Perimenopause

Perimenopause also means the early stages of menopause. Perimenopause is a phase before the actual menopause takes place. It is a phase when the production of the hormones like estrogen keeps on declining. Perimenopause can last from 5 to 15 years in a patient. However some experts say that perimenopause is a period of 4 to 5 years just before the actual menopause tales place. Normally women experience more symptoms during perimenopause then in actual menopause. Perimenopause occurs in women between the ages of 35-45 years. As perimenopause reaches an advanced stage, women begin to experience symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles. This is the result of declining amount of estrogen in the body which shortens the cycle from 28-30 days to 24-26 days resulting in more number of periods. On the other hand some women might have periods after a long time, the frequency between the periods increases. This is because these women are not ovulating frequently. Perimenopause may lead to symptoms like hot flashes and sleeplessness at night, mood swings, breast tenderness and other symptoms. If the symptoms are observed early, then treatment can be started immediately by the doctors. The doctors can start treatment by giving hormone replacement supplements which help to replace the declining hormone levels in the body. If the treatment is delayed then surgery might be the only option. Hence it is extremely necessary to consult a doctor of any of the symptoms persist for a long time. Let us see the other symptoms of perimenopause. Menstrual cycles becoming shorter to longer is the most common symptom of perimenopause. Also the blood sugar in the body becomes lower than normal. The women suffering from perimenopause suffer hot flashes at night and hence are not able to sleep properly. Hot flashes is a feeling of warmth in the body when the temperature outside is low. Hot flashes may last from 30 seconds to 15 minutes and may lead to insomnia. Patients suffering from perimenopause may also get psychologically affected through depression and getting irritated easily. There is a decreased sex drive because of constant irritation in the vagina. Women suffering from perimenopause should be given full support by the family members, especially spouses. Even the doctor treating women with perimenopause should support her and give her treatment as desired. The doctor should watch the progress of the woman from time to time and change treatment accordingly.