Pre-Menopausal Symptoms

A study completed in the US suggests that there are a sizeable proportion of women who become depressed and irritated when they enter menopause. So research seems to support the conclusion that menopause and depression are well correlated.

Menopause usually occurs between the ages of forty to sixty when women release fewer eggs from their ovaries and periods will begin to cease and pregnancy becomes unlikely. This does not mean that a woman cannot be pregnant at this stage.

So back to menopause and depression. A woman is bound to become a little disheartened and miserable due to the sudden changes in the body. Researchers have found that during menopause, there is a decrease in estrogens which affects the brain to a certain extent and can lead some women to become anxious and depressed. Others believe that menopause and depression co-occur because of the other symptoms of menopause such as fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido etc.

So, the hormonal changes which occur during menopause can lead to depression. However, one must also realise that depression has many other causes. Menopause symptoms can have a different reason as well. So if you think that these problems or body changes are disturbing your quality of life, then you need to visit your physician to discuss your concerns. They will be best placed to offer the appropriate solution for them. Usually the reason why menopause and depression are frequently associated is more for psychological reasons rather than biological. Most women feel that the advent of menopause in their life has brought their old life and the feeling of youth to an end. This is a huge marker and a kind of pessimism sets in than can make you feel that you are getting closer to the end of the quality of life that you have been enjoying. Hence we see these psychological changes can wreck havoc in the life of women who may begin to doubt their self confidence and the overall outlook on life in general.

So, if you find yourself in the dilemma of going through menopause and depression at the same time, consult an expert, get things sorted out, as life is too short to regret and indulge your depression when you may not have to.

Perimenopause is usually the first phase of those dreaded menopause signs. That period in a woman’s life that signals the end of the menstrual cycle. Knowing what to expect is half the battle in facing the challenge of what may, or may not affect you. If you notice any of these early signs of perimenopause signs, don’t be alarmed, they are reported by many women who are about to go through the same as you.

So here are thirty possible menopause symptoms you may experience (but remember, this list is not exhaustive!)

 

 

1. Aching or sore joints; possible carpal tunnel syndrome
2. Anxiety
3. Breast tenderness
4. Burning tongue and/or roof of mouth; a bad taste in the mouth that just won’t go away; dry mouth; a change in breath odour
5. Changes in body odour
6. Difficulty in concentration, disorientation and confusion
7. Disturbed sleep and excessive fatigue
8. Disturbing memory lapses
9. Dizziness
10. Worsening of existing medical conditions
11. Excess fear, especially of death
12. Gastrointestinal distress in the form of indigestion; flatulence; gas pain; nausea
13. Baldness or thinning of hair; increased facial hair
14. Heavy depression; extremely low self-confidence
15. Hot or cold flashes; excessive sweating at night; a general feeling of clamminess
16. Increased allergies
17. Increased muscle tension
18. Increased or decreased headaches
19. Irregular periods
20. Itchy, crawly skin
21. Osteoporosis (after several years)
22. Partial or complete loss of libido and vaginal dryness
23. Periods of rapid heartbeat
24. Softer fingernails that crack or break more easily
25. Sudden bloating
26. Sudden feeling of electric shock under the skin and in the head
27. Sudden increase in weight
28. Sudden mood swings, possible depression and a tendency to cry at the drop of a hat
29. Urge for indulging in extremities
30. Urge incontinence, for instance: you cannot control your urge to urinate and leakage may occur; other forms of incontinence, especially upon sneezing or laughing

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It is perfectly safe to use herbs for menopause. Women who are going through menopause often have no idea how miserable this experience can be until it is affecting them. You may be a perfectly normal, rational, cheerful and upbeat person one minute and then turn into some totally irrational, anxious, nervous ogre the next. And that’s just the beginning…

You may have palpitations which is just one of the common premenopausal symptoms. This increases anxiety levels, irritability and headaches. Perhaps the worst of all is the profuse perspiration associated with the hot flashes. You may suffer many other symptoms although not every woman experiences all of these, just a few are enough to drive you crazy.

Many women do not want to try hormone replacement therapy because of the associated risks, so what do you do? Thankfully, there are a number of herbs for menopause that provide safe and effective menopause relief.

Many herbs have been used for years specifically for the relief of menopausal symptoms across the world. Here are a few of the best.

One of the best single herbs for menopause symptoms is Black Cohosh. Native Americans have used this plant extensively for many female complaints and specifically for premenopausal symptoms. This plant has a component which is a precursor for estrogen – your body uses this estrogen precursor to produce just the amounts of estrogen your body needs. Black Cohosh is also a very good remedy for hot flashes, anxiety and depression. Additionally, it can help combat rheumatic conditions; relieve muscle cramps and attendant pain. Some research also suggests it may help manage blood pressure and reduce cholesterol as well.

The dried fruit of the Agnus Castus tree has its main virtue in its hormone balancing qualities. These help relieve depressive conditions especially in menopause.

If hot flashes are a problem, in addition to Black Cohosh, you’ll want some Red Clover flowers in your cupboard. Brew a cup of red clover tea and drink three or four cups each day. Incidentally, red clover is also a treatment for ovarian cysts.

Angelica, also known in Traditional Chinese medicine as Dong Quai, is another one of the hormone balancing herbs for menopause. Angelica contains quantities of natural plant estrogens that can treat symptoms of reduced levels of estrogen.

The popular safe leaf that is found in most kitchens may be drunk as a tea to reduce sweating and hot flashes. Drink 3 or 4 cups daily. Use this herb liberally in your foods as well. If you’re bothered by the dreaded night sweats, sage is especially helpful in bringing you relief.

If you’re feeling anxious, St. John’s Wort, or Hypericum has a mild sedative effect and may also help with depression.

This list of herbs for menopause is not exhaustive. Consult a qualified herbalist or naturopathic doctor for a personalised recommendation.

What Is Menopause?

Perimenopause refers to the years before and after the final period of menopause. But to ask, what is menopause becomes a little more complicated. To be more specific, menopause is when periods become more irregular and the levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) have increased and lasts until one year after occurence of the last period. However, given the irratic nature of the menopause, hormonal changes differ between women as to when they start, finish and how intense they are. There is no clearly defined start or finish date but the menopause is officially dated one year after the last period.

During menopause, the ovaries do not produce progesterone and estrogens on a regular basis and fertility begins to wane. This can happen before 40, but happens more frequently in the mid to lates forties. Menopause signs may include some of the following:

A few of the symptoms of menopause onset;

Hot flushes
Tingling or itchy skin
Palpitations
Migraine
Vaginal atrophy
Mood changes
Depression
Insomnia
Fatigue
Memory problems
Incontinence
Fatique
Decreased libido

Apart from the basic biological changes, defining “what is menopause” can be difficult. The differences in observable menopause signs between women is not the only problem. As menopause comes at a time when a women is having to deal with ‘empty nest’ syndrome when children have left home, they are also likely to be caring for elderly relatives and/or the birth of grandchildren. Both these events come with a change in social status.

When ladies reach a ‘certain age’ all hell can break loose as they begin to wonder about premenopausal symptoms and whether they have them! If you could bottle up what premenopausal symptoms are, then no doubt you could easily sort out this complex problem endured by many, but not all women either suffer to the same extent, or have exactly the same symptoms. Just what age when pre-menopausal signs appear varies widely, as does how the body reacts to the onset of menopause signs.

The basic outcome of getting through the menopausal period is that you are no longer fertile and stop having periods. This right of passage is not always easy. If you are very lucky, your premenopausal symptoms will be a few hot sweats and a short temper for a year or two and you’ll be through it. I hope that will be you. However……. as mentioned, premenopausal symptoms vary greatly between individuals and you may suffer a few, many and occasionally pretty much all of the reported problems.

Typically, once you hit forty it’s something to watch out for. It’s almost as if life wants to give you a nudge to start looking after your body properly. Just when your life seems to be sorting itself out – the children are becoming self-sufficent, you’ve settled in your job, you can go out without worrying about baby-sitters and you are not always in the supermarket shopping for food! Hopefully, your money worries are easing and basically, you have much more time to do the things you want to do.

Your attitude towards premenopausal symptoms will play a big part in how you react to it. It’s probably not a surprise to know that if your approach is negative, then your experience will be far worse than a simple matter-of-fact and positive approach. One thing is certain, every woman will go through the menopause at some point, and in some way.

Understand your premenopausal symptoms will certainly help you deal with them.