The perimenopause is a confusing time for women. The perimenopause is a distinct transition between the reproductive years and cessation of menses. This article will hopefully help to explain and offer treatment options for this often frustrating transition. The World Health Organization defines the onset of the perimenopause as the beginning of menstrual cycle changes. Early perimenopause changes include the first break in regular cycling of menses. Late perimenopause is classified after missing 3 to 11 months of menses, while menopause is reached after 12 months of no menstrual flow. Women usually notice the onset of perimenopause symptoms during their 40’s and irregularities usually persist for approximately 5 years.
The range of perimenopause symptom duration may be quite variable, from 2 to 8 years, or even longer. In general, the later in life that perimenopause symptoms begin, the shorter the transition to menopause. The hormonal changes taking place probably represent the major cause of symptoms experienced. These changes can produce many symptoms that are traditionally thought to only occur after menopause.
Contrary to popular belief, the perimenopause may be associated with elevations of estrogen levels. However, these elevations are generally followed by abrupt falls in estrogen levels. The constantly changing hormone levels of the perimenopause can precipitate significant hot flashes and night sweats. The ‘peaks and valleys’ of estrogen production during the hormonal ‘roller coaster’ invariably contribute to these symptoms. Other medical conditions commonly seen during the perimenopause years that can mimic these symptoms are thyroid irregularities and diabetes.
Read more…
Categories: Hot Topics, Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms, Menopause and Perimenopause Treatments Tags: black cohosh, estrogen, Health, hormone, hot flashes, HRT, menopause, natural remedies, night sweats, Women's Health
Menopause symptoms may begin several years before your periods actually end and last for several months or several years after that. Women usually notice the beginning of perimenopause symptoms in their 40’s and irregularities usually persist for approximately five years. The average age of actual menopause in the U.S. is around 51. As women go through these steps, it is important to remember that the “change” called menopause is a natural, normal phase of female development. It is not a disease process. While we speak of symptoms and treatments, those are only comfortable terms to describe what you may be feeling and what you can do about it. While women may be scared and frustrated by what’s happening, they should not consider themselves sick as they go through this transition. At the same time, women may have important questions about the effects of changing hormones on their body and about illnesses that may become more likely with increasing age. Natural and complimentary products are widely used during the perimenopause and menopause transition, with varying degrees of clinical and/or safety data. Below is a review of some of the most popular natural products used today.
Read on for information about the most commonly used natural products during the menopause transition.
Read more…
GREEN BAY, WI, April 18, 2007-Many women are choosing dietary supplements for the management of menopausal symptoms – especially since serious health concerns have been raised about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Remifemin® black cohosh extract, the most extensively researched, non-prescription menopausal therapy has been found to safely and effectively reduce hot flashes, night sweats and irritability. Now, a study published in the International Journal of Cancer: 120, 1523-1528 (2007), has shown that this proprietary herbal product lowers the risk of breast cancer by as much as 60%.
“The standardized Remifemin® black cohosh extract has antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties,” said Dr. Eckehard Liske, Director of the International Medical Department, Schaper & Bruemmer GmbH & Co KG, Salzgitter, Germany. “Rebbeck’s research suggests that Remifemin® may help in reducing the risk of breast cancer.”
Read more…