menopause | causes, signs, and remedies to alleviate unpleasant symptoms
Perimenopause is the transition period that precedes menopause. During the premenopausal period, the levels of the female hormone estrogen begin to decrease. The body begins to feel menopausal-like symptoms, such as hot flashes or irregular menstruation. The premenopausal period can last for many years. When 12 months go by without a period, this is the time when menopause has begun.
Overview of the perimenopausal period
What is menopause
Perimenopause is when your body begins to transition to menopause. During this transition, the body's hormone levels and reproductive activity become more volatile. Another name for menopause is the menopause transition.
The premenopausal period can begin as early as the mid-thirties or even the mid-fifties, and some people only experience menopause for a short time. But for many people, the premenopausal period lasts from four to eight years. The term premenopause simply describes the time when menstrual cycles are no longer expected. At this time, the body enters the final stage of reproductive age.
What is the difference between menopause and menopause?
The premenopausal period is a transitional period and ends with menopause. Menopause means that menstrual cycles have completely ended. If there is no menstrual cycle in 12 months, then this is when the body officially enters menopause.
Can I get pregnant during perimenopause?
Pregnancy is less likely to occur during the premenopausal period, but it can still happen. During menstruation, a woman is still able to get pregnant. If you still want to get pregnant and have a baby during this time, talk to your obstetrician and gynecologist and find out about possible options for infertility treatment.
Irregular menstruation can lead to an unwanted pregnancy. If you do not want to get pregnant and have a baby during this time, continue using contraception until your doctor tells you that you can stop using it. However, it is still a good idea to use safe sexual practices to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) throughout life.
When does the premenopausal period begin
Most women notice signs of menopause in their forties. Symptoms of menopause in some women begin in their thirties. Menopause before the age of forty is called early menopause, there are signs of menopause. It may be caused by some health problems or medical procedures.
How does menopause affect the body?
Serum estrogen levels fall throughout menopause. It is an important female hormone that maintains the function of many organ systems, including the female reproductive system. Estrogen levels can rise and fall unevenly during the premenopausal period.
When you reach menopause, your body produces so little estrogen that the ovaries cannot release eggs. Then the woman will have no role in the menstrual cycle.
Symptoms of menopause
During perimenopause, most women experience menopausal-like symptoms, including:
Decreased sex drive hot flashes or night sweats sex irregular menstrual cycle Moon variability, irritation or depression inflammation of the urine (urinary incontinence) vaginal dryness
A decrease in estrogen can also lead to osteoporosis or changes in blood cholesterol levels. During perimenopause, the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases increases. It is better for women in the premenopausal period to have regular check-ups and health monitoring.
Causes of menopause
Menopause is caused by a decrease in ovarian function that can cause ovulation to be irregular or stop altogether. As a result, the length and flow of the menstrual cycle can be irregular.
Symptoms of menopause appear due to changes in estrogen and progesterone. For example, increased estrogen levels can cause symptoms similar to premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual syndrome). Or estrogen levels may drop, causing hot flashes or night sweats.
Altered estrogen levels can be associated with a normal menstrual cycle during the premenopausal period. Studies show that premenopausal women have different patterns of hormonal fluctuations, so every woman can experience menopause differently.
Premenopausal testing and diagnosis
Often a doctor can diagnose menopause based on the symptoms. A blood test to measure hormone levels is also helpful, but hormone levels often change gradually during perimenopause. It is best to take multiple blood tests at different times for comparison.
However, in general, the premenopausal period does not require a visit to the doctor. Only if you have the following signs, do you need to go to a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment:
Many blood clots occur during menstruation small blood bleeding between periods vaginal bleeding after sex emotional symptoms that affect daily activities menopause treatment
How is the treatment of perimenopause
There is no cure for ending perimenopause. It's a normal part of life. However, you can ask your doctor about premenopausal medications to help relieve symptoms. Some of the possible treatments are:
Antidepressants: help improve mood swings or depression.Birth control pills: they help stabilize hormone levels and often relieve symptoms.Estrogen therapy: this method helps to stabilize estrogen levels. Estrogen therapy can be given in the form of a cream, gel, patch, or pill. Gabapentin (Neurontin ® ): this is a seizure medication that also works to reduce hot flashes for some women. Vaginal creams: there are both prescription and non-prescription versions from the doctor. This method can reduce pain from Sex and reduce vaginal dryness.
Is estrogen therapy a good treatment
The signs of vaginal dryness, nocturnal sweats, and hot flashes are often alleviated in many women by estrogen medication. It could also lower the chance of osteoporosis. But this treatment is not suitable for everyone because estrogen is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and some forms of breast cancer.
Hormone therapy is generally considered less risky for young women. In general, doctors recommend that women who choose to use hormone therapy start within 10 years from the onset of their first menopausal symptoms and maintain it for no more than 5 years.
Is it possible to treat perimenopause at home?
There are several ways to relieve premenopausal symptoms at home, such as:
Consume a balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Exercise regularly. Improve sleep by avoiding electronic screens and doing relaxing activities before bed. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake. Practice meditation or yoga, and no smoking. Lose weight if necessary. Losing weight helps reduce hot flashes, and night sweats and improves the body's energy levels.
Prevent the risk of early menopause
Risk factors for early menopause
Several factors can trigger early menopause, including:
Family history of early menopause smoking history have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy, have you ever had cancer treatment how can I reduce your risk of premenopausal complications
Irregular menstruation is the most common symptom of perimenopause, but it is important to know when to visit your doctor to treat menstrual problems and reduce the risk of complications by getting treatment when needed. If you have any of the following problems, you should see your doctor:
Bleeding for more than 7 consecutive days bleeding between periods changing tampons every one to two hours menstruation increases by about 21 days.
How long does the premenopausal period last
The period may vary from person to person. On average, menopause lasts for 4 years. Some women experience menopause for only a few months, while some women last longer than 4 years.
The premenopausal period is a gradual transition to menopause. During this period, symptoms similar to menopause may appear (hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness). Most symptoms can be controlled, but if you need help from your doctor, there are effective medications and treatments available.