Most women don't realize that there are several stages to menopause. Many are under the misconception that one day your period just completely vanishes and there you are, staring menopause straight in the face. But this is definitely not the case!  

Instead, there are many years (usually) of symptoms and stages, such as perimenopause, which often lasts from your late 30s throughout your entire 40s, to menopause itself, once your period stops for 12 consecutive months or more. Even then, you could still be subject to hormonal fluctuations, making these symptoms continue on indefinitely.

As thrilling as it all sounds, how do you really know when your reproductive system is heading in this direction? And what are some of the early signs of perimenopause and menopause? Not to worry! Because we’re here to help you spot the signs early, so you can be well prepared for your joyous menopausal journey.

This is usually the symptom everyone thinks of first when they hear the word menopause. According to the experts, once your periods start arriving seven days sooner than they used to, you're officially in perimenopause. However, you don't have to officially be in that phase for your periods to start arriving whenever they want. If you previously had a fairly regular cycle, then you're sure to notice once good old Aunt Flo arrives a few days sooner or a few days later than normal. This is a sign that you're heading towards menopause. So, buckle up!

Those dreaded hot flashes! Every female has been warned about them or has watched their family members, neighbors, friends, and co-workers go through them. A hot flash comes on without warning. You'll feel totally fine one minute and like you're walking through the Sahara Desert in jeans and a fur coat the next. Then, before you really realize what happened, the sensation just vanishes. Night sweats are another related and not-so-fun issue. You don't even know that you're sweating until you wake up drenched and shivering. These are just a couple more of the joys that menopause brings.

Oh, the moodiness! As you may know, hormones like estrogen and progesterone also play a vital role in both your mental state and your libido. You may notice that your mood swings, particularly those that pop up just before your period (during those lovely PMS moments) tend to get more extreme. You could be in a good mood one minute, and then the switch flips to a bad one the next. In addition, your libido, which may have been so steady before, plummets, leaving you less interested in sex than you ever were before.

On top of the other physical changes mentioned above, you may notice a few additional ones. These can vary, as every woman’s body is different, and we all cope with menopause in different ways. However, things like painful sex, caused by hormonal fluctuations, as well as the arrival of migraines right before or during your period, and bouts of insomnia, are all signs that your reproductive system is changing as you shift gears into perimenopause.

Yes, we said it - even though we know you don’t want to hear it. Unfortunately for us all, a very noticeable symptom of early menopause is when belly fat starts appearing around your midsection and your thighs. This is due to the hormonal fluctuations that you're dealing with throughout perimenopause and menopause, all of which lead to the storage of fat.

Thankfully, there's a solution for this weight gain – MenoSlim Tea. Full of all-natural ingredients designed to help you lose your hormonal belly fat, as well as relieve some of your other peri-and-menopause symptoms, this tasty tea will help you power through these uncomfortable changes in your life and come out with a smile on that beautiful face!