Many women think that they are very ill or at least sick when they have symptoms that those of us in the know, know are menopausal symptoms. Night sweats, hot flashes, headaches, forgetfulness, irritability, mood swings, dry skin, insomnia can all be symptoms of various diseases but are also side effects of menopause.
Women in their early 40’s don’t think they are old enough for menopause. Women in their mid forties don’t think they are old enough either. The truth; THEY ARE old enough for menopause. Menopause does not have an age requirement like getting your driver’s license or eligible for social security. It happens some time in between and can vary among women greatly.
Of course you want to check with your doctor, but don’t let your doctor say you are too young. Be sure to be your own advocate and ask your doctor for a FSH blood test. That test may be an indicator that you are entering menopause. Menopause is not an illness, is not life threatening and is a whole lot better than having a life threatening illness.
I am not minimizing menopause symptoms in any way, they are miserable, annoying and even debilitating, but they are not forever! Women who have had a child or who are breast feeding sometimes get hormonal symptoms similar to menopause. It is a glimpse of the future as your hormone levels fluctuate.
Recently I had conversations with 2 women who were relieved to find out they are only menopausal. They are both in their early 40’s, healthy, active women who were just not feeling like themselves and experiencing new odd symptoms. The internet had both the women convinced they were seriously ill with who knows what, so you can imagine their relief. Menopause happens, sometimes sooner than later, welcome to the club.