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Perimenopause & Postmenopause

Premenopausal Symptoms at 30-35…Is This for Real?

Are you experiencing weight gain despite maintaining your usual diet and exercise routine? Have you noticed a decline in your energy levels or sex drive? Could you be having hot flashes or night sweats at just 30 years old? It might seem surprising, but these symptoms can indeed be real.

Hormone imbalances can lead to menopause-like symptoms as early as 30-35 years of age. This phase is known as perimenopause and marks the initial transition toward menopause.

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What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause, sometimes referred to as premenopause or early menopause, occurs when hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, begin to decline gradually and unevenly. A woman is officially considered perimenopausal when her menstrual cycles start to become irregular, and a pituitary hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) increases.

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Signs of perimenopause can include:

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- Periods occurring more or less frequently
- Variations in the length of menstrual cycles
- Changes in bleeding patterns, including heavier or lighter periods
- Common menopausal symptoms

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While the average age for perimenopause to begin is in the early 40s, many women start noticing symptoms in their early to mid-30s. This is often due to a rapid decline in progesterone (which can decrease by 75% by age 35) compared to estrogen (which typically declines by about 35% by the same age). This hormonal imbalance, known as estrogen dominance, occurs when there isn’t enough progesterone to balance the estrogen levels.

A woman officially reaches menopause after going 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, marking the end of the perimenopause phase.

Symptoms of Perimenopause

 

The fluctuation or decline in female hormones may cause many symptoms of perimenopause, which are the same as the symptoms of menopause.

Symptoms of perimenopause can be worsened by poor nutrition, lack of exercise, stress, or exposure to environmental toxins.

 

Symptoms of perimenopause may include:

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  • Weight gain

  • Fatigue

  • Decreased energy levels

  • Hot flashes

  • Night sweats

  • Decreased sex drive

  • Mood swings

  • Irritiability

  • Depressed mood

  • Anxiety

  • Worsening memory

  • Difficulty concentration

  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

  • Hair loss or hair thinning

  • Headaches

  • Dry eyes

  • Dry skin

  • Vaginal changes

  • (i.e., dryness, itching, pain

  • with intercourse)

  • Irregular periods

  • Heavy bleeding

  • Formication (crawling, itching, or tingling skin sensations)

Perimenopause vs. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Perimenopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) share many similar symptoms, but there are key differences between the two.

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PMS Symptoms
- PMS symptoms arise from the natural fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone during a regular menstrual cycle.


- These symptoms typically occur near the time of menstruation, manifesting just before and during a woman’s period.

 

Perimenopause Symptoms
- In contrast, the symptoms of perimenopause can be consistent or intermittent and occur throughout a woman’s cycle, rather than being linked specifically to menstruation.


- Perimenopausal symptoms are not directly related to the timing of a woman’s period, reflecting the broader hormonal changes taking place.

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Understanding these distinctions can help in recognizing the underlying hormonal changes at play during these two phases.

Postmenopause

What is Postmenopause?

Postmenopause is the phase that begins after a woman has not had a period for one year, typically occurring around the age of 50. However, factors such as smoking, obesity, or damage to the ovaries (due to surgery, trauma, radiation, etc.) can lead to earlier onset of postmenopause.

Once a woman enters postmenopause, she remains in this stage for the rest of her life. The good news is that menopausal symptoms often decrease in severity and frequency during this phase.

 

For instance, hot flashes, which many women find distressing, typically become less frequent and less intense.

Despite the improvement in symptoms, the decline in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other female hormones can increase the risk of various health issues:

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Low Estrogen: This can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and genitourinary atrophy, resulting in painful intercourse, vaginal itching, and an increased likelihood of urinary tract infections.
 
-Low Testosterone: A decrease in testosterone can result in reduced sex drive, lower bone and muscle strength, and decreased energy levels.
 
-Low Progesterone: This can contribute to emotional instability, including symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

Understanding the implications of postmenopause is essential for managing health and well-being in this stage of life.

Surgical Menopause

What is a Hysterectomy?

A total hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s reproductive organs, including her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, are removed. A partial hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which only the uterus is removed and the ovaries are left intact. Removal of the ovaries, also known as oophorectomy, is often done together with removal of the uterus to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer and minimize the risk of other complications. Hysterectomies are the second most common surgery in women, after cesarean sections. One in three women in the United States has a hysterectomy by the age of 60.

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Surgical Menopause After a Hysterctomy

Menopause will occur after surgical removal of the ovaries, which occurs after a total hysterectomy. The ovaries are the main source of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone production in the female body. Removal of the ovaries results in a drastic decline in these hormones. This disruption of a woman’s hormone levels results in many unpleasant menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, decreased energy, fatigue, decreased sex drive, weight gain, bloating, decreased concentration, worsening memory, difficulty sleeping, depressed mood and joint aches.

Surgical menopause symptoms are the same as menopausal symptoms but are often more sudden and intense. There are also increased health risks such as increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

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Surgical Menopause Treatment with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimates that 400,000 hysterectomies are unnecessarily performed each year. We agree. We have found that many women can avoid an unnecessary hysterectomy by starting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy combined with proper nutrition, nutritional supplements, regular exercise and stress reduction.

Schedule A Consultation With Us..

Call 248-307-7796

for a Free Consultation

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What to Expect During Your Consultation:

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  • Usually takes 15-30 minutes

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  • Completely confidential

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  • No obligation to purchase anything

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  • We will discuss your symptoms along with your health and fitness goals

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  • Free post-consult access for any additional questions you may have

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