When Does Menopause Start? Perimenopause
The word MENOPAUSE always brought thoughts of cranky old ladies that bite off everyone’s head. I know that sounds harsh but it is true. When I was younger that is what people joked about.
After I had a couple of children it seemed my periods and different times during the month became more difficult. Hormones seemed to go crazy a few days before my period and I had to make myself be more patient and loving during those times (and still do:)
I began the research for my book on menopause and found the word Perimenopause!
What in the world?
All I knew was that menopause could be rough and now they are saying there is a prelude to the big event? And then I learn menopause can take years to go through!
Good grief!
With more research over the last ten years I have learned that:
- Menopause is not to be dreaded.
- Menopause is not an nasty old lady disease.
- Life after menopause can be some of the best years for a woman.
- Menopause symptoms can start as early a woman’s thirties and is called Perimenopause.
- Perimenopause is the subtle changes that our body makes in preparation for the big event – Menopause.
- Some consider Perimenopause to be the entire time before the day that is actually considered Menopause which is when a woman has not had a period for one year.
- Symptoms are hot flashes, irregular period – in length and flow, hard time sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings, fatigue, and breast tenderness. This is not a complete list but includes the most common symptoms.
Perimenopause and Menopause are not to be feared. You may laugh at that statement, but the reality is that many women do fear or dread this time of their life.
I seemed to have gotten about 100 new wrinkles lately and I fear them!
With research, patience, and choosing our thoughts, we can be overcomers of the negative prejudices about Menopause and Perimenopause and come through it better women.
As always, I am so thankful I have God to help me through everything in my life….
The Lemonade Digest 