Peri-Menopause

Peri-menopause is one of the most confusing & vague terms applied to women.  It literally means “around menopause” and has been coined as a term to describe irregular menstrual cycles experienced by women in their mid to late 40’s.

The problem is the label does not identify a cause, merely a common set of symptoms. If “peri-menopause” was simply a result of irregular menstrual cycles, then could we say that an 18 year old woman with irregular cycles is in peri-menopause? Of course not! That would be silly!!

The confusion is born of the fact, there is not a clearly identified cause of peri-menopause, so, the phrase has been crafted to give women a label, something to explain those awful symptoms of Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, vaginal dryness, hair loss, foggy thinking, lack of quality sleep and the list goes on…

Is there a common thread in women that are diagnosed with peri-menopause?

Yes.  When examined, their estrogen/progesterone levels are out of balance, disrupting a normal 28 day menstrual cycle, in some cases their cycles are all over the map!

Knowing the “what” you would naturally want to know “how”, not to just cope with it, but to correct it.

Keep reading…

Menopause simply means the menstrual cycle has permanently ceased, almost always at the age of 50-51. Many believe this is caused by a drop in hormone levels, however, the true marker for menopause, is the release of the last egg! (or hysterectomy)

Rather than be the cause of menopause, this decrease of estrogen and progesterone is a consequence of menopause, ergo, the symptoms of menopause and “peri-menopause”.

No more eggs = no more menstrual cycle = a drop in the hormones necessary for conception and full-term pregnancy.

So, what is an informed woman to do?

In a favorable environment (chemical-free/stress-free), the female body will make safe, proper levels of estrogen from its own bioidentical progesterone.  For more than 40 years, the safest & most effective way to achieve optimal progesterone levels is with a properly formulated bioidentical progesterone cream.

This optimal balance of hormones will, in turn, address this myth called “peri-menopause” and support a smooth transition into natural menopause.

Be sure to avoid those insidious EDC’s and learn effective methods for managing your stress… (more to come).

Preview to managing your stress: What role does Gratitude play? And, what role does movement play? (I know what you’re thinking… endorphins! Good guess, but they only play a small part in coping…) More…