According to The National Library of Medicine, 51 is the median age at which American women undergo menopause. However, it can happen anywhere between the ages of 45 and 55. Some people even become menopausal before the age of 40. Let’s look at 10 of the possible symptoms that could show that it’s happening to you.
10 Early Signs Of Menopause
1. Changes In Your Menstrual Cycle
One of the first signs of approaching menopause is changes in your cycle. These changes can vary from one person to the other but can include heavier bleeding, lighter bleeding, more frequent periods, or less frequent periods. Of course, other conditions can affect your cycle so see your doctor if you have no other symptoms of menopause.
2. Anxiety
Hormonal changes can result in an imbalance that makes you more anxious than usual. Some people also experience depression or start to cycle through both.
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3. Mood Changes
Sometimes, people who are entering menopause deal with unexplained irritability. You may be irritable for long periods or have sudden changes in mood throughout the day. Many people also experience reduced interest in sex with their partners.
4. Insomnia
If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you may be in the early stages of menopause. Though problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression can affect how well you sleep, it’s worth noting if your insomnia is new.
5. Weight Gain
Changes in your estrogen level can also affect your metabolic rate. As a result, you may find that you’re gaining weight without any adjustments to your diet or exercise routine. Generally, people in menopause need to consume fewer calories to maintain their weight.
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6. Night Sweats
Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and chills are known characteristics of menopause. However, before you get to that stage, you might start experiencing night sweats. Unfortunately, they’re likely to get worse when hot flashes start. Since they can interfere with how well you sleep, it’s important to find ways to keep cool at night.
7. Thinning Hair
Your hormonal balance doesn’t only influence menstrual cycles. It can also affect your hair. As the amount of estrogen in your body drops, you might find that your hair starts to fall out or lose its body. It’s best to be gentle with your hair if this is happening. Seeking treatment for menopause might also help.
8. Headaches
There’s a lot that doctors still don’t know about headaches and migraines. However, many people who are entering menopause complain of more frequent headaches or worsening migraine pain. It’s critical to note, though, that changes in your headaches can be caused by other conditions so it’s worth discussing with your doctor.
9. Tinnitus
You may know tinnitus as having ringing in the ears but the sounds can also include humming, buzzing, whistling, and hissing. Some people hear music or singing. While the condition can resolve on its own, you might need to see your doctor if it gets worse or is accompanied by hearing loss.
10. Brain Fog
This is one of the common symptoms of the early stage of menopause. Unfortunately, many people attribute their inability to concentrate on stressful situations, being overwhelmed, or not getting enough sleep. It usually isn’t until they have other signs that they realize the true cause of their brain fog.
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What Causes Menopause?
Generally, menopause is caused by the natural decline of estrogen in the blood. Though your body can start producing less estrogen from as early as 30, there are other issues that can lead to early or premature menopause. Some of these issues include chemotherapy, radiation, a hysterectomy, and chromosomal abnormalities. You’re also more likely to go into menopause earlier if you started menstruating before the age of 11 or if your mother went through early menopause.
When To See A Doctor
For some people, menopause symptoms don’t last very long or they’re completely manageable. Others have severe symptoms that disrupt their lives. Menopause can also be difficult to deal with if it happens prematurely. As such, it’s best to talk to your doctor about possible treatment options. Treatments can include hormone therapy, estrogen therapy, or certain non-hormonal medicines that ease the symptoms of menopause.
Menopause can happen naturally as early as 40. There are conditions, however, under which you can enter premature menopause. Regardless of your age or the cause, it’s important to know when it’s happening and when you might need to get a doctor involved.
