At what age do the symptoms of menopause actually begin? How long is the period of "pre-menopause"?

Question

And what are the symptoms of that?

Answer 1

It would be wonderful if there were clear cut answers to your questions.

What surprised me was to discover that a lot of ob-gyns don't know the signs of pre menopause. I ran frantically for blood pregnancy tests when my periods began to skip in my late 30's. Instead of ruling out pregnancy, the doc should have been doing blood tests to test levels of hormones and determine that I was beginning menopause.

Answer 2

That's the big question for all women. Some women are earlier than others.
I started in my early 40's with mood swings - anger, feeling unhappy. I took Don Quai for awhile and that helped lessen those symptoms.
I didn't really have any other symptoms until I was about 49/50 and the "tropical moments" started. But I didn't get those until my period started getting irregular. According to my doctor you are pre-menopause until you have been 12 months without a period & then you are menopausal (me now). Twice I went 10 months without a period. Unfortunately once the periods stop the hot flashes hit with a vengence. I am keeping mine under control with a product called New Fem. It is made from Black Cohosh a natural HRT.

Talk to your women friends & there are a load of books at the library. Learn to laugh about it & just accept what is happening to you. I don't like the wrinkles or the weight gain but my doctor gave me a great piece of advice. Get your weight down to what it should be & keep it there before you hit menopause. There is an automatic weight gain at menopause of 5-10 lbs. so if you can get ahead of the game and get used to the proper way of eating and exercising you should be able to avoid the problem. I will attest to the weight gain, I got careless and am in the process of trying to get a handle on it.

Oh - and if you ever get a chance to see the musical/play called "Menopause Out Loud". Go & see it. You will laugh yourself silly & it just reaffirms that you are not alone !!

Answer 3

Perimenopause is the term used to describe the period running up to the menopause and while it can start at any point it can be looked for from the end of the thirties. Most commonly it starts in the mid-40s.

The symptoms are very variable -- often described as wild mood swings, hot flashes, erratic periods (either more or less frequent than normal, heavier or lighter than normal), wild anger or rage etc. etc. What's happening is that the estrogen leves are dropping and fluctuating a bit as they do, leaving the woman exposed to unaccustomed levels of testosterone. So part of the time a woman who's mature in age has the hormones -- and much of the behaviour -- of a teenage boy. And usually gets just as little sympathy as the said teenage boy would get.

How long does it last? Typically five years, but sometimes up to 10 or even more.

Answer 4

We are all different @ 42 my doc through blood tests found out that i was in fact near then end of my menopause which was great surprise to me.
I did get some symptoms that's the reason i went in the first place, not sleeping weight gain hair growth, night sweats just little niggles really.
So there really is no set ans to your question, i am now 55 and feel wonderful.
Hugs x

Answer 5

It sometimes when you have a hysterectomy that you go into early menopause, fiber tumors on the uterus some times can or pain during sex can sometimes make you have partial hysterectomy. Memopause starts at around fifty and I think there is no age it all depends on the person physical health.