Hello everyone!We all have more or less heard about menopause.Menopause is the complete cessation of a woman's menstrual cycle which usually occurs between 45-50 years of age.It occurs due to the 'burning out' of the ovaries.As a medical student,I would like to make you familiar with perimenopause today.
What is perimenopause?
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.Your ovaries make less estrogen(sexual hormone) during this time.
This occurance varies from woman to woman.Different women start perimenopause at different ages.The level of estrogen — the main female hormone — in your body rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don't release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms.
Symptoms:
1.Hot flushes and night sweat
2.Breast tenderness
3.Fatigue
4.Irregular periods
5.Mood swings
6.Trouble sleeping
7.Vaginal dryness
8.Lower sexual drive
9.Urine leakage while coughing or sneezing
10.Worse PMS or premenstrual syndrome
It occurs usually in the 40s but in case of some women,it may occur in mid 30s also.
Treatment:
1.Hormone therapy-systemic estrogen therapy
2.Taking antidepressants with doctor's prescription.
3.Vaginal estrogen
4.Treat osteoporosis
5.To treat the hot flushes,doctors suggest neurontin or gabapentin.
Through research it has been proved that eating healthy food and physical activity,meditation,yoga and proper sleep help us through this stage.
Every woman has to go through this perimenopausal stage.It is very natural.Let's educate ourself about this as knowledge is power.
Thank you!
Helpful. Thank u