Premenopause

Premenopause refers to the period during which the body produces the natural transition to menopause marks the end of the reproductive years. Premenopause is also called the menopausal transition.

Women undergo premenopause at different ages. You will observe the symptoms of progression towards menopause, like menstrual irregularity in the early 40s of your age. Some women experience these signs in the mid-30s.

Signs and Symptoms

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Hot flushes and sleeping problems.
• Mood changes
• Vaginal and bladder problems.
• The decrease in fertility.
• Changes in sexual function.
• Bone loss
• Changes in cholesterol levels.

When should I see a Doctor?

Some women seek medical attention for their perimenopausal symptoms. However, others tolerate changes or simply do not have symptoms that are intense enough to require attention. Since the signs may be subtle and appear gradually, you may not realize at the beginning that everyone is connected to the same thing: the increase and decrease in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, another critical female hormone.

Causes

During the menopausal transition, female body’s production of estrogen and progesterone increases and decreases. A lot of changes you experience during premenopause are a consequence of the reduction of estrogen.

Risk Factors

• Smoke
• History of the family
• Treatment for cancer with chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy has been linked to early menopause.
• Hysterectomy

Diagnosis

• Hormone level test
• Medical history

Treatment

Drug therapy is often taken into account to treat the symptoms of premenopause.

• Hormone therapy Systemic estrogen therapy, which comes in pill, skin patch, gel or cream form, remains the most effective treatment option to relieve premenopause and menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
• Vaginal estrogen: Estrogens can be administered directly into the vagina using a vaginal tablet, ring or cream to relieve dryness.
• Certain antidepressants belong to the class of medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can reduce menopausal hot flashes.
• Gabapentin (Neurontin). Gabapentin is approved to treat seizures, but it has also been shown to help reduce hot flashes. This drug is useful in women who cannot use estrogen therapy for health reasons and in those who have migraines.