Menopause is an inevitable part of life for every woman; the time when the ability to reproduce comes to an end. This physical process normally happens gradually over the course of several years as hormone levels shift and diminish. The physical ramifications – along with the emotional fallout – of this life transition often spur a strong connection between menopause and mood swings.

If you are born female, you will undoubtedly at one time or another be accused of being “hormonal.” Female hormones are blamed for everything from irritability to depression, and while they are certainly prevalent in our lives they hardly control it. Just as in males, female hormones are present from birth. But it is during puberty that the female hormones make their presence known – in a big way!

Menopause – common to all women – is the time of life when the menstrual cycle ceases permanently. As adolescent girls, we are met at puberty with the beginning of menstruation which allows us – if we so choose – to reproduce. Our menstrual cycle occurs every month during our reproductive years until the onset of menopause – which generally takes place somewhere between a woman’s mid-forties and mid-fifties. While menopause produces the same end results, the menopause symptoms that each woman experiences may be different.

With the ongoing work being done by researchers studying the health effects of a myriad of environmental, dietary, and chemical factors on our bodies, we are bombarded with information on a daily basis. The negative effects of sun exposure have been well documented, as have the effects of tanning beds. But for tanning bed enthusiasts, the positive feelings associated with tanning are difficult to ignore. To weigh your risks when it comes to tanning, it’s important to first understand some tanning bed facts.