Are You Experiencing the First Stages of Menopause? You May Want to Learn More About Hormone Replacement Therapy

The average age that women enter menopause hasn’t changed for several centuries. Given that modern women tend to have longer lifespans, this is particularly intriguing. While the average age that women experience menopause is 51. some women begin to experience the first stages of menopause when they are in their 30s. While other women may not go through menopause until they are in their 60s, most women are between the ages of 40 to 58 when they begin menopause.

Prior to experiencing menopause, 9 out of 10 women go through a period of altered menstrual cycles. This period of time is referred to as being perimeopausal, and will usually last for approximately 4 years. When a woman has gone 12 months without having a period, she is usually classified as being in menopause. After this, she is referred to as being post-menopausal.

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to early menopause. According to studies conducted during 2003, life-long depression and financial hardship may both contribute to this occurring. A report published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health revealed that when women survive extended periods of economic hardship, the likelihood of their beginning this transition earlier increases.

When women discover that they are in the first stages of menopause, there are a variety of treatments that may be recommended by their gynecologist to aid them with this transition. Women in their 50s that are just entering menopause, for example, may opt for hormone therapy.

It’s important to note that hormone therapy is a relatively safe treatment, and can usually be administered for approximately 5 years. This form of treatment has not been associated with an increased risk for heart disease or other common womens health issues. However, it is recommended that women should still be screened for heart disease, high blood pressure, and breast cancer during this period.

When women experience sporadic menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, or other women’s health issues, it’s important to visit a local gynecologist for an evaluation. While these issues may be minor in scope, they could be indicators of serious issues.