Perimenopause - Symptoms and causes

 

What is a Perimenopause 

Perimenopause is known as menopausal transition Perimenopause means "around menopause" and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years. Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition.

Women face perimenopause at different ages but mostly at the age of 40s symptoms of perimenopause are such as irregularity in menstruation but some women face these changes at the age of 30s. 

During Perimenopause the level of estrogen , the main female hormones rise and fall. And your menstrual cycle will be changed or irregular . your periods may lengthen or may shorten  and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don't release an egg (ovulate) menopause symptoms like hot flashes sleep problems and vaginal dryness 

What are the Perimenopause symptoms 

Throughout the  menopausal transition you may see the changes in your body some subtle and some not so sublet 

• Irregular periods. During menopausal transition the length of your periods may become shorter or may become lengthy, your periods flow may be light or may be heavy , and you may skip some periods. If you have a persistent change of seven days or more in the length of your menstrual cycle, you may be in early perimenopause. If you have a space of 60 days or more between periods, you're likely in late perimenopause.
• Hot flashes and sleep problems. Hot flashes are common during perimenopause. The intensity, length and frequency vary. Sleep problems are often due to hot flashes or night sweats, but Even without them, sleep can be erratic.
• Mood changes. Mood changes / mood swings will be increased due to perimenopause and irritability increases and risk of depression also increases 
• Vaginal and bladder problems. When your estrogen level decreases then your vaginal tissue may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Loss of tissue tone may contribute to urinary incontinence. 
• Decreasing fertility. As periods become irregular, your ability to conceive may decrease. But pregnancy is still possible, and if you don't want to get pregnant- then you can use pregnancy birth control pills. And you can use condoms during intimation with your partner. 
• Decreased Libido (Sex Drive).Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly lower estrogen, can contribute to a decline in libido. Reduced interest in sexual activity is a common experience during perimenopause.
• Loss of bone. When your estrogen level decreases then you start to lose bone more quickly then  increasing your risk of osteoporosis — a disease that causes fragile bones.
• Changing cholesterol levels. Declining estrogen levels may lead to changes in your blood cholesterol levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol which contributes to an increased risk of heart disease. At the same time, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, decreases in many women as they age, which also increases the risk of heart disease.

What are the Causes of Perimenopause 

During perimenopause, your start produces estrogen and progesterone , then key female hormones changes occurs like hormones raises or falls. Many of the changes occurs during perimenopause.

What are the Risk factors of Perimenopause 

A regular stage of life is the menopause. However, some women may experience it earlier than others. Certain variables may increase your chance of starting perimenopause earlier in life, while the data is not always clear-cut. These considerations include. 

• Smoking. Women who smoke experience the start of menopause one to two years earlier than women who do not smoke.
• Family history. Early menopause in women is a possibility if early menopause runs in the family.
• Cancer treatment. Early menopause has been associated with cancer treatment involving chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy.
• Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy that removes your uterus, if your period skips , your ovaries still produce estrogen. If you remove one ovary, then remaining ovary might stop working soon.

What are the Complications of Perimenopause 

Most of the time irregular periods are normal and nothing to be worried about. Irregular periods are a hallmark of perimenopause. However, see your doctor if: 

If your bleeding flow is very heavy, you're changing tampons or pads every hour or two for two or more hours

• If Bleeding lasts longer than seven days
• If Bleeding occurs between periods
• If your periods regularly occur less than 21 days apart

Perimenopause Supplements You Should take During Perimenopause 

1. Magnesium

2. Vitamin D

3. B vitamins

4. Omega-3 fatty acids

5. Zinc

6. Probiotics

 

Diagnosis and Tests

How is perimenopause diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of perimenopause diagnosis then you must go to the health care provider and consult with them. You should go to your health care provider if you have these symptoms or if you see these change in your body :

• Blood clots released in menstrual discharge.
• If Spotting between periods.
• Vaginal bleeding after sex.
• If Emotional symptoms interfering with your ability to function on a daily basis.

Note - If you are experiencing perimenopause  symptoms , we want you to schedule an appointment with us,  Top Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Dubai from New Concept Clinic, a Gynaecology Hospital in Dubai offering the best gynaecology services. To get all the answers to your questions Schedule an Appointment and speak with our doctor now.

Read More -  My Period Late But I’m Not Pregnant? 5 Possibilities