Is This Early Menopause or Anxiety?

Heart palpitations, hot flashes, feeling more irritable and frazzled, period getting irregular - these symptoms can all be part of the menopause transition. But they can also be anxiety symptoms as well. It’s often difficult to tell the difference and the two can occur simultaneously. 

Typically, once the period has stopped for a year, menopause is diagnosed. That window of time when the period becomes irregular and menopause symptoms like hot flashes start is called “perimenopause”. This is because “peri” means “around” or “near”. If you’re taking contraceptive or hormone therapy this can sometimes make diagnosis more complicated. 

Sometimes, depending on your age and health history, your naturopathic or family doctor can do blood testing to help determine if you’re near or in menopause. The age you enter into menopause can also be impacted by genetics. Knowing the age that your mother and sisters went into menopause can give you some clues. 

Both menopause and anxiety can be a challenge to face alone. Make sure you’re getting the right medical care and support to help you figure out not only what is going on, but how to manage it.