Perimenopause is the phase of a woman's life leading up to menopause. During this phase, the ovaries release eggs less regularly and begin to produce less estrogen and other hormones. Consequently, women may begin to have irregular menstrual cycles and experience symptoms that usually mark the onset of "the change." In this article, we'll discuss perimenopause and how to cope with the changes that are happening in your life.
Menopause actually occurs when a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods. Perimenopause is the transitional period of time before menstruation completely stops, and generally starts between one and six years before menopause. Some experts believe that it can actually start up to 10 years before menopause. Women typically experience mood changes, changes in sexual desire, difficulty in concentrating, headaches, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, joint and muscle aches, extreme sweating, frequent urination and symptoms that are similar to premenstrual syndrome.
Lifestyle counseling is important for all perimenopausal women, because good health habits can reduce the incidence of chronic health problems later in life. A healthy lifestyle should include good nutrition, exercise, and abstaining from smoking and drinking to excess.
A healthy diet, low in fat and high in grains, fruits, and vegetables can benefit women going through pre-menopause and menopause because it reduces their risk of hypertension, osteoporosis and weight gain. Adequate calcium intake is especially important to maintain bone density as estrogen levels decline. Women should get calcium from dietary sources, such as low-fat or non-fat dairy products, greens, broccoli, canned sardines and salmon, fortified orange juice and cereal.
In addition to eating a healthy, calcium rich diet, women going through perimenopause and menopause should step up their level of physical activity. Regular aerobic exercise helps to decrease hot flashes, depression, insomnia and weight gain. Aerobic exercises offer additional benefits, such as reducing the risk of coronary artery disease, while weight-bearing exercises like weight lifting and jogging builds bone density. Peri menopausal women should be encouraged to perform moderate aerobic and weight-bearing exercise at least three times per week.
The years leading up to menopause don't have to a roller coaster ride of physical and emotional ups and downs. If you are experiencing symptoms like fatigue, an irregular menstrual cycle and depression, then consult your doctor for treatment options that are available to you. Even if you have a hectic schedule, women experiencing perimenopause and menopause have to make a commitment to taking care of their health in order to combat the drop in estrogen. Even minor lifestyle changes can significantly improve your overall feeling of wellness.
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