There's More to Menopause Than Hot Flashes

Lately you've been feeling angry, confused, out of focus and very anxious. You're attributing this to the economy, or your job, or your kids. Sometimes you feel totally out of control. And now, no matter what you do or what you try, you just can't seem to pull yourself out of it. And you're are getting scared. Menopause might have come into your mind for a moment. But you aren't having hot flashes or getting night sweats. Or maybe you think you are just too young. So you dismissed that as a possibility. After all, isn't that what menopause is? And wouldn't you have those symptoms if you were menopausal? Not necessarily!

While most women experience menopause in their mid to late 40's, some women start much earlier. And many feel if they are not having hot flashed they are not menopausal. But every woman experiences menopause her own way and the symptoms may be very different for each person.

So here are some other symptoms that you may not attribute to menopause which you might not know.

Your memory is getting "fuzzy." You seem to forget little things that you never would have in the past. You are making jokes about having Alzheimer's or a senior moment. But actually you are concerned. You can't remember where you put things. Sometimes you leave the house and can't remember where you were going. You may have missed appointments. Friends and family may have commented on how "ditzzy" you seem and laugh. But you aren't laughing. You are concerned.

You are having mood swings - maybe really bad mood swings. You have no patients for your kids and every task you used to do now seems like a chore. You are crying for no reason. All of a sudden you just feel angry. You are yelling at everyone. Nothing makes you happy. Often you don't think you feel anything. Maybe you're depressed. But you can't seem to get motivated to do anything about it. This just isn't like you.

You're getting headaches and heart palpitations. Maybe migraines. Your joints hurt. Your hair is getting thinner - or falling out. Your skin is dry. Your eyes may even feel drier. Your weight has changed - up or down - and you don't know why. All these changes all of a sudden! Your imagination is full of possibilities. You're afraid it might be really serious and that fear is keeping you from going to the doctor to find out.

And the thought of sex is a real downer! Your relationship is definitely suffering.

All of that could be menopause.

So it may not be that your teenage kids are getting more difficult. Or your husband less attentive. Or your boss more demanding. Have a chat with your gynecologist. He could turn into a magician and make all those concerns will disappear.