Definition
The menopause process is comprised of three separate phases: perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. Perimenopause usually begins 5 – 7 years before menopause when a woman’s fertility ends. Perimenopause can occur naturally as early as the early to mid 30s, but for most women this phase doesn’t start until the mid 40s. It’s during perimenopause that estrogen and progesterone levels slowly begin to decline and with this decline comes a slow loss of fertility. At times hormone production can be higher than normal while at other times it may be lower than normal; it’s these hormonal imbalances that cause all the symptoms associated with menopause.
Pregnancy
Ovulation is when a woman’s body drops eggs to possibly be fertilized. Since estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that are responsible for regulating ovulation, a decrease in these hormones will make it harder to conceive. Prior to perimenopause, women menstruate and ovulate every month, but during perimenopause there will be months with no bleeding or ovulation. During the months that ovulation occurs, it is possible to get pregnant, while during months where ovulation doesn’t occur, it is not possible to get pregnant.
There are hormone tests that your doctor can run to tell you where you are in the menopause process and what your chances of conceiving are.
The symptoms of perimenopause are exactly the same as those experienced during menopause:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of libido
- Unwanted facial hair
- Thinning hair
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Accidental bladder leakage
- Tinnitus (ear ringing)
- Formication (sensation of things crawling on or under the skin)
- Irregular periods
- Loss of fertility
- Osteoporosis
- Mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
Once menopause is reached and a woman is then considered postmenopausal, menopause related symptoms will eventually clear up, usually within 5 years or less.
Treatment
Perimenopause and menopause are considered a natural part of the aging process and require no medical treatment. However if symptoms get bad enough to impact day to day living then treatment may become necessary. Visit Signs of Menopause Guide for articles about natural treatment options, HRT, menopause and perimenopause.
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