The Early Signs of Menopause are Referred to as Pre or Peri-Menopause Symptoms

The early symptoms and signs of menopause appear when the primary hormones, estrogen and progesterone, begin decreasing in your body

Most women begin menopause from the ages of forty-seven to fifty-two, that is pre or peri-menopause, where some of the symptoms are experienced but they are still menstruating. With "early menopause" (aka premature menopause), though, a woman's ovaries may stop functioning at twenty, thirty, or forty years of age.

As the ovaries produce less and less of the levels of the hormones mentioned above you may begin to experience some of these symptoms

• Night sweats (common)
• Hot flashes (common)
• Hair Loss
• Difficulties sleeping, insomnia (common)
• Weight gain
• Fatigue and a loss of energy
• And others

While you may experience a few of these, the first sign you will likely notice, however, is a change in your normal monthly cycle.

For some, the monthly period will cease immediately and never return. For others, though, over a period of time, they will notice either a lighter flow and a shorter length of time, or possibly even a heavier, erratic and irregular, monthly period.

The pre or peri-menopause phase can last from two to six years, where some or many of the symptoms are experienced but they are still menstruating., but once the menstrual cycle stops completely, the woman is considered to be going through menopause.

If you have started a few of these signs and symptoms and think that you may be starting the pre-menopause phase, there are things you can do to figure out if you are actually undergoing this major life change.

1. See your doctor and have a pap smear preformed. This determines if there is a change in your vaginal lining, as the vaginal lining thins with the onset of menopause as your estrogen levels begin to decrease.
2. Have a bone density test done at the same time, as osteoporosis is a common condition that occurs with menopause.
3. Take a menopause test that you can purchase your local drug store. These are similar to home pregnancy tests.

As there are health related issues, not just the problematic symptoms, that come with menopause, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, the sooner that you have it diagnosed, the sooner you can begin treatment if needed.

While some women do very well with menopause. Many women do need some form of treatment for the symptoms and health issues related to menopause. Make sure that you discuss treatment options and side effects with your doctor.