How to Know When Menopause Starts & Ends

Menopause is a condition in women that signifies the end of fertility. It is coupled with apprehension, although some women are thankful to be rid of the burden of menstruation. Menopause also signals changes in the way the body distributes and produces vitamins that aid in bone density and skin health. Menopause is complete once a woman has not had a period for 12 months.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A doctor

Going Through Menopause from Start to Finish

1. Experiencing irregular vaginal bleeding. Irregular vaginal bleeding can be anything from spotting, to heavy bleeding, to light or no bleeding. This can start up to 10 years before the full onset of menopause.

2. Experiencing night sweats and hot fashes. About 40 percent of women will experience hot flashes or night sweats. This condition causes a feeling of extreme h, eat to overcome women specifically the head and the chest and can cause flushing of the cheeks and sweating.

3. Drying of the vagina leading to itching, irritation, and pain during intercourse. Can also contribute to a rise in vaginal infections.

4. Thinning of the urethra lining leading to an increase in urinary tract infections. Women can also experience an urge to urinate more often and incontinence.

5. Experiencing memory problems, fatigue, irritability, and mood swings due to hormonal shifts.

6. Development wrinkles, adult acne, hair growth, and weight gain are some of the physical symptoms.

7. Experiencing 12 consecutive months without a period signals the end of the perimenopausal era and the full onset of menopause.

Tips & Warnings

• If you think you are experiencing perimenopausal symptoms consult your physician.
• Makes sure to take your vitamins and any perscriptions the doctor perscribes.
• If you are quite young menopausal symptoms could be indicative of cancers or tumors, seek the opinion of a physician.

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[pjhand88]

on 10/22/2008 When I was 50 I went 13 months without a period. I assumed I was completly through menopause. I was not. One day all of a sudden I felt a gigantic gush of something come out of me! I was shocked to see that I was bleeding profusely! This after 13 months of no period. I went to my OBGYN and he put me on hormones, but I kept bleeding even more. After 8 WEEKS of heavy bleeding I had an endometrial ablation. This was the solution to my problem. Since I had the procedure,four years ago, I have not had one drop of blood! So for the theory of "going 12 months without a period signifies you are through menopause" is not always true!