PMS or menopause? If you're a woman in your fabulous forties (definitely at your prime by the way!) and are suffering irregular periods, depression, irritability, or weight gain, you may automatically be assuming you've reached menopause. Maybe not. You could still be suffering the symptoms of PMS.
So why are the symptoms of PMS and menopause so similar? Both are triggered by the body's response to a decline in the production of progesterone and estrogen. In PMS, this is cyclical; occurring during the last two weeks of the menstrual phase. Production begins again at the start of the next cycle. In menopause, this is a permanent decrease in production that eventually halts menstruation, heralding the end of the childbearing years. It's vital to realize the difference between PMS and menopause and to confirm which you are experiencing. First because assuming you're no longer fertile can have rather serious consequences if you continue to be sexually active without using any means of birth control (i.e. pregnancy!). Second, because both PMS and menopause can have a negative impact on your life and require opposing treatments to be controlled.
Don't assume you aren't fertile anymore or go rushing for HRT before you are sure your symptoms are down to the menopause and not simply PMS. Be patient and however irregular, expect your periods to continue. Continue to take the same measures with diet, lifestyle and any medication you may be on to combat PMS symptoms. Track them. Are they occurring randomly or cyclically? Consult your doctor or gynecologist for confirmation of whether you're experiencing PMS or menopause if you're still unsure.
