Menopause has been called the change for decades, women don’t discuss it & so when IT happens it’s crippling, to say the least!

My mother SUFFERED from it tremendously & always stated: "It’s just a CHANGE all women must go through!"

Change is an understatement. From what I’ve read & seen first hand, below are SOME of the menopausal symptoms:

PMS, stress, depression/anxiety, panic attacks, extremely moody, rage, body odor, negative thoughts, irrational thoughts, suicidal thoughts, lack of sexual desire, vaginal dryness, itching, hair loss/balding, halitosis, isolation, fear… etc are SOME of the DEVASTATING symptoms of menopause, why must women experience these relentless symptoms?

I am 23 years old. Since July, I have experience hot flashes. Not getting hot randomly because it’s hot outside, real hot flashes. I’ve lost 10 pounds in the last month. My period has always been regular, coming every 29 days and lasting for three days. But this time it came 5 days early and lasted for 5 days. This is also the first time I didn’t have cramps or bloating, however, I have been very very emotional. Crying at the drop of a hat, sometimes for no reason and sometimes because something small happened and it made me cry. My hair is beginning to feel and look unhealthy. It’s never been frizzy and now, no matter what I put in it, that’s all it’s been. I’ve been a vegetarian for a year and a half, I work a very stressful job and I just started grad school part time. I thought the stress in my life may explain why I’ve been crying so often, but I don’t feel overwhelmed or depressed. The weight loss and the hot flashes really worry me, but when I really look at everything combined including the emotions, I’m beginning to think something is seriously wrong. I called the doctor to make an appointment, but I’d like to have some opinions on what may be wrong. Am I going through early menopause??

Also, on a side note. Can taking birth control cause hair loss? I know birth control….can just kinda screw up your hormones, so I’m wondering if that can contribute. Or does the estrogen actually increase hair growth?
Lately over the past several months, my hair has been thinning gradually, mostly at the very top of my head. I’m noticing it more now when I part my hair. Particualrly when my hair is wet, or a little oily, I notice the thinning more.

There’s nothing in my hair care regimen that is contributing to it, so I’ve narrowed down causes to either Stress, Genetics, and lastly, hormones. So I’m considering buying some rogain. According to WebMD, men’s Rogain ((5%)) has a higher potency of medicine than the women’s does ((2%)). So I’m wondering, is it safe for me to use men’s rogain if I’m a girl? Or is that too powerful.

I'm wondering if I might be going through menopause…I'm only 31 but for the last seven months I have been having major physical issues. My mom and my grandmother didn't go through menopause until their 60's and none of my sisters have experienced any of these symptoms but I'm not sure what else it could be. My symptoms are these: hair loss, weight loss/gain (it constantly fluctuates), haven't had my period in seven months, facial hair growth (a lot of it!!), hot flashes and constant acne.

I talked to a doctor about this four months ago and he told me it was stress. But I'm not stressed, I have nothing (except this) to worry me! I'm really starting to get concerned especially because my husband and I want to start a family. Can anyone help??

people, I need your help. I can not afford any programs or specialists or doctors.. I don't have that kind of money. I hate going to the doctors.
I have been noticing that I am losing my hair. It makes me cry every time after I wash my hair. My hair is pretty and naturally smooth. My hair is the one of the things that I like most about myself.
My dad has thin hair. I took that from him. My mom has thick hair and she is starting to lose it just a little bit cuz she's going thru the menopause stage which is normal.
With me, its not normal. Its upsetting me cuz I just turned 19.
There is NOT any bald spots that are noticeable.. it's just when you look at my hair from far, you can tell that I have thin hair.
Mom says that it is like that because I use a straightener.. but I only use it once every two weeks or sometimes once a week.. the normal..
What do you think I can do to stop it??
Any natural solutions?? Anything that you have tried and worked??
Please tell me. I really need help. It's affecting my mood and selfsteem.
I looked at so many sites.. the causes and the treatments… they're usually just pills or shampoos.. products that you buy from the internet using credit cards. I can't do that. If you know of a product that I can buy from a store like Walmart or any other store, please let me know.
This is very important to me so please dont kid around or give out info that your not sure of.
10 points and 5 stars for the bestestest resonable answer!

Other details that might help you eleminate suggestestions:
I am usually stressed in my relationships. I am still suffering with the one guy that I love who apparently does not love me back– but I am working on it– helping myself let go.
I am also stressed when it comes to studies. I am a hardworking student. I go to college and I study hard.
I do NOT work… so stress coming from that.
Recently my mom was in the hospital but now she's out and better. While she was in the hospital, I didn't really take care of myself and overall health.
Also my mom is going thru a divorce.. from my dad aboviously. I am doing all the work for her. She depends completely on me while she goes out to work her put off to support me and my brother.
That is pretty much my life and how it has been for the past year. that might help I hope..?
Guys, I am trying to help myself. Guide me. I don't want to go bald!! I want my hair to grow back and be back to healthy and kind of thick as I used to have it.

I started to loose tons of hair in the shower or when I brush it. Could that be from taking certain meds, stress or Menopausal? It's there a good suggestion to stop the hair loss? I have a lots of new grown hair, however, I am dumbfounded when I see how much falls in the shower…It's scary….I am afraid to get bald…