WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE

Perimenopause is a natural change in a woman's aging process that signals the end of the reproductive years and they are entering the menopause phase.

The beginning stages of perimenopause a woman's ovaries stop working as effectively and the body produces less estrogen and progesterone; thus losing the ability to reproduce.

When estrogen levels reach their lowest point the periods will stop. Most women will notice changes in their periods years before they enter the menopause phase.

Women in their early 30s have reported the signs and symptoms of perimenopause but the average age range for women to start experiencing these changes is between 45 to 55 years old.

Dr. Ortman-Nabi and her experienced staff can help ease this transition period with treatments designed to help you cope with your change.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

How do I know if I am experiencing perimenopause changes?

All Care for Women has some helpful information to help you recognize your body's changes.

• Menstrual Changes: As your hormone levels change a woman's periods can become irregular, be lighter or heavier than normal.

• Hot Flashes: Sudden feelings of warm in the upper body.

• Night Sweats: Hot flashes that happen while you sleep and are followed by a chill.

• Trouble Sleeping: You may experience trouble sleeping without night sweats.

• Bone Changes: Lower levels of estrogen being produced in the body can increase a woman's risk of osteoporosis.

• Vaginal Changes: During this transition vaginal dryness and infections can occur.

• Mood Swings: Due to the lack of sleep this can cause mood changes, irritability and decreased sex drive.

COPING WITH PERIMENOPAUSE

We have several natural and synthetic tips to help you cope with water retention, painful periods, spotting and excessive bleeding as well as migraines.

Here are some tips from All Care for Women to help women through perimenopause:

• Staying Active: Make aerobic activity apart of your daily routine to boost energy, help you sleep better at night, and can help you decrease your odds of developing osteoporosis.

• Spending time outdoors: The sunlight’s natural rays can help raise levels of certain brain chemicals that will boost your mood and give your body exposure to Vitamin D.

• Eat Healthy: By having a well balanced diet of calcium-rich foods, wholegrain foods, vegetables, and fruits can lower your risk to develop osteoporosis and heart disease. If you are experiencing hot flashes you should avoid alcohol and caffeine products.

• Medication: There are certain medications designed to help relieve the effects of perimenopause.

• Low-dose birth control pills: Doctors often prescribe low doses to help control periods and to restore estrogen and progesterone levels in a woman’s body.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT contains lower doses and is a safer option for women who have negative sides effective to birth control pills.

• Antidepressants: Due to the changes hormonal changes during this transition it is common for women to show signs of depression or anxiety. If at anytime you begin feeling empty, sad, or helpless you should contact your physician immediately. The antidepressants prescribed by your physician are designed to help balance brain chemicals and hormone levels.