Menopause typically impacts women in their late 40s to early 50s. If you’re experiencing changes in your body and haven’t gotten your period in a year, these could be signs that you’re beginning menopause. Below are some of its symptoms and information on when to speak to your women’s health specialist about menopause care.

How To Tell If You’re Starting Menopause

1. Irregular or Non-Existent Periods

If you’ve entered perimenopause, or the period of time leading up to menopause, it’s natural to have an irregular period schedule. You could start skipping periods, go for a few months with no period and then start again, or experience them coming closer together.

For your gynecologist to confirm that you’ve reached menopause, you’ll have to go a full year with no period whatsoever, though you’ll likely have other signs and symptoms before this.

2. Mood Swings

Part of menopause care is managing the mood swings that come with it. Strong feelings of anger, irritation, and depression are common. They could be caused by stress and family changes, but also by the changing hormones in your body.

3. Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Hot flashes refer to sudden feelings of warmth and heat that are accompanied by sweating, flushing, and sometimes a fast heartbeat. ‘Night sweats’ are hot flashes that occur at night and lead to heavy sweating, often disturbing sleep. It’s thought that lowered estrogen levels make your body more sensitive to changes in temperature, spurring the hot flashes. 

4. Sleep Disturbances

It may be hard for you to sleep during the beginning stages of menopause. Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, sleep in, or go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night are all issues you may be experiencing, due to lowered progesterone levels. 

5. Changes In Appearance

Your new hormone levels can lead to changes in your appearance. You may notice your hair seems thin, your skin is dryer, and your breasts feel less full. Weight gain is also common, as your metabolism slows.

Is it time for you to speak to your gynecologist about menopause care? At Caring for Women in Wasilla, AK, their women’s health care team has over 20 years’ experience providing perimenopause and menopause care in a compassionate and skilled setting. Learn more about their services online, and call (907) 279-2229 for an appointment.