We all hear and read a lot of information about menopause. But how many women in their 40's are actually aware of that masquerading and unrecognized period of time prior to menopause? This is known as the peri menopause.
It is absolutely imperative that women be aware of their state of health, lifestyle choices contributing to imbalance, and nutritional status when approaching this rarely spoken of transition.
Taking care to support the body during this time will make the transition easier and will decrease the frequency and intensity of some common symptoms!
Menopause is defined as the time of life when a woman actually stops menstruating, it indicates the end of fertility. The approximate age of menopause is between 47-53. Periods have to stop for an entire 12 months to be clearly defined as menopause.
Peri menopause however occurs 3-6 years prior to total cessation of the menstrual cycle. Several years before a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries will slow their production of the hormones progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. The total hormonal transition can take up to 10 years for some women.
A woman's body generally goes through a physiological transition over the course of those 3-6 years as menopause approaches. Hormonal changes that signal the beginning of the peri menopausal period most likely occur in the mid 40's.
Common early symptoms of peri menopause include periods becoming irregular, either shorter or longer, or menstruation becoming lighter, or significantly heavier. Periods can completely stop for several months too.
The duration of the peri menopausal period can vary according to health status, diet, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, level of physical activity, heredity, and several other contributing factors.
Symptoms to be aware of which indicate a start of decline in ovarian function include:
- insomnia
- mood swings
- "fuzzy" thinking
- night sweats
- hot flashes
- decreased interest in sex
- vaginal itchiness or dryness
- poor concentration and memory
- dry skin, loss of elasticity, greater awareness of appearance of aging
- weight gain or inability to lose weight
- anxiety
- reduced stamina
- feelings of bloating
- breast swelling and tenderness
- hypoglycemic episodes
- urinary incontinence
The reason why there has been so much attention given to estrogen is because estrogen is not only essential for reproduction, it also acts on many non reproductive organs and systems in the body!
Cells in the vagina, breasts, arteries, bones, bladder, liver, heart and brain ALL contain estrogen receptors for their normal cell function.
For example, estrogen is needed to keep the skin smooth and moist, its also necessary for proper bone formation. Therefore there have been publicized links between declining estrogen levels and later development of osteoporosis.
The reason why women start gaining weight or are unable to shift stubborn weight in their 40s and 50s is because their body is actually trying to maintain biological balance. Our fat stores actually help produce a small amount of estrogen.
So if weight gain is a predominant issue, rather than starving, dieting and exercising madly, middle aged women can save some time, frustration, unnecessary guilt, suffering and instead, get their hormone profile evaluated thoroughly. Salivary and urine samples could also be a good idea to gain more clarity.
The more nutritionally depleted women are by the time they are in their mid 40s will reflect on how smoothly the peri menopause and menopause transition will be.
It is critical that women nourish and educate themselves, and take time to honor their body. This will serve as a long term investment and help prevent serious issues later such as cardiovascular disease, hip fractures, vaginal atrophy, and osteoporosis.
The 'middle years' are a powerful time of life for women which should be seen as a great opportunity for personal growth.
Entering knowingly into the peri menopausal transition with confidence, a basic understanding and greater clarity can usher in an empowering time to perhaps finally start living much more fully with authenticity, intuition and creativity.
it
is also the biggest opportunity for personal growth and empowerment
since adolescence. - See more at:
http://www.drnorthrup.com/perimenopause-transition/#sthash.GLcb85D7.dpuf
it
is also the biggest opportunity for personal growth and empowerment
since adolescence. - See more at:
http://www.drnorthrup.com/perimenopause-transition/#sthash.GLcb85D7.dpuf
In my next blog I will write more about definitive instructions regarding dietary supplementation and lifestyle
changes that every woman in her 40's should start implementing, or at
least be aware of..If this information resonated and you too are interested in reaching your highest potential please subscribe..
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Joanna Kujath, N.D.
Hi Joanna,
ReplyDeleteGreat article!! I was in my mid 30's when experiencing the symptoms for premenopause (not all of them, but alt least 3).
When I read Dr. John R. Lee's book "What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause" I was already then in my mid 40's and looking back I have realized that I was already in premenopause back then.
I guess, the modern times we are living in makes this possible? All the stress and living life on a fast track certainly will contribute to this.
Wonderful article, thanks for sharing it.
Sylvia
Hi,
ReplyDeleteDuring the menopause transition years, as the body responds to the rapidly fluctuating and dropping levels of the body's own hormones, a number of effects may appear. Not every woman experiences bothersome levels of these effects; the degree to which they occur varies greatly from person to person.fertility acupuncture philadelphia