. Consult your doctor for more information on the signs of menopause and how you can help your body prepare for the final stage of menstruation.