If you have taken the advice to understand menopause and it's symptoms then you'll have a good idea about what the signs of menopause are. The problem is, most women will turn their noses up at the mention of the "M" word during a conversation and want to talk about something a little more pleasant.

It's a phenomenon known as "menopause deflection" because many people have decided the subject should only relate to older women. In other words, it's a sign they're getting old and they are not ready to discuss it.

The issue here is when menopause finally arrives, they are simply not ready for it and the area it affects them most is mentally. The truth is, menopause is not about feeling old; there is always a right time to discuss it because the better prepared for it you are then the better you'll be able to cope with it when it "comes a knocking at your door."

So what are the symptoms of menopause? Well, they are numerous. One of the issues with the symptoms of menopause is that sometimes you may get a "false start." That is, thyroid issues could be at play and these can mask themselves giving a woman a false impression that menopause may be at play.

You should always go and see your doctor at the first sign of menopause or what you think maybe menopause and have it either confirmed or denied.

10 Signs Of Menopause

In this article, we will list ten of the more common symptoms of menopause. There are definitely more than ten but the reality is, most women will only ever experience some of the symptoms on the list.

Some experience symptoms others don't but there are at least a dozen or so signs which most women can identify with. Let's take a look at some of the signs.

1. Hot flashes is always at the top of the list. It's a condition all on it's own and there wouldn't be too many women experiencing menopause who have experienced hot flashes.

2. Night sweats like hot flashes are very common and extremely uncomfortable. In fact, other signs of menopause can be directly related to both hot flashes and night sweats.

3. One of these is irritability. Lack of sleep due to the above symptoms will leave a woman feeling tired the next day and the result of this is feeling irritated.

4. Lack of sleep makes the top four and is a direct result hot flashes or night sweats.

5. Mood swings is another "biggie." Again, it can be as a result of the above symptoms.

6. Irregular periods is another one of the more common symptoms. In fact, it probably should be higher up the list and if your periods have been irregular for any length of time don't ignore them, see your doctor.

7. Emotional stress such as breaking into tears for seemingly no reason at all or feeling depressed or getting feelings of apprehension or serious self doubt.

8. Lack of libido. This doesn't really need to be explained.

9. Lack of energy. Fatigue is another major symptom and one of the more common symptoms of menopause and again, can be directly related to some of the above symptoms.

10. Dry vagina is another common symptom of menopause.

If you’re a male in your forties and suspect something may be up with your body then have you considered menopause as a cause. Please don’t delete this article and take it as an insult because the simple truth is, male menopause is something you should learn a little more about.

The issue of andropause is a hotly debated one but the evidence is strong that men also suffer the same menopausal-like symptoms that women do. The only difference is, while menopause signals the end of the reproductive stage of a woman's life, in men, this is not the case.

Male Menopause Debate

This is where the issue of whether men suffer male menopause comes into play. Many believe because a doesn’t completely shut off his ability to produce sperm then it shouldn’t be called menopause.

So should men and menopause be used in the same sentence? The fact remains, men can produce sperm well into their seventies and eighties and this is where the debate rages.

The problem in identifying andropause is there is no defined period that a man can experience it. Apart from some isolated instances of women going through it at a much younger age, the general awareness stage starts in their forties.

What Is Andropause?

The term Andropause is a little controversial in some circles for the same reasons mentioned above. So what is Andropause? Well, it's associated with the decline in a man's testosterone levels. This is usually as a result of aging and men have reported many symptoms associated with menopause such as:

- sexual issues
- fatigue
- depression
- mood swings

While a woman’s ovaries shut down the man’s testes don’t and can “churn out” sperm well into his 70’s. The similarity is, men can also experience testosterone decline at about the same time women begin the reproduction shut down.

Male Menopause Treatment

So how do you know if male menopause may be affecting you? Your doctor will need to test your testosterone levels and will more than likely call for blood tests.

Many men would even be unaware that male menopause could be at play in their lives and unless the topic is brought up by their spouse, friends or even their doctor, they are probably reluctant to even consider it. So don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor about it.

Treatment may include testosterone replacement therapy however, as is the case with hormone replacement therapy for women, there are side effects possible so discuss these with your doctor. One of the more likely ways to combat andropause is making lifestyle changes.

Are you experiencing pre-menopause or are the symptoms you're going through actually thyroid related? This is a dilemma which many women will face and distinguishing between the two is not easy.

The term thyroid and menopause is often used today simply because thyroid issues can mimic the symptoms of menopause causing further confusion for women who simply want to know what it is they are going through.

In this article, we'll take a look at the overlapping issues between the two and help you define the cause of your symptoms.

Thyroid Menopause

When the thyroid is working at minimum capacity weight gain can often be associated with this this. In complete contrast, when it is working overtime, the effects will usually mean a person gains no weight at all despite "eating like a horse."

Weight gain during menopause is common because the thyroid can malfunction for want of a better term. The problem lies in the pre-menopausal stage where weight gain symptoms are similar in nature to thyroid issues.

Many women continue to gain weight despite treatment for pre-menopausal symptoms and this is when they need to consider the thyroid.

Speak to your doctor about this who can perform tests to determine if the issue is actually being caused by an under-performing thyroid. It could be you are experiencing thyroid and menopause.

Symptoms such as mood swings, sleep problems and skin changes are common for both pre-menopause and a malfunctioning thyroid. So how do you tell which is which.

Well, your doctor is always your best option but the message we're trying to get across is to never dismiss the latter if treatment is having little effect on the symptoms.

Distinguishing Between The Two

There are fortunately a few ways to separate the two from one another.

Women who have thyroid problems will experience edema of legs and arms, neck pain, loss eye brows and lashes, extreme weight gain (which should actually clinch the recognition). These are some of the symptoms that are definitely not replicated in menopause.

The existence of even one of the above described symptoms should immediately make you rush to the medical practitioner for a thyroid test.

Actually the thyroid problems is highly aggravated by the onset of menopause and hence it is imperative to first check it before proceeding in treating the symptoms of the pre-menopausal stage.

The thyroid and menopause is actually much more dreadful when coupled with menopause than when encountered on it's own.

This is because the thyroid is a hormone producing gland itself and the imbalance of hormones that is created by the ovaries shut down creates havoc in the signals that the malfunctioning thyroid glands reads and interprets. This is why efforts should be first made to treat the thyroid first.

Education about menopause should be high on a woman’s agenda if for the simple reason she’ll know what to expect when it arrives in her life.

Lack of education could be cited as one of the major reasons why many women fail to cope with it and while knowing what to expect won’t ease the symptoms any, it will at least prepare the mind and it’s the mental stress which can be the biggest bug bear for most women.

So when should you spend a little time learning about menopause and it’s symptoms? Well, there is no designated time; even a woman in her twenties should discard any notion that menopause means old age and at least become familiar with it’s symptoms. Believe me, it will be beneficial when the big “M” visits your life in later years.

What Is Menopause

When experiencing pre menopause symptoms keep in mind that these are simply the lead up process to full menopause.

Menopause basically means a women stops her menses or menstrual flow. It's a time of change and while the symptoms associated with it can be uncomfortable, research indicates women who embrace this as a new beginning in their lives tend to have a better mental disposition and thus, handle it much better.

Symptoms Of Pre Menopause

Nature is amazing in many respects and pre menopause symptoms are simply a way of easing a woman into full menopause. You've got to understand that if a woman went from normal straight to menopause in one fell swoop then there is every likelihood she could end up in a mental institution.

Pre menopause symptoms are the body's way of easing a woman into menopause and the change is usually a slow one. Let's take a look at some of the symptoms of peri menopause. It's also important to understand that just because you are experiencing these symptoms it doesn't always mean they are menopause-related.

See your doctor because they may well be associated with other conditions of a more sinister nature. Here are some symptoms to take note of:

- irregular periods
- hot flashes
- mood swings
- migraine headaches
- weight gain despite the fact you follow a sensible diet and exercise regularly
- night sweats
- insomnia
- joints which ache regularly
- vaginal dryness
- skin irritations or dry skin
- depression
- libido issues or lack of sex drive

The effects of pre menopause symptoms can start as early as the thirties. Too many women wait to the very last minute to even learn about menopause and how it can affect many facets of their lives.

Are you in your forties and experiencing some weird happenings with your body. Don’t be too concerned, you haven’t been possessed. In fact, menopause symptoms could be at play and no matter how hard you try to ignore them, they are not going away anytime soon.

Simple fact is, you are about to begin a new phase in your life and should really embrace it. Many women get into trouble with menopause symptoms because they are not conditioned mentally to handle them.

Why fight what’s going to happen naturally anyway. This article is not about treatment for menopause but is directed at those women who need some confirmation that the “divine miss M” has finally arrived.

7 Menopause Symptoms

1. One of the first tell tale signs of menopause symptoms are irregular periods.

2. Hot flashes are one of the most common menopause symptoms and are caused as a result of dropping estrogen levels.

3. Lack of sex drive is another common symptom and there are varying factors contributing including vaginal dryness which makes having sex unfortable.

4. Outward irritability and mood swings which are particularly worrying especially if a woman's character and personality have never exhibited this behavior in the past can be another clue your body is starting to shut down it's fertility engine.

5. Depression is one of the main worries of menopause. A woman can be feeling particularly vulnerable at this time via thoughts of lack of hope as well as anxiety.

6. Lack of sleep is another sure sign of menopause symptoms. It's not so much a woman is unable to get any sleep through normal means but more about being kept awake or having her sleep broken because of night sweats and itching.

7. Increasing weight should be watched. Many women report weight gain during the early stages of menopause although, it's important not to get this confused with thyroid issues. When weight becomes an issue you should seriously consider looking at your diet and exercise regime.

There is strong debate on how to best to deal with the symptoms of menopause. Preparation begins well before they actually have an impact on your life.

No, we are not suggesting sitting in a fortress like tower riding shotgun waiting for them to appear over the horizon because no one can predict when they will eventually have an impact on your life.

One of the secrets to handling early menopause symptoms is to know what they are, what they can do and the best treatment options open to you.

The effects of symptoms are not only physically demanding but also mentally. In fact, the latter is almost a bigger issue simply because of the way it can play with a woman's emotions.

Approaching this from a positive perspective and actually welcoming this new phase into your life can have some wonderful benefits for your mental well-being.

Too many women hear the horror stories associated with the symptoms of menopause and immediately withdraw into a cocoon like shell as a form of shutting it out. Why do most women shy away from the topic of menopause when it's brought up?

One of the main reasons is because they think it's a sign of old age. It's simply a stage in a woman's life where her fertility production begins to shut down and she is about to enter a new phase in her life.

Sure there are symptoms associated with this transition into anew phase such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and irregular periods but if you know what to expect then you are going to be in a better position to handle it.

Truth is, many women have expected the worse and when menopause finally arrives, suddenly discover it's not as bad as they were led to believe. Sit down with your doctor if you are still in the waiting room of pre-menopausal symptoms and ask questions relating to it.

Look at the treatment options available; traditional treatment such as hormone replacement therapy and natural treatments such as herb and vitamin alternatives.

If you understand early menopause symptoms on a mental level well before they arrive, then you have a much better chance of handling their impact when they enter your life.

Preparation for pre menopause symptoms starts with conditioning your mind. In other words, don't be a stranger to menopause and learn all you can about it's effect, it's symptoms and the treatment options available to you.

Pre menopause preparation should begin well before the symptoms are due to have an impact in your life. For example, if you are in your thirties, then don't assume just because you're still at a relatively young age that menopause won't affect you.

It doesn't mean you're old; this is one of the main reasons why many women simply choose to ignore it. By understanding the impact it can have on your life will go a long way to being able to prepare and deal with it once menopause eventually begins.

Pre Menopause Symptoms

So what do you look out for as far as pre menopause symptoms are concerned? The first pre menopause symptoms are usually the mood swings along with highly irregular periods.

In some instances, there could be other medical explanations for the above symptoms however, if you are around 40-45 years old and you experience this set of symptoms, chances are that you have entered the pre-menopausal stage.

This particular phase could last for anything from one to ten years but it's different for many women. There are other early signs of menopause. The skin gets drier, sexual appetite decreases to a large extent and you get hot flashes and night sweats which can be terrifying at times.

Mental Effect Of Menopause

Physical symptoms can be frightening but in most cases, it's simply because a women doesn't know or understand what's happening to her body. There is a massive hormonal imbalance occurring in the body during the pre-menopausal stages. Due to the hormone problems there are massive mood swings and bouts of depression attacks at the most inopportune moments.

Emotional episodes such as becoming teary over simple things such as dropping and breaking a piece of china are not uncommon. It's hard for a woman to understand why she reacts so emotionally to something like this but it's one of the mental effects of menopause.

Depression can be a major player while a lack of a sex drive is common. The latter can also impact the woman's partner who may not understand what's going on or why it's happening. This can lead to tension within the household.

This is why it's so important to understand and learn about the pre menopause symptoms phase before it happens. You should know why your body is going through this change and be aware of the treatment methods available to you.

There are two ways to deal with peri menopause symptoms. You can either choose to ignore them and hope they go away(not recommended) or you can do a little preparation and try to understand what is happening to your body.

In essence, peri menopause symptoms are the sign that your body is in the process of shutting down it's fertility cycle. It's the time in your life you've often heard discussed and in most cases, wanted to talk about something else.

This is why education is key in dealing with the onset of menopause. Too many times women will ignore the topic simply because they say it makes them feel old or it's still a long way off and doesn't affect them.

Knowing what menopause is and how it's symptoms can affect you even in your thirties will give you a better chance of handling them when they eventually arrive.

Peri Menopause Symptoms

So let's take a look at what symptoms can accompany peri menopause:

- Your periods will become irregular. You might feel as though you are going through the same emotions as pregnancy but that is not the case.

- You'll experience frustration in the form of mood swings and can become short tempered

- You'll probably experience hot flashes which is the most common symptom of menopause.

_ A lack of sex drive may become an issue. When this happens, it would affect you r relationship with your partner who may think he is the problem

- Depression could become an issue for some women

With the peri menopause symptoms your body is beginning the preparations for your menopause phase. It can sometimes be a very trying time but with help you can get through it with some ease. Women often fear when they are going through the peri menopause symptoms as all the emotions of knowing that you are heading to the end of your fertility cycle can be overwhelming.

In the end, all you need is some time to adjust. If you're reading this, learn as much about peri menopause symptoms as you can in a hurry because the more you understand what's going on, the better you'll be equipped to handle it. Definitely talk with your doctor.

Being ready for menopause doesn't mean waiting in a fortress-like lookout tower and expecting it to be charging at you from over the horizon. The signs of menopause can be both subtle and blatantly obvious and how you handle it will have a lot to do with how you've prepared.

Too many women ignore the benefits of gaining good knowledge about menopause symptoms during their younger years; dismissing it as irrelevant at that stage of their lives and failing to realize that life passes you by quickly.

Preparing For Signs Of Menopause

So what can you do to prepare for the most significant change in a women's life? Well, preparation is a combination of mental and physical activities. Let's take a look a some of the ways you can diminish the shock value of menopause when it arrives:

1. Prepare mentally.

2. Be in good shape physically. Exercise is helpful in many ways including preventing the rapid onset onset of osteoporosis.

3. Exercise can come in many forms. It can be regular walking, 3-4 sessions a week at the gym for both cardio and weight training, yoga and tai chi, swimming, cycling, dancing or simply being active in a team sport.

4. Your diet during your 30's is vital to handling the signs of menopause. Foods rich in calcium should form a staple part of your diet and as a means to strengthening bones. After the age of 30, a woman experiences regular bone loss and while it's only minute each year, it can add up to significant levels by the time she reaches 50.

5. Eating healthy to maintain healthy bones is not the only reason. Heart disease can be a major factor for a woman in her late forties and onwards and combining healthy eating with regular exercise can significantly lower any risk of problems settling in.

Gaining weight during menopause almost seems an acceptable thing for many women but you know it doesn't have to be. Menopause weight loss is achievable by following some simple guidelines.

One of the best methods of preventing extra weight during menopause is simply understanding why it occurs. Avoiding the process of having to lose weight by preventing it from accumulating in the first place makes good sense.

Menopause is simply a natural process in a woman's life. Yes, it's associated symptoms are tough to deal with on occasions but again, understanding what it is and why it occurs will go a long way to handling it's symptoms with relative ease.

Achieving menopause weight loss is not too difficult once you know why it's put on in the first place. Here are some of the reasons why you may gain weight during menopause:

- Aging is a major factor. With age comes a slowing down of the metabolism process and if you continue to indulge the way you used too without matching exercise then you are asking for trouble.

- Thyroid issues are generally overshadowed by the symptoms of menopause. Many women can be caught unawares so speaking to your doctor about this is important. Weight gain can be substantial if the thyroid is unable to regulate the absorption power of the body anymore.

- A lack of exercise will contribute to weight gain. When a woman gets older, especially career women, they are less likely to be moving around when they get into more responsible positions. This can also apply to home makers who no longer have kids to run around around after. With extra time comes the temptation to indulge more.

- Your genetical history could also be a factor. If there is a history in your family of overweight people then it's possible you could also become overweight.

Achieving menopause weight loss can be avoided in the first place simply by understanding why you could gain weight initially. If you have gained weight then getting on a responsible exercise and diet program is vital. Remember, before commencing any such program, just check with your doctor first.