According to WebMD, the average woman enters menopause at around 51 years of age. You're nowhere near that age, but yet you're beginning to feel a few of the symptoms that are associated with menopause – including hot flashes and mood changes. If you're in your late 30s, 40s or even early 50s, according to Healthline, perimenopause might be the reason why you're periods are becoming more infrequent, and you're suffering from several strange symptoms. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions associated with perimenopause:
What Exactly Is Perimenopause?
Basically, perimenopause is a term used to describe the normal hormonal changes that occur in women who are approaching menopause. According to the Mayo Clinic, estrogen is the main hormone that begins to fluctuate during perimenopause. During this time, a woman may suffer from longer periods, or she might not have periods for a few months at a time.
The time perimenopause lasts will vary from woman to woman. Some women will not go through perimenopause, while others will suffer from the symptoms associated with this condition for several months or years.
The end of perimenopause occurs when a woman enters menopause. Technically, menopause begins when a woman no longer has a period for 12 months in-a-row.
What Are the Symptoms of Perimenopause?
The symptoms of perimenopause will vary. However, in many cases, a woman going through perimenopause will experience many of these symptoms:
Hot flashes and night sweats
Irregular periods. A woman might have a normal period one month, and skip the next. Or, she might have heavy or lighter periods.
Tender breasts
Mood swings
Headaches
Anxiety and depression
Lethargy
Bloating
Trouble staying asleep
Vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse
Trouble concentrating or trouble with memory
These are only a few of the many symptoms associated with perimenopause. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and if your period becomes irregular, don't hesitate to visit your gynecologist, someone like Central Iowa OB/Gyn Specialists, PLC.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there isn't a test that is specifically used to diagnose perimenopause. Instead, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and in some cases, they may test your hormones levels and thyroid. This will help them determine if your hormones levels are lower, which is a sign you might be going through perimenopause.
What Can I Do To Find Some Relief?
The symptoms associated with perimenopause can be debilitating. However, there are ways you can target your specifics symptoms to find relief. For example, if you're suffering from hot flashes, keeping your room cool at night, avoiding spicy foods, staying away from caffeine and quitting smoking are all ways you can find relief.
If you are experiencing mood swings, speak to your gynecologist about some of options available to you. Your doctor might recommend hormone replacement therapy, which can help relieve this common issue. Additionally, this treatment can help reduce some of the other symptom associated with perimenopause, including vaginal dryness, pain during sex, hot flashes and night sweats.
Additionally, according to WebMD, there are several other simple lifestyle changes that can help ease the symptoms of perimenopause, including:
Get out and get some exercise
Give up alcohol and tobacco
Ask your gynecologist about introducing more calcium into your diet. A calcium supplement is one way to introduce this essential element into your diet. You can also get more calcium from a number of foods and beverages, including milk, broccoli and tofu
Perimenopause is a common condition that many women will experience, and should not have to suffer through in silence. If you're experiencing any of the symptoms associated with perimenopause, don't hesitate to contact your gynecologist immediately.
Share3 November 2015
I have struggled with allergies my entire life, and my health issues kept me from enjoying playgrounds and outdoor sports like the other kids. When my daughter started to sniffle and sneeze when she turned seven, I knew that I didn't want to stop my child from experiencing a fulfilling childhood. After a meeting with an allergist and a blood test, I found out that my daughter was allergic to pollen during the spring, summer, and fall months. I decided to allow my daughter to start shot therapy. While my daughter built up an immunity to the allergens, I decided to lessen symptoms by using natural health techniques. I found a variety of options online. Unfortunately, I had to weed through a great deal of information to find out what worked and what didn't. Let my research and trials guide you, so you can find out what really works.
