I am way too young for this!
It used to be that menopause was something that would hit around 50, cause a ton of heat and discomfort, then go away in a couple of years leaving women comfortable and period-free, but old. At least, that’s the way women (younger, non-menopausal women) thought it went. Now that we’re all talking about it, it’s actually kind of a relief to learn that perimenopause is resp onsible for some of the physical changes we might start noticing in our mid to late 30s – like weight gain, lower sex drive, moodiness and PMS. What’s better is that there are things we can do to keep our balance – and our sanity – during the transition into menopause, without getting old in the process.
Bioidentical Hormones for Perimenopause
Hormonal Imbalance as it Relates to Perimenopause
While the existence of menopause is common knowledge, perimenopause is less well known.
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause also referred to as pre-menopause or early menopause is the length of time before and one year after the final menstrual period, during which ovarian hormonal patterns change. The average age at which irregular cycles develop is approximately age 47 but in many cases can start as early as 35 years old. Like menopause, perimenopause is a normal part of a woman's life cycle. Generally, the ages at which your mother and older sisters began menopause and perimenopause are a good indication of when you might expect to start experiencing the symptoms of being premenopausal. If you smoke, it is likely that you will start perimenopause a year or two earlier than you would have if you didn’t smoke.
The length pre menopause varies for each woman, starting either just a few months before menopause or even several years before being menopausal. Women can experience many of the same signs of menopause and can find relief with bioidentical hormone therapy.
Symptoms of Perimenopause: Premenopausal Life
The perimenopause symptoms include:
- Irregular Periods
- Heavy Bleeding
- Insomnia
- Hot Flashes
- Headaches
- Hair Loss
- Diminished libido
- Weight Gain
- Dry Eyes
- Vaginal changes
- Mood Swings
- Memory Loss
Since perimenopause is considered the transitional stage between normal menstrual periods to menopause, women often experience a combination of symptoms from PMS to other common menopause symptoms. Try keeping a record of your cycle and your daily symptoms for a couple months to get a better idea of whether you are experiencing PMS or are premenopausal. You should notice patterns of physical and emotional symptoms in coordination with your cycle. If you are not noticing a pattern of ups and downs with your cycle, then it is likely that you may be in perimenopause.
Women in perimenopause often experience a change in their menstrual cycle. In this stage it is common for menses cycles to occur sooner than 21 days or, more likely, later than 45 days. A woman does not enter menopause until she has not had a period for twelve consecutive months; up until that time, pregnancy is still possible.
Hot flashes, low libido, trouble sleeping and weight gain are the most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance as a woman ages. Weight gain during pre-menopause, one of the most outwardly noticeable symptoms, is oftentimes misdiagnosed and is one of the first signs of hormonal imbalance. These signs of early menopause and related conditions are also connected to your stress levels, poor nutrition (diets high in simple carbohydrates and low in quality protein), lack of exercise and the environmental toxins your body is exposed to on a daily basis.
The Solution: Bioidentical Hormones for Perimenopause
In this transitional stage, your estrogen, testosterone and progesterone levels are constantly fluctuating. Environmental factors, stress, exercise, and diet also shift the hormone levels. Bioidentical hormone therapy provided by our expert anti-aging physicians measures these hormones to create a customized treatment and lifestyle plan. This allows for immediate relief from the symptoms that the hormonal imbalance caused. Premenopausal life does not have to mean living with undesirable symptoms. The use of bioidentical hormones for perimenopause symptoms are likely to help women live better, longer.{
