The average age when a woman goes into menopause is 51, even though medical professionals have long recognized that some women have early menopause symptoms as early as 10 to 15 years before menstruation stops completely.

Each woman is different, as are the fluctuating hormones that signal the start of early menopause symptoms. This transitional period of time, when early menopause symptoms surface, is officially termed perimenopause. Common symptoms of perimenopause include irregular periods, heavy bleeding, hot flashes, sleep disruption, headaches, dry eyes, vaginal changes, hair loss, weight gain, loss of libido, fuzzy thinking and drastic mood swings.

Menopause is traditionally considered an issue for middle-aged women, however, more younger women are reporting early menopause symptoms.  according to a report by KBOI2.com, new research shows perimenopause is taking its course much earlier for some women.

If a woman does not menstruate for 12 consecutive months prior to age 40 it’s considered premature menopause. Sometimes it can even hit as early the 30′s or even in the 20′s. “Many people have symptoms they attribute to other reasons,” said Dr. William Madland with Saint Alphonsus Medical Group. “But when you evaluate them and get detailed histories and hormone studies you can determine that many of their symptoms are caused by the process of menopause.”

There is no consensus on what is causing women to have early menopause symptoms at much younger ages. some believe it’s the result of diets that are made up of processed foods high in refined carbs and low in protein. Others blame chronic exposure to environmental toxins and the heavy use of artificial hormones. some studies place the blame on over production of estrogen from emotional and physical stress due to fast paced and hectic lifestyles. whatever the cause, most women experiencing early menopause symptoms prior to age 40 don’t want to believe they are going through the change of life. While there is nothing a woman can do to halt menopause once it begins, knowing when it is going to happen can relieve some of the fears and help women develop a plan for menopause treatment. to help, doctors can perform tests that measure different hormone levels, like FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and estrogen. And now there is a new blood test available that can determine if a woman has the four genes linked to early menopause. Knowledge about what is going on is a powerful tool for understanding early menopause symptoms and helping women feel in control of their bodies.

Learn how to ease early menopause symptoms with Vibrant Nation’s FREE special report Top 5 Remedies to Stop Hot Flashes and Hormonal Night Sweats During Menopause.

I am 44 and have been having night sweats nearly every night for the past month or so. I had them occasionally before then. I've also noticed that I've become more anxious and moody lately. I know that this is most likely perimenopause, but I thought irregular periods would be the first symptom. Mine are still as regular as always so far. Is this normal?

I went to docs this morning because of extremely irregular periods and pain during intercourse, only just started having sex (and only had sex maybe 4 times) so not sure if this is anything or not though). Im 26 and was panicing was cervical or uterine cancer.

The doc did an oh so comfy examination where she used a finger to feel inside the vagina, and this in itself did hurt me quite alot. Should it have? she said she couldnt feel anything abnormal like any lump but did say the inside of my vagina was very very red! and that this was most likely Thrush, BUT I have had no itching or pain on urination occur ever, so im thinking how can it be this??

Shes sent a swab away for analysis which will come back in a week’s time. Is it possible for it to be Thrush with internal vaginal redness as the only symptom??

She said they couldnt do a smear test there and then and didnt offer any further tests yet for the irregular periods, but did say after the results for the Thrush come back we may need to look into an ultrasound with a probe inside me which she said id probs find painful!!!!

Can thrush present without itching or pain on urination? she said Cervical Cancer was v unlikely from my symptom

I feel this certain kind of pain on my left side when i ovulate. I just had a Myomectomy( fibroids) in November and i was feeling such pains b4 then. I thot it would stop after the surgery.my Gynae checked during the surgery and he said my tubes & ovaries are fine.

Go to webMD.com

These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
acne, oily skin, or dandruff
pelvic pain
weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
sleep apnea?excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

I was diagnosed with PCOS a few months ago. my symptoms were very irregular periods, severe cramping, weight gain with little appetite. I was constantly tired no matter how much sleep I got, heavy heavy bleeding, and cramping even when I did not have my period. you can never know if this is what you have unless you visit your doctor and talk to him/her about it, and there are many other symptoms you may or may not have.

I have been experiencing spotting for about 8 weeks now. It started after having irregular periods. I was thinking that reaching menopause would be a breeze for me. I started when I was 12 years old. I'm now over 50. I've been having a very irregular period, very light, with spotting in between periods. last month, I was very normal. I talked to my health care professional and she said that if the progesterone treatment didn't work that I would need to start hormone replacement therapy or even birth control pills. I am very reluctant to start birth control pills and especially HRT (hormone replacement therapy) because of the serious health risks. I don't bleed heavily nor am I experiencing any pain from the bleeding. I am very aware of the health risks concerning cancer. My mother died from cervical cancer 20 years ago. My parents divorced because of my father cheating on my mother. the oncologist believed my mother had HPV complications. This is before the research confirming the link between cervical cancer and HPV. he said that she had an STD at some point and the scarring from the disease brought on my mother's cancer. My father had been having numerous affairs with other women. My mother was faithful to my dad. she had post menopause bleeding and lost dramatic amounts of weight.
This is why I don't want to risk my health to an HRT. I know the links between heart disease, strokes and other female cancers. I don't want to be tortured by the menopause symptoms either. Is there a safe alternative to HRT? Why do conventional doctors only know one therapy for menopause? They should know the serious risks to this kind of therapy but yet still adhere to it. I'm very irritated. I'm trying to do my best with everything. Has anyone had similar experiences with perimenopause? Thanks.

im a 20 yr old female w/ no kids..whom hasnt had a normal menstrual cycle in a year. i was having pregnancy symptoms and doctors were confused because i showed negative for pregnancy, a month later 5:30 am had pains so bad i was curled up in a ball crying as i bled. the er said its just extra period blood. i thought something was wrong. went to obgyn and she said im at high risk for cervical cancer..havent got my results because my insurance was cancelled by my parents when they found out…i been weak and not myself. exhausted and bored. today used the restroom and i saw blood from my rectum! has anyone ever experienced this? idk if i should be worried! thanks!

?
A woman's menstrual cycle is a period of time averaging 28 days, associated with the physiological preparation for pregnancy. an abnormal cycle can include heavy or light bleeding, infrequent periods or too frequent periods, missed periods, painful cramping, spotting and bleeding that lasts longer than a week or only a day or two. Usually irregular periods are nothing to worry about, but on occasion it can indicate a health complication. Few women's cycles are perfectly regular, but severe or prolonged inconsistencies may be caused by stress, hormonal imbalance, diet, exercise, illness, menarche or perimenopause.
.Stress
Don't underestimate the connection between mind and body. what affects our minds or emotions affects us on a cellular level, thereby altering our very physiology, our bodily processes. Feelings such as stress, anger, sadness, unresolved emotional issues and isolation can all negatively affect your cycle. Worry about possible pregnancy, ironically, can also lead to a delayed or missed period. and even good stress, such as excitement and anticipation of an upcoming trip, can cause irregularity.
Hormonal Imbalance
When the body is under chronic stress, the adrenal glands secrete cortisol (the "stress hormone") but when they can no longer keep up the high rate of production, the body converts progesterone to cortisol. this progesterone deficiency causes a hormonal imbalance, which can lead to an abnormal menstrual cycle, including anovulation, when the ovary does not produce an egg though bleeding may or may not occur.
Diet and Exercise
Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia or simply not getting the nutrients your body requires can affect your menstrual cycle, often with the cessation of a monthly period. and although sufficient exercise benefits your health and leads to regular and less painful periods, too much exercise can cause amenorrhea, the suppression of monthly bleeding.
Illness
Specific endocrine problems, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or endometriosis, can cause irregularities. other conditions such as hyperthyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes or even a sudden high fever or other general illness such as flu can also impact the menstrual cycle.

?What are the causes of rectal bleeding?

Many diseases and conditions can cause rectal bleeding. Common causes include:

•anal fissures,

•hemorrhoids,

•cancers and polyps of the rectum and colon,

•diverticulosis,

•abnormal blood vessels (angiodysplasia),

•ulcerative colitis,

•ulcerative proctitis,

•Crohn's colitis,

•infectious colitis,

•ischemic colitis, and

•Meckel's diverticula

i have pain on the lower left side of my abdomen and in the "v" section of my lower abdomen the left side is slightly swollen (feels like a cramp or pulled muscle). and i have a bloated feeling. ovarian cysts are common in my family, could this be one?
btw no i am not pregnant.

My friend had one once. She came to school one day, and it was probably the last week of school because we weren't doing anything in any classes. She thought it was her kidney hurting. She was doubled up in pain on the floor about an hour later, went to the nurse who told her to go to the hospital. I don't think she had it surgically removed. but she had VERY irregular periods (like she'd skip 3 months before she got it) and I think she said later that that was probably why.

my wife had both of her ovaries removed, i had her call me from work to take her to the hospital many times, its a very sharp shooting pain and it damn near , ok not damn near, it buckles you over cuz it hurts so bad if that is then thats what it is, and use rubbers, more **** from a pecker just makes the folical grow more

(Sorry ya'll if my spelling is off!)

Abnormal Bleeding

Unusual Heavy Discharge

Pelvic pain

Pain during urination

Bleeding between regular menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse, douching or a pelvic exam

not sure about the cancer,, but I have had cysts all my life,,

you are in unbelievable pain,, in your abodomine,, right where your overies are,, you have irregular periods,, stuff like ,, the pain is usually right around when you ovulate or before you start your period.

What are the symptoms of a girl who has a hormone imbalance?
I am 15 years old and at first i thought i had PCOS, but when i went to the doctor he said there is no way i have it because i am not overweight enough and i don't have enough facial hair ! but i really did believe i had it…I have all the symtoms…The facial hair, the hard time losing weight, irregular periods, painful menstruation, the acne, the brown spots under my arm…Almost everything ! The facial hair is BAD, it seems to be getting worse every year and I have to wax it like once every week, it really sucks !

My doctor told me that i most likely just have a hormone imbalance and that everything will get fixed later on…but does hormone imbalance cause breast to not grow? because like i said, i am 15 and i have NO breast. seriously..And when i say NO breast, i don't mean small ones, i mean NONE! It's sooo bad, my chest looks like a little girl of 6 years old! I'm telling you i have NONE at all NONE ! And what i find weird is that im not even too skinny or anything, i am actually like 15 pounds overweight ! most girls at my school that are like super skinny and anorexic have breast, and yet me, someone who is actually over weight has NOTHING. What could be causing it? could lack of meat and protein cause this? Cause i don't eat very much meat and like almost never eat peanut butter and stuff like that… I DO drink lots of milk though !

I am also on birth control and i have been on it for 3 weeks now and i haven't noticed any change with the acne or breast or anything ! but do you think that birth control will regulate my hormones? When they regulate them do you think i will start to see breast development?

Thanks if you could help me