Too Young for Menopause? It Might be Perimenopause…

“What’s up with these hot flashes, irregular periods and mood swings? It can’t be menopause…  I haven’t even hit my 40th yet!!!”

If that sounds familiar, what you may be starting to experience is perimenopause, a time period when a woman’s body is transitioning into menopause. A time of hormones going haywire…and all the potentially distressing symptoms that go along with that!

This transition can last anywhere between a few months to 10 years – although the average length is 4 years. 

Symptoms of perimenopause include:

  • Breast tenderness
  • Lower sex drive
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Discomfort during intercourse
  • Hot flashes
  • Irregular menstrual cycle
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • An urgent need to urinate
  • Urine leakage

I know… it sounds really bad. BUT there are things you can do!

Living an overall healthy lifestyle is the most important step you can take! Eat well, exercise, keep to a consistent sleep schedule, and reduce your life stresses where you can.

Additionally there are medical treatments you can look into.

Some new and effective treatments include the Mona Lisa Touch Laser, which uses a laser to reduce symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, bladder infections and pain during intercourse.

Another breakthrough therapy is Bio-identical hormones. Individual testing is done to determine your specific hormone imbalance, and preparation of a natural hormone replacement is formulated, and prepared especially for you. The natural hormones then works in sync with your body, clearing up the hormone imbalance and the resulting symptoms.

Additional treatments include:

  • Gabapentin, a medication used to treat hot flashes.
  • Hormone therapy in the form of pills, skin patch or cream are also used to treat hot flashes and night sweats.
  • Certain antidepressants may be used to treat hot flashes as well as mood disorders brought on or made worse by perimenopause.
  • Vaginal estrogen may be used to relieve vaginal dryness.

If raging mood swings, depression, hot flashes, erratic menstrual cycle, insomnia, and a host of other overwhelming symptoms have taken over your life, please try making some healthy adjustments to your lifestyle, and schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Changes in your menstrual cycle can also indicate other, more potentially serious issues (like hormone problems, fibroids…and rarely cancer), so ALWAYS discuss any changes with your doctor and schedule an appointment to rule these out.