How to Manage Early Menopause Symptoms

Most women expect to experience menopause symptoms at some point during middle age, but very few anticipate experiencing early menopause symptoms. Early menopause symptoms can throw a kink into the lives of women who are not expecting to deal with such symptoms until much later.

Early menopause symptoms can occur as early as the mid-thirties, and often cause a variety of changes in a woman's health, reproduction, and emotional well-being. Early menopause symptoms can make women feel that they are aging much faster than they are, and that they are losing their femininity. Neither is true; every woman is different and early menopause symptoms happen to some women because of certain factors or simply because they do.

What Are Early Menopause Symptoms?

Early menopause symptoms are the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance that are experienced earlier than expected age. Most women begin to experience menopause symptoms around the late forties and early fifties; while many may notice the signs of early menopause symptoms in the mid-thirties.

Menopause symptoms affect the brain, the bones, the reproductive system, sleep patterns, and many other body processes. The average woman reaches menopause at age 51. However, this is just an average, everyone reaches different life stages at different times.

Common Early Menopause Symptoms

Many women do not even experience any menopausal symptoms, and only realize they have become menopausal when they begin to miss periods. However, women can experience a range of symptoms during menopause. These include:

• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Weight gain
• Brittle nails
• Memory loss
• Hair loss
• Mood swings

Menopause is a normal process a woman a goes through, and should not be seen as a disease, because that is not what it is. However, if the symptoms of menopause are lowering your quality of life or causing you to worry, it may be a good idea to go to your doctor and look into what treatments are available.

How to Treat Symptoms of Early Menopause

The most common medication for menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT works by increasing the levels of estrogen in your body. Decreasing estrogen levels are what causes most menopause symptoms. If you are going through early menopause, it may also be a good idea to take HRT in order to maintain long-term health benefits.

Other treatment options include lifestyle changes, herbal supplements, and acupuncture. Talk to your doctor to address your concerns in order to choose the best treatment for your symptoms.