Well, I’m back ladies. Yes, it’s been a while, but life is busy. What can I say?
I left you with the promise that I would begin my series on perimenopause so, here we go.
No series would be complete without a formal definition. Though most of us, thanks to the volumunous amount of information available on perimenopause, likely already know exactly what it is, it is still in our best interest to define it before we begin.
Perimenopause - What is it?
A brief search on the internet, as one would expect, turns up thousands of defnitions, but I think this one is adaquate for our purposes:
Definition: The period of transition to natural menopause during which the body undergoes endocrinologic and biologic changes resulting from declining ovarian hormone production; symptoms can include irregular menstrual periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and mood swings. Perimenopause can last over six years (four years is average) and usually ends after twelve months of amenorrhea.
Okay, perhaps this is more clinical than we would like, but you get the picture. Essentially, it is that time before you are menopausal that your body begins its hormonal fluctuations and gyrations which ultimately results in no more periods for you. And for the sake of clarity, menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. Anything longer than 12 months and you are considered “post-menopausal” or “after” menopause.
When does perimenopause begin?
Well, just as we cannot pinpoint an exact date and year that young girls begin their menstrual cycles, we also cannot pinpoint an exact date when perimenopause begins.
For adolescent girls, we know that there is an age continuum from approximately age 10 to 15 years old, with most girls falling somewhere in the middle, or around 13 years of age.
So it is with perimenopause. With the median age of menopause targeted at 52 years, the average age for the onset of perimenopause is approximately 10 years prior to that.
So, you can do the quick calculations to learn that perimenopause begins as early 40-something, or slightly before, and ranging up to around 48.
Again, these numbers are averages and as such, there are always exceptions. But, at our age, if we’ve learned anything, we know that we are all individuals and how our bodies behave is individual as well.
Personally, I formally began my foray into perimenopause at the age of 41.
At least, that is when I had my first noticeable signal.
It began with what is called a “phantom period”, meaning - I had an unexpected period mid-cycle.
However, since then, I’ve come to believe that given some of my emotional ups and downs prior to that time, it is likely that I began perimenopause a couple of years even prior to that.
It’s hard to imagine with more and more women having children into their 40’s, that women could be completely menopausal by the age of 40.
However, there is plenty of documentation to support that this is not as uncommon as one would think. Again, the average age for menopause is 52, but the entire definition of average means you will have higher and lower ages on either side.
All this to say, if you have been menopausal since your early to mid-forties, or, if you are like me, closer to 52 and still not there yet, you are not unusual and fall well within the normal range.
What happens during perimenopause?
Okay, so we’ve defined this hormonal invader called perimenopause and we’ve briefly discussed approximately when it begins.
The next logical question then is what types of symptoms and things can we expect during this time?
You know I’m going to say it - it varies.
I’ve said many times before, there are statistics which show approximately 20% of women experience little to no noticeable symptoms during perimenopause.
Yes, yes, I know, it seems grossly unfair doesn’t it? Especially when it seems that all women suffer in someway with this hormone hellion.
And again, I’ve said this a million times as well: I’ve never met these women and I’m beginning to question whether they actually exist. However, “they” say it’s true, so perhaps it is.
But, the other hard, cold, facts are, that at least 80% of women do experience a wide range of symptoms that are severe enough to cause significant discomfort and concern. Significant enough that we are flocking to doctors, herbalists and any other source of expertise to find relief.
There is a billion dollar industry out there that is thriving by providing help and information for perimenopausal women. So I think it’s safe to say, that there is a large demographic out there who are having these symptoms.
My next post will list some of those symptoms and what you can do to lessen, alleviate or simply learn to cope with them.
Sometimes, just understanding what is happening is enough to help us batten down the hatch, so to speak, and ride them out. Others, like myself, however, need some sort of intervention, medical or otherwise, to help us cope.
The good news is, the medical community and others are paying attention and there is a wide and varied approach in helping women get through these years.
The bad news is, there is no magic bullet. Trust me, if there were, I would be the first waving the banner. But, there are many significant and useful things you can take and do to help yourself get through what can be a very tumultuous and difficult time.
Look for the second post in the series coming soon!
I left you with the promise that I would begin my series on perimenopause so, here we go.
No series would be complete without a formal definition. Though most of us, thanks to the volumunous amount of information available on perimenopause, likely already know exactly what it is, it is still in our best interest to define it before we begin.
Perimenopause - What is it?
A brief search on the internet, as one would expect, turns up thousands of defnitions, but I think this one is adaquate for our purposes:
Okay, perhaps this is more clinical than we would like, but you get the picture. Essentially, it is that time before you are menopausal that your body begins its hormonal fluctuations and gyrations which ultimately results in no more periods for you. And for the sake of clarity, menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. Anything longer than 12 months and you are considered “post-menopausal” or “after” menopause.
When does perimenopause begin?
Well, just as we cannot pinpoint an exact date and year that young girls begin their menstrual cycles, we also cannot pinpoint an exact date when perimenopause begins.
For adolescent girls, we know that there is an age continuum from approximately age 10 to 15 years old, with most girls falling somewhere in the middle, or around 13 years of age.
So it is with perimenopause. With the median age of menopause targeted at 52 years, the average age for the onset of perimenopause is approximately 10 years prior to that.
So, you can do the quick calculations to learn that perimenopause begins as early 40-something, or slightly before, and ranging up to around 48.
Again, these numbers are averages and as such, there are always exceptions. But, at our age, if we’ve learned anything, we know that we are all individuals and how our bodies behave is individual as well.
At least, that is when I had my first noticeable signal.
It began with what is called a “phantom period”, meaning - I had an unexpected period mid-cycle.
However, since then, I’ve come to believe that given some of my emotional ups and downs prior to that time, it is likely that I began perimenopause a couple of years even prior to that.
It’s hard to imagine with more and more women having children into their 40’s, that women could be completely menopausal by the age of 40.
However, there is plenty of documentation to support that this is not as uncommon as one would think. Again, the average age for menopause is 52, but the entire definition of average means you will have higher and lower ages on either side.
All this to say, if you have been menopausal since your early to mid-forties, or, if you are like me, closer to 52 and still not there yet, you are not unusual and fall well within the normal range.
What happens during perimenopause?
Okay, so we’ve defined this hormonal invader called perimenopause and we’ve briefly discussed approximately when it begins.
You know I’m going to say it - it varies.
I’ve said many times before, there are statistics which show approximately 20% of women experience little to no noticeable symptoms during perimenopause.
Yes, yes, I know, it seems grossly unfair doesn’t it? Especially when it seems that all women suffer in someway with this hormone hellion.
And again, I’ve said this a million times as well: I’ve never met these women and I’m beginning to question whether they actually exist. However, “they” say it’s true, so perhaps it is.
But, the other hard, cold, facts are, that at least 80% of women do experience a wide range of symptoms that are severe enough to cause significant discomfort and concern. Significant enough that we are flocking to doctors, herbalists and any other source of expertise to find relief.
There is a billion dollar industry out there that is thriving by providing help and information for perimenopausal women. So I think it’s safe to say, that there is a large demographic out there who are having these symptoms.
My next post will list some of those symptoms and what you can do to lessen, alleviate or simply learn to cope with them.
Sometimes, just understanding what is happening is enough to help us batten down the hatch, so to speak, and ride them out. Others, like myself, however, need some sort of intervention, medical or otherwise, to help us cope.
The good news is, the medical community and others are paying attention and there is a wide and varied approach in helping women get through these years.
The bad news is, there is no magic bullet. Trust me, if there were, I would be the first waving the banner. But, there are many significant and useful things you can take and do to help yourself get through what can be a very tumultuous and difficult time.
Look for the second post in the series coming soon!