Health Tips

Most women think that menopause doesn’t occur until a woman is in her late forties or early to mid fifties. However, many women and I begin to experience menopause or early menopause symptoms before the age of forty. We mistakenly think we’re too young to begin menopause. So we don’t associate the symptoms we’re experiencing are due to early menopause symptoms.

Early menopause symptoms are basically the same as symptoms associated with natural menopause. However, women who experience symptoms of menopause at an early age should consult with a doctor to ensure that the symptoms are actually early menopause symptoms, and not symptoms of something more serious. You should also note that scientists believe that women who experience early menopause tend to feel the symptoms of menopause more intensely than women who experience natural menopause later in life.

The common physical early menopause symptoms are: hot flashes, night sweats, aches and pains, crawling or itching sensations under the skin, headaches, vaginal dryness, increased frequency in urination, tiredness and fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. Hot flashes and night sweats are reported to be the most common, and most uncomfortable and bothersome, of all physical symptoms by most women.

Mental and emotional symptoms of early menopause are also common, and include: reduced sex drive, irritability, depression, lack of self esteem, and forgetfulness. Many women who experience early menopause symptoms describe the mental and emotion impact as long-term premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women who don’t realize that these are early menopause symptoms begin to think that they are having serious mental issues, which only makes the symptoms worse. Often, just visiting your doctor, and finding out that you’re experiencing early menopause symptoms can relieve the mental and emotional symptoms all together.

You can reduce early menopause symptoms by eating a healthy diet, which includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, whole grains, low fat dairy foods that are high in calcium, lean meat, fish, and chicken, and 6 – 8 glasses of water daily. You should decrease the intake of caffeine and alcohol. You should also look for foods that contain phytoestrogens, which are found in soy beans, tofu, whole grains, and legumes. Phytoestrogens replace some of the natural oestrogen which is lost during menopause, and may help reduce early menopause symptoms.

The onset of early menopause symptoms is also an indication for you to start exercising more regularly, if you do not already do so. Exercise will help keep your heart healthy. Exercises, such as walking, will help strengthen your bones. If you smoke, experiencing early menopause symptoms is a good reason to quit. Since menopause can increase the risks of osteoporosis and heart attack, smoking only makes those risks greater. If you’re experiencing early menopause symptoms. It’s important that you speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

Just as the symptoms of natural menopause can last for several years, early menopause symptoms can also last for a long period of time. Talk with your doctor to find out what your options are for relieving early menopause symptoms.