by Eva Perry

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 05, 2010

Although, sweaty, itchy, weepy, and moody, may sound like names of the Seven Dwarfs, they can actually signal some menopause symptoms. 

What exactly is menopause? Frequently, women are confused as to when the start of menopause actually begins.This time occurs in a woman's life when her menstrual cycle ceases or stops, for at least one year. In general, a woman may enter menopause anywhere from usually age 45 to 55 years old.

There is, however, a period of time before menopause happens which is referred to as perimenopause. Perimenopause can occur anywhere from 5 to 10 or more years earlier. There is a myriad of possible symptoms associated with perimenopause, and some of the more common symptoms are listed below.

One of the first signs is irregular periods. The usual, clockwork cycle many women commonly experience may start to change, from a longer duration between periods to possibly shorter intervals between periods, to a change in menses, lighter or heavier.

Hot flashes are a common symptom. A hot flash is sometimes a hot feeling or flushing of the skin, starting at the neck and traveling upward. The severity of the hot flash will vary with each woman and not all women going through menopause experience a hot flash. Fluctuation in hormone levels is thought by many doctors to trigger a hot flash.

This group of symptoms will widely vary among women but you may experience one or several of them.

1. Fatigue
2. Headache
3. Rapid heartbeat, or palpitations
4. Insomnia, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
5. Frequent urination
6. Weight gain
7. Bloating
8. Skin changes, noticeably itchy, dry skin.
9. Irritability, depression, and crying spells.
10. Vaginal dryness.
11. Thinning hair
12. Anxiety

Remember; always consult your doctor as these symptoms can also be associated with some illnesses.

What can a woman due to relieve the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause?

Many women have found that through a healthy lifestyle including a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have helped some symptoms to diminish. Along with a healthy diet, incorporating exercise can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms. For example, aerobics, walking, jogging, or other outdoor activities may benefit both physical and mental symptoms.

Although HRT, hormone replacement therapy, was more widely used in the past to help women alleviate some symptoms, mainly hot flashes, recent studies have shown a possible link to an increased risk of developing breast cancer later on. It's best to consult with your doctor about HRT, to decide if a low dose regimen of hormone replacement is still a possibility for women experiencing severe symptoms.

There are natural alternatives available for women though, in lieu of HRT. For example, many women prefer using supplemental vitamins along with flaxseed oil, herbal teas, and natural and organic foods.

Menopause doesn't have to be a dreaded transition for women, but along with healthy diet and lifestyle changes, women can embark and look forward to the next chapter in their lives.

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