Your Irregular Period
If you are between the ages of 35-50, your irregular period could be an early menopause symptom.
Your period may be much heavier and longer than before, or it could be shorter and lighter. The key is that it is irregular for you. You could also have erratic periods that come every three months, or even once a year! You may want to read more about the relationship between periods and menopause.

There is nothing wrong with irregular menstruation as a part of perimenopause, but be sure to see your doctor to rule out any other possibilities for your irregular bleeding.CausesYour body is beginning the natural process which will one day lead to menopause - the time in your life when you no longer menstruate. Right now, your hormones are shifting in ways that they had never before shifted! This hormonal change is causing your irregular bleeding. - Low Progesterone: Progesterone is a hormone that triggers menstruation. Without it, we would never have our periods.
With low levels of progesterone, we have irregular periods. This is the case for premenopausal women. Progesterone balances the estrogen in our bodies. When we have low progesterone, our estrogen is left unbalanced, and the estrogen- created uterine lining does not break down and leave our bodies as it has each month in the past. - Fibroids: About 40% of women in pre menopause develop uterine fibroids that are benign. These can cause you to experience heavy periods.
While they will typically shrink in size after menopause, many women either have them removed surgically or use non-surgical treatments such as herbs, diet, and progesterone cream. This site has more information on fibroids.
Natural ReliefMany women find treatment because their unpredictable menstruation schedules and heavy bleeding are too difficult to live with. Increasing your progesterone level will help to regulate your periods and stop other symptoms that you may be experiencing (migraines, mood swings). - Chasteberry: Taking this natural herb will help your body to create more progesterone, which will balance your estrogen levels and help to treat your irregular periods.
- Progesterone Cream: Rubbing this cream into your body every day will also raise your progesterone level and keep your estrogen in check.
- Licorice Root: Taking licorice root helps to balance your estrogen-progesterone levels.
Welcome to the Club!Eventually, your periods will get more and more infrequent until one day, you will have your last period. When you have gone one full year without menstruating, you can say that you have officially entered menopause. Many women report that entering menopause is like entering into a richer phase of life. They feel more connected to themselves, and they worry less about what other people think. Just rent Fried Green Tomatoes if you're wondering what I'm talking about! Return to Pre Menopause Symptoms. Return from Your Irregular Period to Estrogen Source Homepage.

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