Perimenopause, as pre-menopause is usually called, begins when a woman starts to experience certain symptoms which are associated with a diminishing production of the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. At the end of this period, also known as late pre menopause, the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen and progesterone and consequently for the most women the first typical symptoms of menopause appear. Falling estrogen and progesteron levels finally lead into the next stage of menopause called perimenopause . This stage, like pre-menopause, represents a transition between menstruation and menopause, but in addition can include some of the classical menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes and vaginal dryness. Most women experience this stage for about four years, but it is not uncommon for some to linger in this phase for up to ten years.
Pre menopause is defined as being the stage in a woman’s life when she begins the process of going into a permanent state of ceasing to have her menses. Pre menopause is a time of transition and is something that every woman is going to go through at one point or another in her life, and so if you are a woman, you might as well be prepared for it. Difficulty in sleeping can occur due to hot flashes but experts suggest that difficulties with sleep can occur during the pre menopause years even when women do not experience hot flashes. During this time frame some women have to deal with mood swings such as depression or becoming agitated. Other signs that you may be experiencing pre menopause are night sweats and hot flashes. For some women, their sleep is often disturbed by these symptoms.
Early menopause can result in infertility or sub-fertility at a young age. These emotional and psychological changes often start years before the ‘official’ start of menopause. Whilst menopause is officially defined as when periods stop completely, hormonal changes often begin anywhere from 40 onwards. Typical menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes or night sweats, are caused by changing hormonal levels in the female reproductive system. Almost all women notice early symptoms while still having periods.
Pre menopause begins to occur in women in her mid thirties to late forties. The significant changes observed are that of irregular periods in which ovulation do not occur even though menstruation does occur. Usually, women with pre menopause symptoms have unpredictable periods for up to eight years before they finally stop. Gradual changes in the body would be very eminent during pre-menopause years. Some of the major pre menopause symptoms are heart palpitations, night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain and migraine headaches. The heart palpitations might feel very frightening since it’s not comforting to feel heart palpitations.
With a proper diet, nutritional supplements can help most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be reduced if not eliminated. Many women are turning to a natural drug free approach for help in easing hot flashes, cramps and mood swings, and more. There are also many other menopause treatments optional for the women who want to control the menopause symptoms. Yet, some women still worry about what will happen and what they should do when menopause arrives. Women may experience a wide range of feelings, from anxiety and discomfort, to release and relief.
Menopause occurs as the ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to gradually shut down. As the body adapts to the changing levels of natural hormones, vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and palpitations, psychological symptoms such as increased depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings and lack of concentration, and atrophic symptoms such as vaginal dryness and urgency of urination appear. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum stops producing progesterone and estrogen and progesterone levels drop. Lower levels of these hormones cause the endometrium to shed and menstruation to begin.
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