Premenopause is accompanied by abrupt changes for women. Therefore, it is advisable to know your symptoms and seek medical and gynecological attention if necessary. Find out more about it.
Menopause does not mean that life has ended, but that a new stage has begun. However, what happens when it arrives early? This time we want to talk about the symptoms of premenopause.
But, first of all, it is convenient to differentiate the menopause itself from the climacteric, since many women confuse these processes. Although they are in a relationship, these terms are different. Let’s see next.
Menopause and climacteric.
Menopause refers to the definitive disappearance of menstruation for an approximate period of twelve months, due to the failure of ovarian function. When this occurs before the age of 40, one begins to speak of early menopause.
The climacteric, on the other hand, is the time during which one passes from reproductive to non-reproductive life, as indicated by medical research. The medical literature also highlights other guidelines to differentiate these moments:
- It is stated that menopause occurs when the last spontaneous menstruation occurs, which marks the end of a woman’s fertile life, and is established after one year has passed.
- In contrast, the climacteric is defined as the stage in a woman’s life in which a decline in ovarian function begins and lasts until senescence.
Premature menopause.
Definitions of premature menopause also often confuse some women, as the medical community does not seem to agree on a precise term. Some studies use the terms premature menopause and ovarian failure synonymously, and define it as:
“The cessation of ovulation and endocrine ovarian functions in women under 40 years of age”.
It is worth noting that this term, ovarian failure, was proposed in 1942 by Fuller Albright, considered the father of endocrinology. It was the first time that this phenomenon was mentioned. Other scientific journals also mention the different words to refer to ovarian loss.
In any case, following the definition of the health expert, Muntané, we will call premenopause:
“The time of life before menopause, in which women undergo biological changes that can cause a series of disorders. Externally, one of the manifestations of these metabolic changes is the absence of the rule itself, and internally, the cessation of ovulation”.
Although the terms do not have exact precision, it is possible to recognize some signs to determine whether or not you are facing premenopause.
Symptoms of premenopause.
If the period does not go away, for at least 12 continuous months, a diagnosis of menopause cannot be established. However, if you observe some of the symptoms listed below, you are likely experiencing premenopause. If so, the recommendation is to see a doctor.
- Irregular menstrual cycles: If your period is late or early more than seven days, then you should consider visiting the gynecologist.
- Hot flashes: insomnia or sweating. At this stage it is common to have imbalances in sleep, and this can be the result of a hormonal disorder.
- Physical changes: such as weight gain, a bloated feeling in the abdomen, sore breasts, headaches, or nausea. You may experience symptoms similar to those of PMS.
- Mood swings: Product of the same hormonal alteration, perhaps, you could feel more irritable than usual. You can also see life from a negative perspective, in which you believe that everything will go wrong.
- Urine leakage: Which can occur when there are sneezes. This can be an indication that the pelvic floor is not well.
- Loss of sexual desire: Which is also related to hormonal imbalance. Vaginal dryness, poor lubrication, vaginal itching, and others are likely.
How to deal with premenopause?
Being in the premenopausal season can be difficult to cope with. However, this is a natural process that we should not fear. In general, another stage begins in which you can even live without pressure. From the age of 40 there are other risks associated with health that are worth taking care of, such as:
- Osteoarthritis.
- Cancer of the ovaries, breast or uterus.
- Appearance of fibroids.
- Fibroids.
The best thing you can do at this point in your life is to see the doctor, since he will be the one who will do a balanced analysis of your family history and will determine what is best for you. Perhaps he will indicate some treatment to alleviate the discomforts, as well as it may be that he designs an ideal diet for you.
In any case, remember to avoid smoking, lead a life with healthy habits, take vitamin D and calcium supplements, in addition to dedicating a few minutes a day to the physical activity of your choice.
