Perimenopause
Menopause (the change of life) is when women stop menstruating (having periods) and their ovaries gradually stop working. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause. Perimenopause is a transition period in a woman's life and signals the beginning of the loss of fertility (ability to become pregnant) because of the body's natural aging process. Perimenopause and menopause are not diseases. They are healthy and natural parts of a woman's life.
Sometimes menopause does not happen naturally but is a result of medical treatments for health problems. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, and surgery, can cause early menopause. Removal of both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy ) for any reason starts menopause. Having a hysterectomy alone (removal of only the uterus, not the ovaries) does not cause menopause but will stop a woman's menstrual periods. Medical studies have shown that having a hysterectomy may speed the start of natural menopause by 1 to 2 years. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 40 and 55 years. Earlier natural menopause is more common in women who smoke, women who have had a hysterectomy without ovary removal, and women whose mothers and sisters have had earlier menopause. Most women experience hot flashes, which can last for 1 to 30 minutes but are usually 2 or 3 minutes long. Some women may have hot flashes for several years, and other women only have them for a short time.
Irregular menstrual periods
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Difficulty sleeping
Mood swings
Abnormal vaginal bleeding—See your doctor if this occurs because there are other causes besides perimenopause.
Heart disease—Control high blood pressure and diabetes, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Osteoporosis (brittle bones)—Take calcium supplements and exercise regularly
Pain during sexual intercourse due to thinning and dryness of the vaginal walls
Sleep disturbances
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been often prescribed to control menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Recent medical studies have shown that HRT does not prevent heart disease in postmenopausal women and may increase the risk of breast cancer. You should discuss your individual benefits and risks of HRT with your doctor.
Regular exercise may reduce the intensity of hot flashes
Eating food rich in soy proteins (isoflavones); legumes (beans and peanuts) may also help hot flashes
Vaginal lubricants may ease dryness and pain associated with sexual intercourse
Wearing clothing in layers and avoiding what triggers hot flashes (exposure to a hot environment, hot drinks, spicy food, alcohol, and stress)
Alternative treatments, such as phytoestrogens (plant-based substances) and black cohosh (an herb), should be discussed with your doctor because they may interfere with some medications
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
800/762-2264
http://www.acog.org
National Women's Health Resource Center
800/994-WOMAN (9662)
http://www.healthywomen.org/
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JAMA. 2003;289(7):940. doi:10.1001/jama.289.7.940.
Menopause (the change of life) is when women stop menstruating (having periods) and their ovaries gradually stop working. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause. Perimenopause is a transition period in a woman's life and signals the beginning of the loss of fertility (ability to become pregnant) because of the body's natural aging process. Perimenopause and menopause are not diseases. They are healthy and natural parts of a woman's life.
Sometimes menopause does not happen naturally but is a result of medical treatments for health problems. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, and surgery, can cause early menopause. Removal of both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy ) for any reason starts menopause. Having a hysterectomy alone (removal of only the uterus, not the ovaries) does not cause menopause but will stop a woman's menstrual periods. Medical studies have shown that having a hysterectomy may speed the start of natural menopause by 1 to 2 years. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 40 and 55 years. Earlier natural menopause is more common in women who smoke, women who have had a hysterectomy without ovary removal, and women whose mothers and sisters have had earlier menopause. Most women experience hot flashes, which can last for 1 to 30 minutes but are usually 2 or 3 minutes long. Some women may have hot flashes for several years, and other women only have them for a short time.
SYMPTOMS OF PERIMENOPAUSE
HEALTH CONCERNS DURING MENOPAUSES
WAYS TO EASE SYMPTOMS DURING PERIMENOPAUSE
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been often prescribed to control menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Recent medical studies have shown that HRT does not prevent heart disease in postmenopausal women and may increase the risk of breast cancer. You should discuss your individual benefits and risks of HRT with your doctor.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.acog.org
http://www.healthywomen.org/
<< Back to article index...
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PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.