Menopause is a condition that affects women later in life. Menopause is caused by the ovaries shutting down and no longer producing hormones. Before menopause occurs, there is a condition known as perimenopause (also known as premenopause) which is caused by the ovaries beginning to slow down and prepare for menopause.
Identification
Perimenopause is the period of time in which a woman starts to notice menopausal changes. During this time the ovaries are beginning to shut down, although they are not completely inactive. Perimenopause is a sign that a woman's time of fertility is coming to an end.
Age
According to the Ohio State University Medical Center and menopause.org, premenopause most commonly begins one to six years before the onset of menopause. Because menopause begins on average at the age of 51, this means that premenopause typically will begin sometime between the ages of 45 and 50. However, premenopause can begin as early as ten years before menopause begins.
Perimenopause and Pregnancy
Although perimenopause signals the reproductive system slowing down, it is still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause. Because the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and ovulation does not occur every month, conception can be difficult. However, it is possible for a woman to get pregnant until she has gone a full year without a menstrual cycle. Many women in perimenopause who wish to become pregnant use fertility drugs to aid them. Because women in premenopause may not ovulate every month, it can be difficult to predict when ovulation (and, as a result, conception) will occur. Consequently, fertility drugs that help induce ovulation can be very effective. These medications include clomiphene and follicle stimulating hormone.
Symptoms
The symptoms of perimenopause are caused by the decrease in sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. In some cases these symptoms are similar to those experienced during pre-menstrual syndrome. Perimenopause can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle, vaginal dryness and changes in a woman's sex drive. Other symptoms of the changing levels of hormones include hot flashes and excessive sweating at night. Because hair follicles also respond to sex hormones, women in perimenopause can experience the loss of hair on their head (also known as alopecia) coupled with the appearance or increase of facial hair. Mental and emotional symptoms include problems with focusing, rapid mood swings, and problems sleeping. Perimenopause can also cause headaches, pain in the joints or muscles, and increased frequency of urination.
Treatments
One of the simplest treatments for perimenopause is eating a healthy and balanced diet. Some physicians recommend eating more soy and flaxseed, as these foods can help raise estrogen levels. Other lifestyle changes that are effective include relaxation techniques, exercise and stress minimization. Many women also take hormonal birth control to relieve the symptoms, as these treatments can help stabilize hormone levels. Other times progesterone supplementation is prescribed. Physicians may also recommend taking antidepressants to help prevent mood swings.
