Every woman in her lifetime will go through menopause either naturally or surgically.  Surgical menopause is defined when ovaries are removed from the body during a medical procedure.  But what exactly is perimenopause?  Peri menopause is that defined as the stage in your life when your body starts its transition into menopause.  Perimenpause are the years leading up to menopause.  Now the timeframe varies from woman to woman but on average can last from 2 - 10 years.  It also includes the first year after your final menstrual cycle.  Prominent perimenopause symptoms are changes to your periods.  They may lengthen or shorten and the amount of blood flow may start to change.

Perimenopause often starts in women in their 40's but there are cases of peri menopausal women in their 30's.  The length of the perimenopausal cycle varies from person to person.  Talking to your mother and sisters may give you some indication when it may occur for you, but again there are no guarantees in the timing.  As you go through stage in your life, your body's production of progestin and estrogen changes and fluctuates.  These hormonal fluctuations are what cause the signs and symptoms of perimenopause.

Perimenopause symptoms include emotional, psychological and physical signs.  The most common include:

• Hot flashes - these are experienced by 70-85% of all women and are most common early in the morning or later at night (could be the reason for night sweats)
• Insomnia and other sleep problems - could be caused by hot flashes and night sweats
• Changes in menstrual cycles and flow - periods could become longer apart, blood could reduce or increase significantly due to changes in hormone levels
• Mood swings including increased anxiety, depression and irritability - may be a result of poor sleeping patterns
• Vaginal dryness - caused by lower levels of estrogen causing the vaginal tissue to lose lubricating abilities and elasticity (it is often recommended to use lubrication during intercourse to reduce pain and discomfort)
• Incontinence - loss of bladder control is a huge concern and common perimenopause symptom
• Loss of libido - again, changes in hormone levels can be the cause
• Loss of bone mass due to decreased levels of estrogen

If you are concerned that you are entering peri menopause and you have concerns about the risk factors, it is that you speak with your doctor immediately.  But what exactly are the risks of perimenopause?  So what are the risks associated with early menopause?  Well, they include:

• Heart disease - it is believed that early menopause may be linked to heart disease
• Family history - if your mother or sisters experienced early menopause, there is a good chance you will as well
• Smoking - women who smoke experience the onset of menopause earlier than non smokers
• Surgically removing the ovaries for health reasons will cause early menopause.

There are a number of differently methods for treating perimenopause symptoms ranging from dietary changes, to including more exercising, reducing alcohol, drugs and caffeine and more.  If you think you are entering the perimenopause stage in your life, it is important to speak to your doctor to ensure your body is coping well and you are in good health.

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