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January 9, 2008

What is Perimenopause?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ashlynn @ 9:16 am

Perimenopause is the time when your body is transitioning into menopause. It comprises of the years both before and after your fianl period – anywhere from two to eight years.

Symptoms of hormonal change such as hot flashes, mood changes, insomnia, fatigue, and memory problems are generally experieced by the majority of women going through perimenopause.

During perimenopause the production of your reproductive hormones – estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone – becomes irregular. Your periods may lengthen or shorten, and you start to have menstrual cycles in which you don’t ovulate. During this period, fertility diminishes.

Symptoms and Signs of Perimenopause

Symptoms can begin as early as age 35, although most women experience them about 10 years later than this. Some women do not feel any change in their body, while others feel like they’re on a roller coaster ride. Below is a list of common symptoms associated with perimenopause.

  • You may experience shorter or longer periods. The flow may be heavy one month, then light the next. You may even skip a period or two.
  • You may feel uncomfortable sleeping at night due to hot flashes, but sleep can become erratic even without them. The frequency, duration, and intensity of hot flashes can vary.
  • You may experience irritability and depression, but the culprit may be your disrupted sleep pattern or other menopausal symptoms.
  • Your vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity. Low levels of estrogen may also cause urinary or vaginal infections.
  • Your ability to conceive decreases as ovulation becomes irregular. However, if you are still getting your periods pregnancy remains a possibility.
  • Your sexual arousal and desire may change.
  • Increased risk of osteoporosis due to declining estrogen levels.
  • Your blood cholesterol levels may change. Declining estrogen levels may lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) which can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease.

Risks Associated with Perimenopause

In some women menopause can occur earlier in life. For example, women who smoke will experience menopause one to two years earlier than women who don’t. There are other, albeit non-conclusive, factors that may cause perimenopause occuring at an earlier age. These include:

  • When your mother or sister experienced menopause.
  • Having never delivered a baby.
  • A history of heart disease.
  • Cancer treatment in childhood with chemotherapy and pelvic radiation therapy.
  • Hysterectomy.

Treatment

The symptoms of perimenopause are often relieved with the use of birth control pills. You can take low dose pills to regulate your periods, reduce hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Eat a healthy low-fat, high-fiber diet that’s full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Take up regular exercise to help prevent weight gain and bones from weakening.

Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.

Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.

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