FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause refers to the phase of life that precedes menopause. Perimenopause can begin in your mid to late 30s, but for most women, it begins in their mid to late 40s. For many women, it is an optimal time to reassess their health.
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as the final menstrual period and is usually confirmed when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious causes). Menopause is associated with reduced functioning of the ovaries due to aging, resulting in lower levels of estrogen and other hormones. It marks the permanent end of fertility. Menopause occurs, on average, at age 51. It occurs most often between ages 45 and 55.
What changes can I expect to face in perimenopause and menopause?
Each woman’s menopause experience is different. Many women who undergo natural menopause report no physical changes at all during the perimenopausal years except irregular menstrual periods that eventually stop when they reach menopause.
Other changes may include hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, memory problems, mood disturbances, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. Not all of these changes are hormone-related, and some, such as hot flashes and memory problems, tend to resolve after menopause. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this time of transition is essential for your health and can even prevent or reduce the impact of these changes.
Other changes may include hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, memory problems, mood disturbances, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. Not all of these changes are hormone-related, and some, such as hot flashes and memory problems, tend to resolve after menopause. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this time of transition is essential for your health and can even prevent or reduce the impact of these changes.
HOW DO MY HORMONE LEVELS IMPACT MENOPAUSE?
Progesterone is usually the first hormone to decline as we age, beginning as early as our late 30s. Progesterone is thought to regulate the timing of our menstrual cycles, the quality of our sleep, our mood, and is required to balance estrogen.
Estrogen, on the other hand, is thought to be responsible for building up the lining within the uterus, maintaining our brain power, helping maintain our body temperature, and keeps our tissues healthy and hydrated.
Testosterone is the hormone for energy and metabolism, sex drive (or libido), and provides a sense of self-confidence.
When our hormones are out of balance due to a decline or excess of one versus another, then we will begin to experience symptoms common with menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, lack of energy, insomnia, and anxiety.
Estrogen, on the other hand, is thought to be responsible for building up the lining within the uterus, maintaining our brain power, helping maintain our body temperature, and keeps our tissues healthy and hydrated.
Testosterone is the hormone for energy and metabolism, sex drive (or libido), and provides a sense of self-confidence.
When our hormones are out of balance due to a decline or excess of one versus another, then we will begin to experience symptoms common with menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, lack of energy, insomnia, and anxiety.
