Have you ever been on a commercial flight and the captain comes on the speaker and says: " We've begun our initial decent into (destination city), please stay seated with your seat belts fastened until we are on the ground..." Well, I liken the time before menopause, which is perimenopause, to a nice flight: in order to get to where we want to go, we have to decend from the cruising altitude before landing. We haven't gotten there yet, but it is a time of change. Just like a plane descending from 40,000 down through the layers of winds, clouds, and air pressure layers, Our bodies are likely to cause us some ‘turbulence’.
The changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause is marked by low levels of estrogen and progesterone . The change to lower levels during perimenopause gets our bodies ready for these new lower menopause levels. The fluctuations in these two hormones along with FSH (follocular stimulating hormone) and LH (leutinizing hormone)) are the cause of symptoms of peramenopause.
The perimenopause can give you an opportunity to make health commitments for your future and positively influence all areas of your life-physical, personal, social, and professional. Taking action while keeping a positive attitude will give you the best chance for a smooth landing.
What is the perimenopause?
The perimenopause is a normal transition in a woman's life. Although each woman's experience can be different, most women experience a decreased ability to become pregnant, as well as irregular and sometimes heavy menstrual periods during the perimenopause.
When does the perimenopause occur?
Menopause is your last monthly period and represents the ending of the active functioning of your ovaries. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but every woman follows her own biologic clock. The perimenopause is the time of change leading up to the actual menopause, and usually lasts about five years. It is commonly associated with a shift from regular to irregular menstrual cycles prior to stopping completely.
How will I recognize it?
During the perimenopause you may experience changes in your menstrual cycle and breasts. You may also experience occasional
hot flashes and night sweats.
Changes in menstrual cycle
The most common early sign of perimenopause is a change in your menstrual cycle. There is a wide variation in the length of menstrual cycles in normal women. As you enter the perimenopause, your own cycles may become much more irregular. Often, the interval between bleeding becomes shorter and the bleeding heavier.
You should talk to your health care professional if you are experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding, long intervals of spotting, or have gone more than two months without a period. These symptoms can be signs of abnormalities of the uterine lining, which are easily treated.
Breast Changes
Variations in breast tenderness or fullness are common in all women throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. During the perimenopause, you may be unable to predict breast tenderness or fullness as your cycle changes. Any lumps in your breast or leaking of fluid from the nipple should be evaluated by your health care professional, who may suggest a mammography based on your personal and family history.
Will I experience emotional changes?
Most women do not find the perimenopause to be difficult. In fact, for most, it is simply a normal transition in their lives.
During this time of life, emotional swings can occur in everyone, both men and women. They generally concern issues such as children leaving home, parents growing older, or career changes. They are not usually due to the hormonal changes of the perimenopause itself, and there is no evidence linking perimenopause with behavioral problems or other symptoms.
Hormonal shifts during this time, however, can cause sleep disturbances. Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue and a decreased sense of well-being.
Mood swings may occur as a result of the hormonal shifts, similar to what some women experience during a menstrual cycle, only more unpredictably. Low-dose oral contraceptives can help to even out these hormonal shifts. Talk to your health care professional if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Will my sex life change?
Most women do not experience major changes in their sex lives during the perimenopause. Your sex life will probably be the same after the perimenopause as before. You may notice more vaginal dryness during the perimenopause. This is your body's normal response to a decreased level of the hormone estrogen. This is rarely a problem during perimenopause. Your health care professional can discuss the options available to deal with vaginal dryness, such as use of lubricants available in any drug store.
What are some of the therapy options?
A number of alternative therapies-in the form of supplements, special diets, and exercise and relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation-have shown promise and are gaining popularity among women in the perimenopause.
What about diet and exercise?
The perimenopause is a good time to plan for a vigorous, healthy second half of your life. That means establishing a healthy lifestyle, which includes activities such as regular weight-bearing exercise, a healthy diet with supplementation, and stopping smoking. Preventive health care is important throughout your life. If you are not already maintaining a healthy lifestyle, now is a good time to start.
