Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause

Introduction:

Menopause is when a female has not gone through a menstrual cycle for twelve consecutive months. Women feel a lot of changes during this phase which can lead up to a phase known as perimenopause. Menopause is the end of menstruation, which usually occurs at around 45 to 50 years. In this phase, the ovaries stop producing estrogen and releasing eggs. Different stages associated with menopause are perimenopause and post-menopause. Perimenopause is also known as the menopause transitional phase because it just happens before menopause. It begins five to eight years before menopause when the ovaries produce less estrogen. Perimenopause usually starts when a female is around 40 years of age. In perimenopause, there is a drop in estrogen levels, and this can lead to menopause when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. The women can have a menstrual cycle during this period and even get pregnant.

Premenopause is when a female has periods and is considered fertile. The periods may be regular or irregular. Postmenopause is when a female has not had a period for one year. Some people may experience symptoms after the menopause transition. Females in this phase are at increased risk of developing health conditions like heart diseases and bone problems.

The late stage of perimenopause is when the woman reaches menopause. Menopause is a stage where the menstrual cycle has ended. This is the late stage of perimenopause where the woman will not get a menstrual cycle for the full 12 months and has reached menopause.

When Do Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause Occur?

• Pre means before menopause, and peri means around menopause. Health professionals do not use the term premenopause; they use the term perimenopause. Two stages of menopause are perimenopause and post-menopause.

• Estrogen levels may go up and down in a typical 28-day cycle and may lead to irregular periods. It is impossible to tell when perimenopause starts in females, but most perimenopause occurs in the mid to late 40s and lasts for four to eight years. In this stage, the estrogen levels start decreasing. The average age of menopause is 51 years.

Why Do Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause Occur?

• Menopause is defined as the absence of bleeding for twelve consecutive months. Menopause is normal if it happens on its own, but it can be due to any medical condition or surgery like surgical removal of ovaries and birth control.

• Usually, the reproductive cycle begins to decrease and stops with age. However, the ovaries make less estrogen during perimenopause, and periods change and become irregular.

What Hormonal Changes Happen During Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause?

• Menopause happens when the ovaries do not produce enough estrogen and do not release eggs. Two ovaries are present in females. They act as reproductive glands, store eggs, and produce estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones related to menstruation. Estrogen also maintains the cholesterol levels in the blood.

• During perimenopause, estrogen levels decrease, leading to an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. An imbalance of both hormones may lead to irregular periods.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause?

From puberty, the female body starts producing estrogen. Due to the up and down in estrogen levels, a female can experience various symptoms. The symptoms are different in the perimenopause and menopause stages. The symptoms can last up to ten years. They include.

• In the perimenopause stage, the symptoms may vary between months to years. The symptom includes.

• Irregular periods or the periods may get heavier or lighter or skipping periods.

• Vaginal dryness during sex.

• Night sweats.

• Discomfort during sex.

• Insomnia (sleep problems).

• An urge to pass urine more frequently.

• Breast tenderness.

• Change in mood swings like depression and irritability.

• Weight gain.

• Headache.

• Fertility issues.

• Hot flashes (feeling of warmth).

• In the menopause stage, the symptoms include.

• Anxiety.

• Hot flashes.

• Mood swings.

• Dry skin.

• Vaginal dryness.

• Fatigue.

• Frequent urination.

• Insomnia.

• Night sweats.

• Muscle and joint aches.

• Heart diseases.

• Weakening of bones.

• Reduction in the size of the vagina.

• Hair loss and thinning.

How Can Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause Be Diagnosed?

There are several ways to diagnose menopause. Some women tolerate the changes in the body, and some seek medical attention. If the symptoms interfere with daily activities like bleeding after sex, spotting between periods, or blood clots in period discharge, then a woman can make an appointment with the doctor. The doctor may diagnose the condition by asking a female about the last period. A woman without a period for an entire year may be due to menopause or perimenopause.

How Can Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause Be Managed?

Perimenopause and menopause are natural parts of life. Home care, hormone therapy, and medications can treat perimenopause and menopause. The treatment is needed if they are associated with medications or any surgery.

• Hormone Therapy - During perimenopause and menopause, the female body undergoes many hormone changes. Hormone therapy can relieve symptoms and boost hormones. If the ovaries do not produce enough estrogen and progesterone, the doctor can give hormone therapy. There are two types of hormone therapy.

• Estrogen Therapy- The doctor prescribes estrogen therapy if the estrogen levels are low. Estrogen comes in pills, creams, patches, sprays, or gels.

• Progesterone Estrogen (progestin) Hormone Therapy - It combines estrogen and progesterone therapy. Progestin is availaible in natural form.

• Medications - A doctor can prescribe menopause medications. Vaginal creams can relieve vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Antidepressant drugs can help with mood swings. Gabapentin can treat seizures and hot flashes.

• Home Remedies - Physical activity can relieve the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Regular exercise can improve mood swings and hot flashes. Yoga is a relaxing activity that can help with mood swings. Other methods include quitting smoking, limiting caffeine, avoiding spicy meals, and avoiding large meals.

How Can Perimenopause, Premenopause, and Menopause Be Prevented?

There are preventive measures to manage perimenopause, premenopause, and menopause. The preventive measures include.

• Quit smoking and alcohol.

• Doing yoga.

• Limiting cold drinks.

• Avoid spicy meals.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes.

• Pay attention to the diet.

• Limit caffeine.

• Eat more vegetables and fruits.

Conclusion:

Perimenopause, premenopause, and menopause are the natural course of the female body. Clinical and hormonal changes characterize these conditions. Most of the symptoms are manageable; sometimes, these can be associated with health issues and can be managed with medications. The majority of women are aware of perimenopause and menopause conditions. The healthcare teams, including doctors and nurses, can organize camps in rural areas to educate women about menopause and perimenopause.