{"id":218,"date":"2018-01-10T07:32:12","date_gmt":"2018-01-10T07:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=218"},"modified":"2021-10-04T09:47:22","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T09:47:22","slug":"12-perimenopause-symptoms-that-scare-all-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/12-perimenopause-symptoms-that-scare-all-women\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Perimenopause Symptoms That Scare All Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Perimenopause refers to a time in a woman\u2019s life when the hormones progesterone and estrogen levels drop. A woman who has not had a period for twelve months in a row has reached the stage of menopause. Before menopause occurs, a woman goes through what is referred to as perimenopause.<\/p>\n

This may last from four to ten years.<\/p>\n

Many women start to experience the symptoms of perimenopause when they are in their forties. There are even some women who start to have symptoms during their thirties. On average, a woman is about 51 years old when they reach menopause. This transition period is marked by fluctuations in hormone levels. FSH levels start to increase about five years before menopause occurs. It is during this time when women begin to experience several symptoms of perimenopause.<\/p>\n

Many of the symptoms of perimenopause mimic other health conditions as well. This is is why it is important to discuss all of your symptoms with a physician to determine if perimenopause is the root of the problem.<\/p>\n

Here is a list of twelve perimenopause symptoms that many women may experience. These symptoms can be quite scary, but most are manageable with the right medications and self-care.<\/p>\n

1. Changes in Periods<\/h3>\n

During perimenopause<\/a>, you may start to notice some changes in your period. Your periods may last longer or be shorter or you may even skip a month or two at a time. This is all normal. It is important to note that even though these changes in your period are occurring, this does not mean that you cannot get pregnant at this time, but it may be more difficult to become pregnant.<\/p>\n

If you notice changes in your period, discuss it with your doctor. There are several tests and treatments that your doctor may provide in order to help with the irregularity of your periods during this transition time.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Hot Flashes<\/h3>\n

Hot flashes can begin as early as 10 years or more before actual menopause<\/a> occurs. This is one symptom that many women find quite distressing during perimenopause or menopause. A hot flash is a sudden wave of heat that occurs in the upper area of the body.<\/p>\n

Some women will get red blotches on their chest, arms, and face during the hot flash. Heavy sweating is common during a hot flash as well. Many women experience hot flashes at night when they are trying to sleep. These flushes are caused by a decrease in hormone levels.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Vaginal Dryness<\/h3>\n

Drops in estrogen levels can cause vaginal dryness to occur. As estrogen levels go down, the tissues in the urethra thin and the pelvic muscles may weaken. All of this may also lead to not only vaginal dryness but incontinence as well. A woman going through perimenopause may have soreness<\/a>, discomfort, itching, and pain during sex.<\/p>\n

While vaginal dryness is uncomfortable, there are some things that can be done to help. There are water-based lubricants that can be used. If the symptom is severe, your doctor may prescribe topical estrogen cream or hormone therapy.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Brittle Nails<\/h3>\n

There are several underlying conditions that may cause a person to have brittle nails. The appearance of your nails can say a lot about your general habits and health. During menopause, the nails may become brittle or softer. You may notice that the nails break or split quite easily.<\/p>\n

This may indicate a nutritional deficiency or in the case of a menopausal woman, a hormone imbalance.<\/a> Lower estrogen levels can cause the body to become dehydrated. This leads to the skin, nails, and hair becoming drier. Aside from becoming brittle, the nails may also develop ridges or infections in the cuticles or in the nail bed.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Difficulty Sleeping<\/h3>\n

Many women that are going through perimenopause find that they have difficulty sleeping. This is often because of night sweats as well as other symptoms that occur during this time. A lack of sleep can cause difficulty in your daily life as you are always feeling tired.<\/p>\n

To help combat difficulty sleeping, get into a good nighttime routine. Read a book in bed to wind down and avoid large meals that could interfere with your sleep. Eliminating caffeine<\/a> is important as well. Establishing a regular bedtime and wake up time can help as well.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Mood Changes<\/h3>\n

Around the time of perimenopause, many women start to experience changes in their mood. A woman may experience both highs and lows in their mood throughout the day. Many women also experience anxiety during this time. Women who have severe PMS<\/a> often will experience the most severe changes in mood during perimenopause.<\/p>\n

However, mood swings are common for just about every woman during this time frame as hormones fluctuate. If you start to experience distressing thoughts or severe mood symptoms, discuss it with your doctor. There are many effective treatments available for anxiety and other mood conditions.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Depression<\/h3>\n

It is normal to have feelings of sadness for short periods of time, especially if there is something particular going on in your life. However, feeling sad for long periods of time without any reason to the point of it impairing your day to day life, could be a signal of a depressive disorder.<\/p>\n

Depression<\/a> can occur to anyone at any age. Changes in hormones that occur during menopause could be one of the many reasons that a person develops a depressive disorder. It is important to discuss your depression with a professional in order to get the help that you need.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Memory Loss<\/h3>\n

One often distressing symptom of perimenopause is memory loss. Lower amounts of estrogen being produced can cause a woman to have some memory loss.<\/p>\n

However, if you are experiencing extreme issues with memory loss<\/a> it is important to make sure to discuss it with your doctor as it could be a sign of something more serious. Memory loss during perimenopause may include simply losing your train of thought, misplacing items, or forgetting appointments. If you notice this occurring, visit your doctor for an evaluation.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Thinning Bones<\/h3>\n

During perimenopause, a woman may start to experience bone loss. This is caused by a drop in estrogen levels. As the loss of minerals in bones occurs, the risk of developing osteoporosis<\/a> increases. Your doctor may check your bone density using a special x-ray.<\/p>\n

It is important to make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium during perimenopause in order to keep your bones as strong and healthy as possible. Weight-bearing exercises can help as well. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day to help improve your overall health.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Joint Pain<\/h3>\n

In addition to bone loss comes pain within the joints. Nearly half of all women going through perimenopause and menopause experience some type of joint pain. Joint pain<\/a> is described as pains in the muscles or joints that cannot be explained and is not caused by overexertion or exercise.<\/p>\n

It is likely caused by the fluctuating levels of hormones in the body. Estrogen is used to prevent joint inflammation, so when production decreases, inflammation is more likely to occur, which in turn increases pain within the joints.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Headaches<\/h3>\n

A drop in the amount of estrogen in the body can cause headaches<\/a> that are more frequent and intense. There are a number of different factors that can cause a person to get a headache such as a side effect of the flu, muscle tension, dehydration, or overindulging in alcohol.<\/p>\n

Headaches are linked to hormonal imbalances as well, and for this reason, a woman going through menopause may find that she has more frequent headaches that are quite intense. These headaches can disrupt a woman\u2019s quality of life and should be treated professionally.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Burning Tongue<\/h3>\n

Burning tongue or burning mouth syndrome occurs when there is a burning pain inside the mouth and no signs of any type of irritation. The pain occurs on the lips or the tongue or possibly throughout the entire mouth and there are no visible signs of any type of irritation.<\/p>\n

It is often accompanied by other symptoms<\/a> such as a bad taste in the mouth or bad breath. This symptom typically occurs after a person is age 60, but may occur at any age. This disorder is associated with several conditions including menopause. The low levels of estrogen during menopause may be a factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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