There are several different kinds of menopause symptoms that affect women. It is good to learn about them as soon as possible, since the symptoms could show up ten years before menopause begins in earnest. This will help you recognize what is happening in your body and let you know what to expect. You can then examine your options for treating the symptoms.

Menopause can start at any time between forty and sixty years of age. Some women can even start to feel the oncoming effects in their thirties. Usually this is qualified as pre-menopause.

A common mistake about menopause is thinking that its main event is the period ending. This, just like hot flashes and mood swings, is just another symptom of the bigger cause. Menopause is really when a woman's ovaries stop releasing the same high level of estrogen. Eggs do not get released any more and periods then end when they have had the full effect of lowered estrogen levels. It also explains why other symptoms happen as they do.

One may notice irregular periods. They could be more frequent or less frequent, heavier or lighter. The change of hormones will throw your whole monthly system into flux until it eventually dwindles and stops. This may also result in constant cramping, all-month-long premenstrual syndrome, breast sensitivity, or mood swings. Changes should be talked over with your doctor to ensure it is not something more serious.

Since menopause most directly influences the reproductive system, it is a logical step for changes to occur in libido. Most women will suffer through a decreased sexual drive. There are other problems that can be experiences, like vaginal dryness or itching.

Less estrogen in the system will affect physical appearance. Many women experience hair growth in new areas, like the chin and upper lip. Skin can become rougher and hair can become more brittle. It is important to take proper care of these changing elements through conditioners, vitamins, and lotions. This will help prevent against lowered self-confidence.

Hot flashes are often the thing women look forward to the least, and for good reason. Your body undergoes many complicated processes to try to regulate internal conditions. One of these processes involves your body temperature quickly soaring at any given time. It leaves women weak and sweaty, just as though they suffered from a fever. When it is over, women often feel cold. Medication is available to stop hot flashes.

Keep in mind that this strain is perfectly normal. It is probably the reason for a woman's increased headache rate and may also be responsible for many other aches and pains as well. Reports show much higher numbers for muscle and joint pain and migraines as your body tries to cope with everything. Even the frequent need to urinate can be blamed on menopause, but talk to your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms to ensure that they are menopause-related.

Depression may be the longest and most damaging of symptoms. The hormone changes could spark a chemical imbalance. The other common reason for depression is because women tend to have negative views around menopause. Many believe it has made them less of a woman or old. Other symptoms certainly do not do anything to ease depression. Since so many women have trouble sleeping due to menopause, it can make depression much worse. This is added to being sore and uncomfortable, having hot flashes, and no sex drive. Therapy has been known to do wonders for women, in addition to herbal supplements.