Menopause-every woman will naturally experience this stage in their life but many women do not know what the warning signs are or even what to expect once they have started to go through it. If you don’t know the warning signs of menopause it may cause problems since the symptoms of full menopause can be severe and sometimes traumatic to women who are unprepared.

Every woman has a menstrual cycle which causes mental and physical changes throughout the month. You may be someone who is severely affected by their menstrual cycle or one who breezes through largely unaffected. The cycle’s different stages are designed to prepare a woman so that she can become pregnant and carry a healthy child. But at some point, this cycle starts to break down. This is because women are reaching the end of their reproductive life and are entering a new stage in their life. There are so many changes that the body goes through leading up to menopause that it is not surprising it can affect women so deeply.

There are two stages to menopause: perimenopause, and full menopause. Warning signs can often be seen in perimenopause and the full range of symptoms may not be experienced until a woman has entered full menopause. Menopause occurs when a woman ceases producing eggs and undergoes hormonal changes that affect everything from her internal temperature to her mood and even the strength of her bones. Because hormones are critical for the health of many physical systems, a woman who is nearing the age when menopause may begin should look for the following warning signs so that she can begin to take steps to protect her body and her health down the road.

The first warning signs of menopause may be irregular periods. These warning signs may be difficult to recognize since many women may have had irregular menstrual periods during the height of their reproductive years. If you are older and you have been regular for years then suddenly experience menstrual irregularity, it can be one of the warning signs you are nearing menopause. If it has been twelve months since you have experienced a period, you can be considered to be in menopause.

Another of the menopause warning signs is hot flashes. These are usually caused by hormonal changes that are a common sign that menopause is approaching. Are you suddenly finding that you are boiling hot in the middle of winter? This can be one of the warning signs of menopause. Comedians may make jokes about getting the air conditioner running in the winter to deal with hot flashes, but this is actually one of the most uncomfortable menopause warning signs. Hot flashes can cause a woman to become acutely uncomfortable no matter where she is or what time of the day it is. This is one of the warning signs that can strike without warning and may make a woman afraid to leave the house or take part in social interaction lest a hot flash hit her when she is out and about.

The last of the three menopause warning signs is anxiety. A woman who is experiencing anxiety related menopause warning signs can find that her heart will race and she may also feel heart palpitations, excess perspiration and chest pains. This is one of the more serious warning signs since they can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack and may cause women who know they are entering menopause to avoid seeking medical help.

If you are experiencing any of the warning signs listed above, there is a good chance that you are entering menopause. There are medical tests which can monitor your hormone levels and medications which can lessen the severity of the symptoms you are experiencing. Consult your doctor for the best course of treatment for your needs.

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