how do you tell if your entering menopause?

Answer 1

One does not "enter menopause". Menopause is a discrete event, and one that can only be recognized in retrospect. That means that once you have gone a full year with no periods and no spotting, you can look back and say that that was your menopause.

Perimenopause, however, is the process that leads up to menopause. The latter part of perimenopause is what we mistakenly call "going through menopause". But perimenopause itself starts in your 30's. It's the reason that fertility rates start to drop in your 30's.

Perimenopause, then, can last 15 - 20 years, or more. Latter in perimenopause, your cycle can become irregular and the character of your periods might change as well. That's perfectly normal. However, it's still possible to conceive during perimenopause, so if you don't want to conceive, you must still use some method or methods of birth control.

Neither menopause nor perimenopause is a disease, so I don't like to talk in terms of "symptoms". But the changes that I described above, as well as drier skin and hot flashes, can accompany perimenopause. Other things can also accompany these hormonal changes. But they are hormonal changes, so your family doctor can order blood tests to check your reproductive hormone levels.

I hope this helps to answer your questions. Don't forget, though, that you can and should discuss this with your family doctor (seeing a GYN simply isn't necessary unless you are having problems that your GP can't deal with) as part of your next routine visit.

Answer 2

The average age of menopause is 51 years old. But there is no way to predict when an individual woman will enter menopause. The age at which a woman starts having menstrual periods is also not related to the age of menopause onset. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but menopause may occur as earlier as the 30s or 40s or may not occur until a woman reaches her 60s. As a rough "rule of thumb," women tend to undergo menopause at an age similar to that of their mothers.

Perimenopause, often accompanied by irregularities in the menstrual cycle along with the typical symptoms of early menopause, can begin up to 10 years prior to the last menstrual period.

Some of the symptoms of menopause.....
Irregular vaginal bleeding
Hot flashes & night sweats
Emotional and cognitive symptoms
Vaginal symptoms
Urinary symptoms
Other physical changes

I got sharp stabbing pains all throughout my body, constant neck pains and I went bitchy as hell....which was highly unusual for me !

Answer 3

Menopause is just the cessation of the menstrual cycle. You will stop having your period and that will be accompanied by increase vaginal infections, atrophy of the vagina, breast, and uterus and finally intercourse will become uncomfortable. Hot flashes occur in some women because of the vasomotorization. Headaches are also common

Answer 4

irregular periods, they either come early or late or light or heavy, just out of wack.

when you aren't having your period, you get hot flashes, you know it when everyone is fine but you just feel so hot, but you could feel cold too.

mood swing, depression, weight gain, head ache and body ache. increase body hair, especially upper lips.

it's last for years, at least 3, some said 9 years.

to help, drink lots of soy milk and soy product. it's suppose to help.

Answer 5

Menstrual irregularities will usually indicate first.

I'm reading "What your doctor won't tell you about menopause." I highly recommend it.

Welcome to the club.