Perimenopause Periods

On average, American women reach menopause at age 51. Menopause is defined as a consecutive and uninterrupted time-span when a woman has not experienced a menstrual cycle for twelve months. Even if the woman in question were to have just a couple abbreviated spotty perimenopause periods within this time span, she must begin counting anew from the time of this (new) last period to be considered menopausal.

Menopause is not like a traffic light. Perimenopause periods do not abruptly stop at a given time, but gradually. The time span prior to menopause when periods can be spotty or irregular is referred to as perimenopause. Women usually experience perimenopause in their 40s.

In addition to spotty and irregular periods, many women also experience some of the physical symptoms commonly associated with menopause. These symptoms fortunately are not as severe or as chronic as the same or similar symptoms experienced during menopause.

Perimenopause is a naturally occurring event that every woman must face. As a woman ages her endrocrine system begins to fail as oestrogen and progesterone levels start to deplete. Again, perimenopause is a naturally occurring event and signifies the beginning of the end of a woman's reproductive years.

Though somewhat rare, a woman may still become pregnant during perimenopause. As long as a woman still has periods she has the capacity to become pregnant. There are quite a few methods of combating the symptoms associated with menopause, especially hot flashes and night sweats. Care should be given when considering certain over-the-counter or prescribed meds as they could interfere with the reproductive system. A woman needs to be certain beforehand if she is still wants to become pregnant or if anti-menopause symptom type drugs will inhibit possible pregnancy. A discussion with a primary physician or specialist should alleviate concerns on this topic.

Perimenopause periods are a normal part of a woman's life that comes with advanced age. A woman may present irregular or spotty periods or be plagued with minor menopause type symptoms, or both. However, a woman must present either one or the other to be considered perimenopausal. A woman with regular monthly periods, who exhibits no menopausal type symptoms or signs of hormone imbalance, is not perimenopausal.

Women who present moderate to severe menopause type symptoms may consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT traditionally introduces processed female oestrogens directly into the body in an effort to restore lost oestrogens and rebalance hormones. Some treatment plans also introduce progesterone in an effort to prevent endometrial cell build up.

Since its introduction in the mid-60s, HRT has come under severe criticism as HRT has been proven to have a direct link to elevated instances of heart disease, arterial disorders, and various types of uterine and endometrial cancers.

In spite of these alarming concerns, physicians still promote HRT as the top choice for treating menopause and perimenopause symptoms. However, some physicians have backed off a bit and now only recommend HRT for an abbreviated time period and many now only advise HRT for no longer than a six-month interval.

Unfortunately, women may experience perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms for ten years or more. Women who have been afforded a modicum of symptom relief during HRT find that hot flashes and night sweats return with a vengeance once treatments stop.

This begs the question; "If symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause can last for ten years or more and if HRT is only grudgingly recommended for a short six months, why even bother to begin HRT, especially when the elevated health risks are taken into account?" Perimenopause periods are neither a good thing nor a bad thing but rather a gradual downsizing of the female reproductive process.

In some parts of the world women of perimenopausal and menopausal age are revered for their knowledge and wisdom, especially in matriarchal societies. Unfortunately, Americans seem to have a real love affair with youth and attempting to retain youthful looks well into advanced years. Billions are spent annually in various efforts to maintain a youthful looking appearance. It is unfortunate that we as a society do not honor and embrace the natural aging process.

Women experiencing elevated physical symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause can take solace in the knowledge that safe and effective alternatives to HRT are available. Various types of holistic, herbal and plant based treatments and supplements are available to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms, some hundreds of years old.

Sorting through the alternative menopause and perimenopause symptom treatment claims can be a daunting process as there is a certain level of natural skepticism associated with these remedies due to the lack of conclusive, supportive, and/or clinical evidence available in reference to the efficacy, safety, and effectiveness of the product described.

Personal research on perimenopause periods is the best tool for preparedness. Armed with a knowledge of the various types of treatment alternatives and research into the active ingredients can lay the groundwork for making the best choice.