http://www.care2.com/greenliving/are-you-perimenopausal-14-signs.html
Are You Perimenopausal–14 Signs
Do you feel like you’re riding a hormonal rollercoaster? Have your periods become irregular or have you suddenly started having worse problems with your periods? If so, you may be riding a hormonal rollercoaster without even knowing it. If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again, natural remedies and a healthy lifestyle can help.
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is a natural, normal time in a woman’s life when her body begins its transition into menopause. Perimenopause encompasses the years leading up to menopause, which officially starts when a woman’s period has completely stopped for one year. Perimenopause, can range from two to ten years, depending on the woman.
While it is a perfectly natural phase of a woman’s life, it isn’t always easy to bear. Many women suffer tremendously during the perimenopausal years, while others experience no symptoms at all.
Most women begin perimenopause in their forties, but it can start as early as the mid-thirties. Perimenopause is the span of time when you notice that your periods are changing to one year after they completely stop. That’s when menopause begins.
The Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause
Perimenopause can cause a whole range of symptoms. Some women experience many symptoms while others may only experience one or two. The main symptoms include:
1. Menstrual irregularities: You may experience changes in the intervals between periods or skip some periods altogether. The flow may be scanty or profuse. Ovulation may become more erratic as well. You may be vulnerable to anemia if your periods are heavy.
2. and 3. Hot flashes and night sweats: Between 75 and 85 percent of women experience hot flashes during perimenopause. The intensity, frequency, and duration may vary.
4. Sleep problems: Often hot flashes are to blame for the sleep disturbances or fatigue that can be linked to perimenopause.
5. Mood changes: Fluctuating hormones can cause mood swings, depression, irritability, difficulty handling stress or anxiety.
6. Vaginal problems: As estrogen diminishes, vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful or uncomfortable.
7. Bladder problems: Lower estrogen levels may leave you more vulnerable to urinary tract infections or loss of tissue tone, which may also contribute to incontinence.
8. Decreasing fertility: Because ovulation becomes less regular, the ability to conceive may decrease. As long as you’re having periods, though, pregnancy remains possible.
9. Decreased libido: Sexual desire and arousal may gradually decline; however, stresses in life can also play a role, so it is essential to reduce stress. A supportive and loving partner certainly lessens the effects of hormones.
10. Body and skin changes: Muscle mass may decrease and body fat may increase as estrogen levels fall. Abdominal fat may increase. A regular exercise program can counter these effects. Lower levels of estrogen may affect the collagen in your skin, making it thinner and less elastic.
11. Loss of bone mass: As estrogen levels decline, you may lose bone faster than it has been replaced, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercise and a diet rich in usable calcium and other minerals as well as vitamin D can help keep your bones strong.
12. Changing cholesterol levels: Declining estrogen may result in increased LDL (”bad”) cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of heart disease. Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains can help keep cholesterol levels low.
13. Sore breasts: some women experience painful breasts just prior to and during their periods while others have sore breasts most of the time. Some women may be vulnerable to fibrocystic breasts.
14. Migraines: severe, one-sided headaches that often include sharp pain through one eye, seeing auras, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting.
Many women report other signs or symptoms during perimenopause, including dreams of pregnancy or thoughts of babies, nausea, or hunger.
Perimenopause is not a disease or a life sentence. Every woman’s experience is different. However, if you are experiencing any of the uncomfortable or painful symptoms mentioned above, it may be a sign of hormonal imbalances that might need addressing. And, keep in mind that you don’t need to experience all of these symptoms to be perimenopausal. With so many treatment options like bioidentical (natural) hormone replacement therapy, traditional botanical remedies, and nutritional approaches to perimenopause, there’s no need to suffer. Speak to your doctor or natural health care practitioner to find the option(s) that best help restore balance in your body during this transitional time in life.� And, of course, I’ll be posting related articles on Care2.com, so keep checking back.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, RNCP, ROHP, DAc, DNM, is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com.
More from Michelle Schoffro Cook (43 articles available)
related stories
-
(14 comments)
-
(24 comments)
-
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
24 comments
add your comment »I had never heard of msm powder, but am intrigued -- thanks for the info!! I am a fan of the Women to Women clinic's program for menopause symptom relief -- diet, exercise, supplements, some medicinal herbs, and phone support. Here's one of the clinic's articles on An introduction to perimenopause, menopause and menopausal symptoms
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I can't say enough about the MSM powder. As a matter of fact...I can't keep it in my house! My 22 year-old daughter uses it and can tell the difference in her skin, hair and nails when she stops for a few days. My husband decided to start using it because he noticed the difference when my daughter used it as well as myself and he just turned 41! My father-in-law is now using it because he had very bad back problems and knee problems and no longer has pain. My husband has arthritis in his shoulders so, taking the MSM along with the glucosamine Chondroitin has enabled him to alleviate the pain, go back to working out and not have to have surgery! If nothing else ladies...the only thing you have to gain is a nice head of hair ;)
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I'd be very careful with the "bioindentical" hormone replacement stuff. Do your research on that before taking anything.
Otherwise, Oh, geez, is that why I'm suddenly so itchy?
I'm intrigued by the msm powder.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
It's great to see the wonderful support women are offering each other to deal with any difficult perimenopausal symptoms. Thanks for the comments and support!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Just ordered some msm powder - thanks for the tip and the link. I can't tolerate the oversized pills it usually comes in. My hair has never been thick, glucosamine/chondroitin handles most of the aches and pains, and exercise helps, but if msm will help more it would be useful. Although I have carpal tunnel and had a magnesium deficiency for a few years that contributed to much. Nothing - not even 800 mcg of folic acid & biotin, seems to get my hair growth back where it was in my 30's - 3+ inches a year. So I will try the msm and see if it works.
I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago, so it's hard to tell where my periods would be except keeping a mood diary, but they started to shift schedule wise when I was around 40, and I have very mild forms of the other symptoms. Mild enough to not be sure except by looking at the whole list.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I have every single symptom, what joy.... not sure about the bone loss yet, but you forgot to mention the itchy skin (like insects crawling just under it) Can I tell you the corners of brick walls are great to scratch on.... just love being a woman....
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Becca, I would suggest you get a saliva test because it will test for all the hormones more accurately. I agree it sounds like thyroid more, but the saliva test checks for that, estrogen, cortisol, and others. My adrenals were wiped out and that causes the thyroid to be low but not sufficently to make a doctor take notice by blood test. You can also request antithyroid antibodies as well, something doctors don't usually do. Good luck and eat your vegies!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Ohhhh, yes, yes, yes...I'm aware [and a victim] of this fun fact as well! BUT...I have a couple of remedies for this ladies..ha,haaa! MSM powder! This stuff is not only good for those with joint problem but it makes your hair grow like craaazy! Great for the skin and nails too. The only place to get it in it's powdered, non additive form is on-line:
http://www.nutritionexpress.com/health+conditions/arthritis+joint/msm/
As for the facial hair; don't bother plucking...they'll just come back anyway. Some women will pay very high prices to have 'planing' done at a salon. This is basically 'facial shaving' for women. You can do it at home but you must be very careful. First of all, you do not 'shave' the way a male would. Women have to go in a sideways direction; meaning starting at the ear and going towards the mouth/nose. You use a single edge razor and do not use shaving cream. The best thing to use is a spritz of rose facial spray or grapefruit spray. This will keep the skin moist while allowing you to see the 'hairs' as you shave. Be sure to exfoliate every day with a very mild exfoliating cleanser to alleviate ingrown hairs. I do not 'plane' every day...maybe 1-2x/month although, my sister does it every day. This also allows for new skin cell turnover more quickly. Always be sure to use a good moisturizer and sunscreen every day and moisturize morning and night.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Another "fun fact" :-/
"... When estrogen levels decrease, many women experience an increase in androgen production, resulting in varying amounts of dark hair growth on the face—particularly around the chin and moustache area above the lip. Ironically, while the hair on your face may get darker, the hair on your head will have reduced growth and you may experience some balding; the individual hairs actually become smaller in diameter. ..."
from http://www.cosmeticscop.com/skin-care-facts-menopause-perimenopause-skin-treatment.aspx
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Good article, but I'm disappointed in you that you show a woman that looks far too young to be starting perimenopause, let alone menopause. When articles are about women at least well into their 30s, let alone 40s and 50s, a photo with it should depict a woman of that age. Women of this age are just as beautiful as women in their 20s, and I've come to expect more of this newsletter than following society's norms for beauty.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: