Table of contents:
- Before menopause, women enter perimenopause first
- What are the early symptoms of menopause?
- Other symptoms that appear closer to menopause
Every adult woman will eventually go through menopause. Menopause is initially characterized by the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. Then, what are the signs and symptoms of early menopause?
Before menopause, women enter perimenopause first
Actually, before the initial symptoms of menopause appear, a woman will experience the perimenopause phase first. Perimenopause is a period of transition from a normal menstrual cycle to no menstruation at all.
Perimenopause is characterized by a decrease in the production of the hormone estrogen starting in the mid-30s to 40 years. When you enter the perimenopause phase, your menstrual cycle becomes irregular.
The perimenopause phase usually lasts for about 4 years, but some women have only a few months or even up to 10 years.
Reported on the Healthline page, the initial symptoms of a woman experiencing perimenopause are generally the same as the early symptoms of menopause. However, the severity can be different.
What are the early symptoms of menopause?
Each woman's menopause process is unique and varied. However, the most common early symptoms that appear before menopause are:
- Menstruation less frequently (more and more irregular).
- The blood that comes out during menstruation may be less or much more than usual.
- Easy to overheat (hot flashes).
- Easy night sweats.
Usually women begin to experience menopause at the age of 45-55 years. However, there are several things that can trigger menopause to occur more quickly, such as a history of cancer and a lifestyle that includes smoking, stress, and diet.
Other symptoms that appear closer to menopause
Other symptoms that will generally appear shortly before menopause are:
- Insomnia
- Dry vagina
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- It's more difficult to concentrate
- Memory drop problem
- Decreased desire to have sex
- Dry skin, mouth and eyes
- Increased amount of urine
- Headache
- Faster heart rate
- Feeling pain or stiffness in the joints
- Breasts don't feel as tight as before
- Decreased bone mass
- Decreased muscle mass
- More and more hair loss
- Bedwetting when coughing or sneezing (urinary incontinence)
Menopause generally does not require specific treatment. Getting enough rest, maintaining a diet, exercising, and perhaps taking pain medication can help relieve symptoms.
However, if you feel that the symptoms of menopause that appear are so alarming that they inhibit activity, you should consult a doctor to find a more suitable cause and treatment.
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