Many women experience mixed emotions when they learn they are going through menopause.
While they may be happy that they will soon be free from monthly bloating and discomfort, they may be sad that this change signals the end of their child-bearing years.
They may also fear apprehension because they are not sure what lies ahead of them.
The good news is that all of these feelings and concerns are normal.
Many women fear menopause because they have heard horror stories from their friends and relatives.
However, there is no need to fear menopause.
In fact, many women are relieved once they understand how menopause impacts their lives.
Most women are between the ages of 45 and 55 when they begin the menopause process, but this is not always the case.
The average age is 51.
Some women have started menopause as early as 40, and others do not start menopause until they are in their 60's.
Knowing your family history can give you a good indication of when to expect to begin menopause.
Menopause affects each woman differently.
Some women have very few, if any, side effects, while others experience many unpleasant side effects.
It is difficult to predict how each woman's body will react to the changes associated with menopause.
Some doctors believe that a woman's family history can provide a good indication of how her body will react.
Some of the most common side effects associated with menopause include irregular vaginal bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, and rapid changes in mood.
All of these symptoms are the result of fluctuating hormones.
In the past, doctors used to prescribe hormone therapy in order to ease these symptoms.
However, recent studies have shown that hormone therapy may be linked to the development of several different types of cancer.
For this reason, hormone therapy is no longer advisable.
If you are experiencing significant side effects, discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
There are many different treatments your doctor can suggest, based on your history and needs.
You may also want to consider joining a menopause support group in order to learn more about your condition.