Premenopause is also referred to as the perimenopause phase. It is a phase in the life of a woman just before the start of menopause or the one that signals the onset of menopause. Most women start experiencing these premenopausal symptoms at around age 45. This phase comes with its own set of symptoms due to the fluctuation in hormone levels. These symptoms usually last from one to six years.
Disturbance in the Menstrual Cycle
Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. With aging, the ovaries begin to make a decreasing amount of estrogen, so the most common symptom of premenopause is a change in the menstrual cycle. Due to reduced estrogen level, the cycle might shorten, resulting in frequent periods. But in exceptional cases, some women might face longer cycles and can even skip periods.
Physical Symptoms
Due to the reduction in the level of estrogen, women can also experience hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, heavy or scant bleeding, urinary tract infections, hair loss, dry eyes, reduced metabolic rate, headaches, vaginal dryness, breast tenderness, joint pain or stiffness, a feeling of sluggishness in the morning and sleep problems.
Emotional Symptoms
There can also be various emotional changes with premenopause, such as irritability, moodiness, drastic mood swings, forgetfulness, depression, anxiety, inability to handle stress, loss of sexual arousal and helplessness. The level and severity of these symptoms varies from woman to woman. For some women, these symptoms may be mild, while others' experience may be severe enough to require medical attention. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe hormone therapy or medications such as Medications such as Prozac and Zoloft to control emotional changes.
Bone Loss and Increased Cardiovascular Risk
Hormonal imbalance reduces the bone mineral density (BMD) and lipid profile, which can lead to osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. It is advisable to increase the intake of calcium rich food like milk, cheese and green leafy vegetables. Women in premenopause should also take in lots of fruits and cruciferous vegetables like watercress, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage to reduce the risk of heart diseases. Exercising can also have tremendous effect in maintaining the bone mass and cardiovascular strength.
Hence the diet of women in this phase should include bioflavonoids, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin C, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, borage oil, and vitamin B12. Soyproteins can also assist in reducing the severity of these symptoms.
