Most women experience a gradual transition from their reproductive years into menopause. This transitional era is referred to as perimenopause, marked by menstrual cycle changes and associated physical and emotional symptoms. Generally, it lasts for two to nine years, but it can go on for even longer in many cases. Everybody should know about this condition and how to prepare for it.
What Are the Symptoms?
Each woman will feel separate effects, but some generalities are common. For example, the majority of sufferers notice rapid fluctuations in their mood, and their sex drive may flatten. Perimenopause symptoms also include difficulties concentrating, headaches, and night sweats.
If your body temperature feels as if it skyrockets suddenly, you may be experiencing a hot flash. On the other hand, vaginal dryness afflicts many aging females, leading to sexual troubles. In addition to traditional issues, some ladies complain about trouble falling asleep.
Furthermore, muscles and joints might begin to ache, and people can start sweating more frequently. Besides, PMS-like symptoms are commonly reported by women going through these changes.
One final thing to consider would be the frequency of urination. This may be the reason you use the bathroom more often out of nowhere. Heightened emotionality is another frequent occurrence during this time in someone’s life. Explosive outbursts, crying breakdowns, and heated arguments might be more common at home. Therefore, it is important to recognize the impact of your emotions, so you can manage them effectively.
What Causes It?
As the body ages, the ovaries naturally begin to lose their functionality, atrophying. At first, a woman’s ovulation rate may become irregular, occurring on a sporadic schedule.
After suffering from this for a while, the entire cycle ceases, stopping forever. Menstruation occurs on a longer cycle, and flow may be disrupted.
The initial trigger for this condition is a change in the body’s homeostatic hormone levels. Consequently, cascading signals reverberate throughout the endocrine system, signaling changes. Moreover, these fluctuating hormone levels also instigate the symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Lower levels of estrogen interfere with temperature regulation, and higher levels interrupt emotions.
How to Diagnose Perimenopause
Generally, a lady will start complaining about some of the symptoms, and then they will visit a physician. However, it can be impossible to tell if this is the case without professional help. Speaking to a healthcare provider is the greatest way to tackle this suspicion.
When you speak to them, tell them about your medical history and age, and ask for a physical exam. The results of this exam will indicate whether you are entering menopause. If the exam’s results are inconclusive, the doctor can request further blood tests and hormone panels. These will elucidate the underlying mechanism precipitating the symptomology you possess.
What Are Potential Treatments?
Traditionally, treatments are unnecessary unless you are bothered by the symptoms. Since this change is natural, it is something everybody experiences at some point in life. Hormone replacement therapies can balance and equalize disturbed homeostasis.
If you have felt depressed lately, antidepressant medications can alleviate some of the severity. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can prevent the clearance of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft. As a result, mood dips are lessened, providing some relief to depressive feelings.
A discussion with your healthcare provider could illuminate some other alternatives. For example, eating a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can be helpful. Healthier diets impact hormone production less, and they tend to make you feel better overall. In general, eating well and taking care of yourself will decrease the symptom’s severity.
Consume at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily, using a combination of diet and supplements. Exercise often, and track what triggers your hot flashes in your journal. If something, in particular, precipitates your episodes, avoid that for a couple of years. Replace these habits with other things you enjoy so you do not feel neglected, but your hot flashes are minimized.
Understanding the Pathology of Perimenopause
Perimenopause can be a scary condition if you are unfamiliar with it. Nevertheless, it is survivable and benign, so there is no need to worry. As long as you prepare for it, daily life will not be impacted.