Coping with Perimenopause

What is perimenopause? How is perimenopause diagnosed? In this article, you'll learn what perimenopause is, how it's diagnosed, symptoms and treatment.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the months or years leading up to menopause. The ovaries begin to decline in function causing a variety of symptoms. Most women go through this stage between the ages of 35 and 45.

How is perimenopause diagnosed?

Perimenopause is a gradual transition, and no one test can determine if you've entered menopause. Blood tests to check hormone levels may be beneficial, but the best indicators are a woman's age and symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Each woman will experience perimenopause differently. You may experience some of the following symptoms:

Irregular menstruation

Hot flashes

Night sweats

Depression

Anxiety

Palpitations

Dry skin

Vaginal dryness and loss of interest in sex

Fuzzy thinking

Eating and weight issues

Insomnia

Back pain

Bone loss leading to osteoporosis

Urinary changes

Thinning hair, hair growth on face

What tests can be done to determine if you are in perimenopause?

Most of the symptoms of perimenopause are caused by a hormone imbalance. One of the ways you can tell if you have a hormonal imbalance is by taking a saliva hormone test. Your doctor can order the test or you can order a kit and test yourself at home. Your symptoms will determine which hormones to test. Check with your health insurer to see if this kit is covered.

One blood test to determine your estrogen levels is the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). The follicle stimulating hormone is the chemical the pituitary gland secrets to signal our ovary to begin ovulation. The best day to have your blood taken is day five of your menstrual cycle.

What is the treatment?

Low dose birth control pills like LoEstrin and Alesse, can reduce hot flashes and vaginal dryness, back pain, and help regulate irregular or heavy periods. They may also protect against bone loss leading to osteoporosis. These low dose pills have just 20 micrograms of estrogen, compared to 30 to 50 micrograms of estrogen in regular birth control pills. This lower level of estrogen is safer for women in perimenopause.

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), restores estrogen levels in perimenopausal women and can help minimize mood swings insomnia, vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
There is a downside to HRT- research has shown that it increases risk for cancer, stroke, and heart attack.

How can I prevent the symptoms of perimenopause?

A healthy diet plan will help you transition through perimenopause more easily. Curbing carbs such as bread, pasta, and sweets will alleviate the mood swings and low energy you may be experiencing and alleviates depression. This is the time that you need more protein, so if you're having rice, have a piece of chicken with it. Add calcium rich foods like milk, cheese and yogurt to your diet or take a calcium supplement to meet your daily calcium requirement of 1500 mg. a day.

Regular exercise of at least 30 minutes a day helps keep weight down, helps you sleep better, and improves mood.

Magnesium may help with palpitations and if you are deficient in magnesium, you may be more prone to depression, memory loss, anxiety and irritability.

In some studies, the herb black cohosh, was shown to decrease hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, depression, and sleep problems. Consult your doctor before taking black cohosh as it can cause stomach discomfort and liver problems.