Perimenopause

Let’s talk perimenopause…

For those of you who don`t know what this is – it is the time in your hormonal cycle before your periods stop and you enter into menopause proper. Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause. Menopause is defined as the time when you have not had a period for 365 days – after this you are now postmenopausal. During perimenopause, levels of oestrogen start to decrease. You may begin having menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes or irregular periods.

This time of  hormonal upheaval can last years or if you`re lucky you may not be aware of any change at all. Normally you will be in your forties, possibly the children are getting that bit older and you`re looking forward to resuming a former existence of carefree no -responsibility days. When suddenly out of the blue, you are beset with some (or all) of the following symptoms:

• Hot flushes
• Breast tenderness
• Worse premenstrual syndrome
• Lower sex drive
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
• Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
• Cystitis
• Urinary urgency (an urgent need to urinate more frequently)
• Brain fog
• Memory/ concentration issues
• Mood swings

You visit the GP and the only thing they can offer you are various hormonal options, or anti-depressants for the more debilitating mood disorders. The choices are to start HRT – either gels, patches, pessaries or pills.  These are considered much safer than their reputation would lead us to believe and are touted as a magic cure all for most symptoms. But as we all know every patient is unique. It is difficult to get the correct dosage and type of HRT without expensive lab tests – this can lead to side effects or no change in symptoms. As your hormones are oscillating constantly at this time, it is worthwhile getting a medication reveiw if your symptoms change.

So, if you`re not too keen on taking HRT – however your  home life is suffering, you` re exhausted by insomnia and unpredictable mood swings. You have no energy for exercise and healthy eating.  This seems nothing compared to the unwanted physical symptoms you`re suffering – vaginal dryness and the ridiculously unpredictable period.

There is an answer – try a more natural healthy approach by consulting an herbalist:

• Bolster your nervous system to cope with mood fluctuations and stress levels.
• Address the lack of energy so you have enough in the tank to face your day to day life.
• Support your liver function to help you eliminate the excess hormones that are causing troublesome symptoms.
• Help your body balance hormonal activity in the face of changing hormone levels.
• Support the tissues of the female reproductive system, especially the uterus, so they can survive hormonal changes.
• Help to reduce symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.
• Address food choices to help with unwanted weight gain.

As you can intimate from the above list of treatment goals – there is no one size fits all when it comes to herbs for perimenopause.

 

For more information have a look at one of my Hormonal Health packages.

Visit NIMH to find your nearest herbalist.