BLOG – PERIMENOPAUSE

  • Apr,1 2022

Perimenopause

Perimenopause refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years. Signs  of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, can happen during your 40’s while some may see the changes as early as 30’s. During perimenopause  the  levels of hormone estrogen in your body rises and falls unevenly. 

Your menstrual cycles may either be long or short  and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don’t release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. Whenever you’ve  gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you’ve formally reached menopause putting an end to perimenopause.

Symptoms

During this phase of perimenopause following changes might take place in you which includes :

Irregular periods. As ovulation becomes more unpredictable, duration between periods may be longer or shorter & your flow may be light to heavy, and you may  even have no periods for some months followed by a regular cycle.  

Hot flashes and sleep problems. A hot flash is the sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body, which is usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. A hot flash can also cause sweating. This may also cause sleep problems

Mood changes. Mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression may happen during perimenopause. Hormonal changes not related to perimenopause and due to age many also cause mood swings 

Vaginal and bladder problems. With falling estrogen levels, your vaginal walls & tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, resulting in dryness & making intercourse painful.

  •  This also  may cause  urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue tone may contribute to urinary incontinence.
  • Decreasing fertility As ovulation becomes irregular, your ability to conceive decreases
  • Bone loss With declining estrogen levels, you start to lose bone more quickly than you replace it, increasing your risk of osteoporosis — a disease that causes fragile bones.
  • Changing cholesterol levels Declining estrogen levels may lead to changes in your blood cholesterol levels, increasing your  risk of heart disease.

Risk factors

Menopause is a normal phase in life. But it may occur earlier in some women than in others. Evidence suggests that certain factors may make it more likely that you start perimenopause at an earlier age, including smoking , family history of early menopause,cancer treatment with chemotherapy & hysterectomy etc

See your gynaecologist  if:

  • Bleeding is extremely heavy & you feel very weak because of blood loss
  • Bleeding lasts longer than seven days with heavy flow
  • When bleeding occurs between periods
  • Periods regularly in less than 21 days 

The above signs mean a problem with your reproductive system that requires diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor will decide on the best course of  hormonal treatment or other drugs. However following a healthy lifestyle consisting of diet, exercise & yoga or meditation can help you sail through menopause smoothly & bid farewell to your reproductive years  and welcome the next phase of life