early menopause symptoms

The symptoms of perimenopause ,early menopause symptoms, may be hot flashes, irregular menstrual cycles, heavier or lighter bleeding during periods, interrupted sleep, mood swings and depression, short-term memory loss, unexplained fatigue, and vaginal dryness. Although menopause is a natural part of growing older, many women find their symptoms can interfere with their daily lives. These symptoms can be managed in consultation with your doctor. If you are concerned about the symptoms of menopause talk to your doctor about treatment.

Untreated menopause is known to cause the loss of bone calcium resulting in osteoporosis (brittle bones), increases in blood pressure, and changes in your blood vessel walls with increased risk of heart disease. Other effects such as emotional loss of well being, depression, incontinence and reduced sex drive can occur another of early menopause symptoms

During the stages of perimenopause, changes take place in the balance of hormones that regulate and control your monthly menstrual cycle (period). This slow "change" in ovary function can happen between 2 to 10 years before your final menstrual cycle. As a woman grows older and passes out of the childbearing stage of life, her ovaries gradually make less of the hormone estrogen, while another hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) increases. FSH normally regulates the growth and development of an egg. The brain directs the body to increase production of FSH so an egg can mature. Once this part of the monthly cycle is complete, FSH production is stopped and it returns to normal. As the body ages, it produces less estrogen and more FSH. In other words, low estrogen levels are associated with high FSH levels. Over time these hormone changes cause your menstrual periods to stop completely. This permanent stopping of menstrual periods for 12 months is called "Menopause". Until the final menopause consisting of 12 months without a period, a woman is considered to be in perimenopause or pre-menopause, while a woman who has been 12 months without a period is considered "Post-menopausal".  Until the final menopause consisting of 12 months without a period, a woman can still get pregnant even though the chances are diminished.