The start of perimenopause happens approximately 5-10 years before actual menopause commences. If you find you have not had a period for approx 1 year or more and you are not taking any medicines that has caused you to skip periods then you are said to be in Menopause.
For all women, menopause and perimenopause, the predecessor condition, is a sad and dreadful part of life. The bright side when this happens is that it does not have to be the dreary and scary process that our culture has conditioned us to think of it as. Although all woman will experience the process, the symptoms and the way the symptoms affect you (intensity), is not be the same for everyone. With women, the symptoms will change as the process progresses. The specific symptoms will vary in severity and duration.
Society has everyone, especially women, focused on weight and the thoughts on perimenopause are no different. Be on the lookout for weight gain. Any unexpected weight gain may be an early indication that menopause is commencing. How the weight gain occurs can be the result of two different methods. The first being an increase in food consumption and a reduction in exercise routines, the other method that may indicate menopause is a weight gain due to retaining excess water in the body.
One indicator that we are all too familiar with is mood swings. It is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of mood swings but the change and rate of fluctuation of hormones in the body is one area that research points to. During those times, you can feel depressed, anxious, and irritable.
Other physiological changes take place during perimenopause. Cysts can start to form and grow in the breasts. Sometimes the uterus is affected. Most of these will be benign (non-cancerous). If they interfere with your quality of like or threaten you overall health and well-being then surgery is an option to remove them. For the most part, they will be benign and at most will only cause discomfort.
One well-known and major change for woman is that the ability to become pregnant is dramatically lessened. That condition can be treated with a hormone therapy but just as with those who are no dealing with perimenopause or menopause, there is never a guarantee about conception occurring with or without assistance, Be aware that the change in hormones during the process and afterwards can leave woman with vaginal dryness and a less optimal libido. This also affects the ability to get pregnant.
Lastly, there are the hot flashes, night sweats, and sleeplessness. These symptoms will eventually subside over time. For night sweats, be sure to change your sleep clothes and sheets as needed. Watch out for sleeplessness because a reduction in the amount of sleep you get will, over time, manifest with other symptoms like forgetfulness, chronic tiredness and of course, more irritability.
Although, things sound glum there is some good news! There are treatments that can assist with reducing the impact of the perimenopause/menopause symptoms. Use of medication and hormone therapy treatments can help but they do have various side effects that you may not want to deal with. If you are affected by the side effects, you also have the option of herbal remedies.
Menopause has been around a long time and there are many ways for dealing with it. See your doctor, pharmacist, or naturopath for a discussion on what is best for you for dealing with it.
Do not let perimenopause or menopause take over and control your life!
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