All women will enter menopause at one point in their life. Some of these women have surgically-induced menopause after a hysterectomy and others will begin to show signs of menopause in their late 40s or early 50s. There is also another group of women who may show signs of menopause as early as their 20s. This group of women will be diagnosed with premature menopause. The main difference in symptoms between menopause and premature menopause is the age of onset. If you notice any of the following symptoms occurring in your 20s, 30s or even early 40s, you may be suffering from early menopause and should make an appointment with your gynecologist to discuss your options.
Instructions
1. Start tracking your menstrual cycles if you suspect that you may be entering menopause prematurely. One of the first symptoms of premature menopause is a change in your cycle. Changes may come in the form of frequency, length of your cycle and missing a period. By keeping track of your menstrual cycle on a calendar or in a notebook, you will be better able to see any patterns that may emerge.
2. Determine if you are experiencing hot flashes or night sweats. Women that are not in menopause may experience these on occasion however menopausal women will have hot flashes and/or night sweats much more frequently and at a more uncomfortable level.
3. Track your weight; menopausal women usually experience a weight gain with a disproportionate amount of weight gain occurring in the mid-section. If you are gaining weight and can’t track it to another cause, this may be a sign of premature menopause.
4. Create a sleep log. As women enter menopause, their sleep cycles are often affected and insomnia is not uncommon. Naturally, hot flashes or night sweats can create insomnia but hormone levels are also known to play a part in both a person’s quantity of sleep as well as her quality of sleep.
5. Keep an emotions log. Since menopause can wreak havoc on a woman’s hormone levels, her emotions can also be impacted at significant levels. Some emotions to keep an eye on are: irritability/agitation, mood swings, anxiety, problems with memory, fatigue and even confusion.
6. Contact your doctor if you notice that these symptoms are becoming consistent and you are in your early 40s or younger. These may be signs that you are getting premature menopause.
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