How to Determine If Symptoms Are Early Menopause

As the hormone levels change, the body will begin to adapt to those changes, much the way it reacted to the hormonal changes during puberty. In fact, many people look at menopause as puberty in reverse. Just as raging hormones were often faulted for behaviors during a girl's teenage years, the same hormone changes can be blamed for many physical and emotional changes in adult women as well.

During early menopause, changes in the production of hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone will begin to decrease. The result will cause different symptoms in different women. The average age for menopause is 51 with starting times varying from 45 to 55 years of age. The not so subtle signs of early menopause has been seen in women as young as 35 as their ovaries begin to cease operations.

Unfortunately, many medical providers do not fully understand how the hormones function together and how their combined effort controls many of the usually normal functions. For example, one of the signs of early menopause is loss of libido as well as vaginal dryness, which can also result in itchiness and pain when having sex. Sleep disorder and irregular periods can also result from early menopause. Unfortunately, many women who have not reached the typical age of menopause are misdiagnosed and are prescribed medications and in some instances surgeries they do not need.

Natural menopause will occur in every woman, yet there are some causes of early menopause such as surgery, illness and genetics. These can cause menopause to become real, even while the ovaries are still functioning properly. However, any attending physician will be well aware of these issues and can help with relief from many of the symptoms.

While some women will suffer only subtle changes in their bodily functions during early menopause, others will experience symptoms quickly. The rate depends on how fast their body ceases to produce to hormones they are used to living with. As the changes become more obvious, typically the symptoms will also become more intense. Understanding the symptoms of beginning the change of life will help a woman better communicate with the doctor about their suspicions.

Unfortunately, many doctors overlook the onset of early menopause. Even those doctors who recognize it may simply prescribe synthetic hormones to take the edge off the moodiness or to try to slow hair loss. More women are recognizing the need to find natural remedies for menopause. If it is starting early, they and their doctors may not recognize symptoms for what they are and prescribe medications or procedures that are not going to address the problem.