by Corinne Bernat

Created on: April 27, 2009   Last Updated: May 17, 2009

At age 35, I began to notice a decline in my overall health. Some of the symptoms I experienced are common to menopause but some are not. Irregular periods, whether they become more or less frequent, is the most obvious alert but it is the more uncommon signals, combined with age, that may lead to misdiagnoses. If you identify with any of the following symptoms, combined with changes of frequency and flow in your menstrual cycle, you may be experiencing early menopause.

Early menopause, or the less diplomatic name, premature ovarian failure (POF), is the advanced arrival of menopause. Menopause marks the beginning of the end of the female's natural ability to reproduce. It occurs when the ovaries slow down their estrogen production.

Menopause usually begins in women over 45, so when a moderately young women confides her symptoms to a general practitioner (GP), it can easily crawl under the GP's radar. When misdiagnosed, this can become a stressful, worrisome and discouraging time.

Living with early menopause isn't easy. If you have been desperately searching for your relatively sane, former self, drop everything you're doing and go directly to a gynecologist. It's always in the last place you look.

*Seizure-like episodes: The loss of color to the skin, inner tremors, trembling, accelerated heart rate and blood pressure and disorientation or dizziness, lasting anywhere from minutes to hours.

* Depression: Lack of motivation to complete simple tasks like bathing or housework, becoming easily overwhelmed, feelings of emptiness and doom, recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

* Lack of concentration: Difficulty following a conversation or a train of thought, causing communication and reading, for example, to become a frustrating struggle.

* Memory loss: Frequent failure to recall common words or times and dates.

* Night-sweats: Regular interruption of sleep due to cold, wet sheets and/or pillowcases, without a rise in overall body temperature.

* Changes in skin texture: Loss of elasticity and an overall dull appearance.

* Hair loss: Sudden or gradual but noticeable thinning and/or obvious changes in hair texture.

* Hot flashes: Sudden waves of extreme heat ranging from a few minutes to hours.

These symptoms may be indicative of early menopause but can be easily be misdiagnosed.

My first diagnosis was vertigo, the second, depression. The third consideration was a heart condition and the rest are equally irrelevant and are too long to list.

In its entirety, my investigation lasted four years and included, but wasn't limited to; three months of cardiology examinations, eleven hospital visits, and a nap at a sleep disorder clinic. In total, it enlisted the aid of 23 physicians in three different cities including twelve sessions, in total, with 1 psychologist, 3 psychiatrists, a psychometrist and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, not really the bird but you get my point.

In any event, if you see yourself or anyone you care for in this article, make an appointment with a gynecologist to rule it in, or out. A simple blood test will record the levels of your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and you'll have your answer. Having the proper diagnosis will give you options for treatment, if necessary. What have you got to lose? You might find comfort in knowing that you're not losing your mind, just your estrogen.

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