Early Menopause – Signs and Symptoms

Did you know Menopause is called the Autumn Phase of Life? Similar to the season, menopause not only marks the end of the menstrual cycle but also denotes a period of transformation in a woman’s life. It symbolizes change. Now, we know change can be very intimidating, so it is completely natural for you to feel scared, confused and even the slightest bit relieved when menopause hits!

WHAT IS EARLY MENOPAUSE?

While the average menopause age in India is 46 years, one could start experiencing premenopausal symptoms as early as 40 years old! This happens due to a phenomenon called premature or early menopause.

CAUSES OF EARLY MENOPAUSE

Early menopause can be caused by a number of reasons, such as:

• Smoking
• Genetics
• Treatments like chemotherapy, surgical removal of the ovaries, etc.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EARLY MENOPAUSE

Essentially, the key difference between menopause and early menopause is the age at which it occurs. Your body will try to give you many telltale signs, so be sure to listen carefully! Here are some early menopause symptoms to look out for:

Irregular and heavy periods

Your periods will be nothing short of a rollercoaster ride! Changes in your menstrual cycle will be one of the early menopause signs that you will notice. It is due to the natural decline in the production of eggs by the ovaries that will make your periods more irregular and heavier than usual. Women who are going through menopause must try pads for heavy periods. RIO Heavy Duty Pads are engineered for heavy work. RIO Pads:

• Absorb heavy flow like a pro
• Come armed with side leak guards to prevent side leaks
• Have deep channels, so the blood doesn’t sit on the top layers of the pad
• Are 3X more absorbent than regular pads, making them the best sanitary pads for menopause you will find in the Indian market

Hot flashes

If you feel like you are in your own personal sauna on the hottest day of summer, chances are you may be experiencing hot flashes! An intense wave of warmth would spread across your upper body and may even cause your face and neck to feel flushed with heat. These flashes can lead to heavy sweating or red blotches and can last for anywhere between 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is one of the signs of early menopause. As the reproductive years come to an end, changes begin to take place within the vagina. Your lady parts lose their elasticity and feel drier than usual. To combat this, try using lubrication from time to time to keep friction at bay, especially during sexual intercourse.

Mood changes and irritability

Welcome to PMS 2.0! Early menopause brings about a lot of change in your body which could end up affecting your mental state and leave you feeling emotionally charged. As a result, you may experience extreme mood swings, irritability and mild forms of depression and anxiety.

Sleep disturbances

Sleepless in Seattle….and everywhere else, too, because trouble getting a goodnight’s sleep is especially common when you enter the early menopause territory. You may develop insomnia or experience difficulty falling back asleep due to intense night sweats.

Bladder problems

What if you were told to carry a balloon full of water everywhere you go without knowing when it would pop? Women, during the early menopause stage, undergo something very similar! They may experience an increase in the frequency and urge of urination. It is also common to develop urinary incontinence or end up with bladder infections like UTIs.

Low libido

With the hormonal changes taking place in your body, it is normal to have a low sex drive during these times. You may lose interest or develop new feelings towards sex. There is no right or wrong. Just have fun and remember to use protection!

If you have been noticing these signs of menopause in your body for a while now, be sure to make a visit to your OB-GYN to have a clear menopause diagnosis. They can also help you with menopause treatment, put you on the right supplements, and just guide you in the right direction on anything that you might want to know!

So, here you have it! We hope this will help you understand and identify the various signs and symptoms of early menopause with ease. Go forth and use this opportunity to be the best version of yourself!