According to women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, most women go through the perimenopausal transition before reaching menopause. Perimenopausal women are usually somewhere in their 40’s, still having menstrual periods. But their cycles are changing, as are their estrogen levels. Sometimes they are high, sometimes too low, and sometimes just right. In fact, says Marla Ahlgrimm, during this time women may feel like they’re on a hormonal roller coaster ride. Perimenopause can last for a few months to a few years. Women may have physical as well as psychological complaints. Symptoms are very much like those of menopause, and women may experience one or more symptoms during perimenopause.
Common symptoms of perimenopause include the following:
- Changes in the menstrual flow
- Lumpy or tender breasts
- Bloating
- Problems with sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety, mood swings, depression
- PMS
- Hot flashes, night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Unexplained weight gain
Having symptoms of perimenopause can mean that a woman is getting closer to the age of menopause and the ending of her monthly menstrual periods. Once a woman has gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, Marla Ahlgrimm says she has officially reached menopause and the perimenopause phase is over. The average age of a woman at menopause is 51.5 years. Now, says Ahlgrimm, all the symptoms described above are about to escalate.
Marla Ahlgrimm recommends keeping the intake of coffee, alcohol and spicy foods to a minimum since they can intensify menopausal complaints. Consume enough dairy products and make sure to get plenty of exercise to prevent osteoporosis, adds Ahlgrimm. Make sure to get enough sleep.
If a woman’s medical complaints are bothersome, a doctor may prescribe hormonal treatment. Treatment for menopause consists of FDA approved prescription hormone therapy which may use bioidentical hormones. These are available in creams, capsules, tablets, patches, rings, sprays, and gels.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,