Menopause, the permanent cessation of menstruation, doesn't occur overnight (although many women may wish it did). Doctors now recognize that the years leading to menopause bring many changes to a woman's body. This transitional time is known as premenopause, also called perimenopause. Women may experience a variety of symptoms during this time.
Menstrual Cycle Changes
During premenopause, a woman's menstrual cycle may become erratic. This occurs because as a woman becomes older she has fewer primordial follicles, which are the eggs surrounded by layers of cells. During the reproductive years, about 6 to 12 primordial follicles begin to grow each month. One follicle becomes bigger than the others, releasing estrogen to signal the pituitary gland to stop making the follicle-stimulating hormone. The smaller follicles then die; the large one goes on to release the egg.
As the number of follicles diminishes, there may be some months when an egg is not released, resulting in a missed menstrual cycle. The length of the cycle may also change due to the change as well. Some may experience shorter than normal cycles due to a change in hormone levels; others may experience longer than normal cycles due to a lack of ovulation.
Hormone Imbalance
Hormones are chemicals produced in the body to help regulate bodily functions. The hormone estrogen is produced and released by the primordial follicles. The reduction in the number of follicles causes a reduction in estrogen. This results in a variety of symptoms of premenopause, including hot flashes, irritability, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances and mood swings. In fact, doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that 65 percent to 75 percent of women experience hot flashes during premenopause.
Weight Gain
Women to Women reports that weight gain, especially in the abdomen, is the No. 1 complaint of women in perimenopause. Although it's generally believed that this is part of the rite of passage into menopause, it's due to fluctuating hormone levels and can be avoided. When the ovaries and follicles fail to produce enough estrogen, the body depends on other secondary sites of production, including fat cells. To try to regain the balance of hormones, the body then hoards fat cells. This results in weight gain.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a symptom experienced by approximately one-third of women in premenopause, according to Women to Women. The hair loss is caused by a decrease in estrogen levels. Testosterone levels remain the same. This causes an excess of testosterone that can cause hair loss from the head and stimulate hair growth in other areas of the body.
Loss of Libido
Many women begin to feel a loss of sexual desire, or loss of libido, during the years leading to menopause. This may be due to the decline in estrogen levels, which affect the environment of the vagina. A decrease in estrogen causes a decrease in the production of collagen, a fibrous protein in skin and connective tissues. This causes skin to be thinner and drier. This can result in discomfort during sexual intercourse and can cause a woman to lose her desire.
