Perimenopause – Your hormones after age 35

written by Dr. Dionne McClain

Perimenopause marks the interval in which your body begins its transition into menopause. Perimenopause encompasses the years leading up to menopause — anywhere from two to ten years — plus the first year after your final period. It’s a natural part of aging that signals the ending of your reproductive years. When perimenopause starts and how long it lasts varies. You’ll probably notice signs of impending menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s. However, perimenopause does not necessarily mean that you will follow an immediate and direct path to menopause. Most women don’t understand what is happening to their bodies and often do not even recognize the initial subtle signs of change. The simplest explanation is that during this time your estrogen level rises and falls unevenly frequently along with fluctuations in the progesterone and testosterone for some. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you begin having menstrual cycles in which you don’t ovulate. It’s only during cycles when you do ovulate that you can become pregnant. Symptoms you should be aware of and may experience include:

• Menstual irregularities (from scanty to profuse)
• Mood Changes (i.e. irritability, depression etc)
• Brain Fog  (poor focus, inability to multi-task, short term memory loss)
• Hot Flashes
• Vaginal and bladder problems (decreased lubrication, increased infections)
• Loss of bone
• Changes in sexual function
• Decreased fertility
• Unfavorable Cholesterol levels

 What you need to do to prepare yourself and manage the symptoms when they appear is monitor your menstrual cycle and record your signs and symptoms for several months. This will enable you to gain a better understanding of the changes occurring during the perimenopause transition. You’ll also have valuable information to share with your doctor or holistic practitioner. However, the main goals to managing the changes that occur throughout the body as well as alleviate the symptoms are to maintain the following lifestyle goals:

• Good nutrition
• Regular exercise
• Regular Chiropractic Care
• Stress Reduction
• Individualized Herbal supplements