Premenopause - what is it?

With age, in women, the ovaries begin to produce less estrogens, they decrease the number of follicles and their sensitivity to the hormones of the pituitary gland, but they continue to work until menopause occurs . Because of the low content of estrogens in the blood long before menopause, similar symptoms begin to appear - premenopause.

What is premenopause in women?

The first signs of premenopause:

1. The first sign is irregular monthly, but they, at the same time, differ little from ordinary ones. If other changes occur along with irregular periods, such as copious periods with bloody clots, spotting between monthly periods, increasing the duration of menstruation and reducing the interval between them, spotting during intercourse, you should consult your doctor for a checkup.
2. Tides are a very unpleasant symptom characteristic of premenopause, which women describe as a sensation of heat in the upper half of the body, which resembles a fever, increased sweating.
3. The increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, however, it should not be confused by painful seals in the glands, in the presence of which examinations are conducted to exclude breast and breast cancers.
4. Premenstrual syndrome is severe and prolonged.
5. Reduces sexual desire in women, although often this is due to painful intercourse due to increased dryness of the vagina with mucosal atrophy.
6. Increased fatigue, frequent sudden mood swings and various sleep disorders.
7. Increased urination or incontinence when coughing.
8. Hair loss, increased brittle nails.
9. Depression, headaches of varying intensity, irritability, heart palpitations.

How long does premenopause last?

The average age of women in the period of premenopause is from 40 to 50 years. However, the period of premenopause lasts for different women differently: from 1 to 4 years, the truth can be stretched and for a period of more than 10 years. Early premenopause may occur after 30 years, especially with ovarian depletion syndrome. But many women are worried whether it is possible to conceive in premenopause. And although with the decrease in estrogen levels, for many women it may be a problem to become pregnant after 35 years, premenopause is the period when the ovaries are working, and pregnancy may well come. Therefore, it is worthwhile to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy, but you must remember that premenopause is a period when many contraceptives are contraindicated, especially without an appropriate examination of a woman and determining the level of sex hormones in the blood, even if they reduce the symptoms of premenopause.

Premenopause and its treatment

Not always with premenopause immediately prescribe medication. First of all, to improve a woman's well-being, one should follow simple recommendations:

• It is not necessary to abuse alcohol and it is recommended to quit smoking during this period;
• regular exercise will help improve well-being, and daily outdoor activities help to relieve sleep disturbances;
• nutrition in the period of premenopause should be rich in calcium (for the prevention of osteoporosis) and vitamins;
• in this period, the metabolism is reduced, so it is important to monitor the calorie content of food and set in weight, to prevent obesity;
• sufficient fluid intake is necessary, especially in the form of pure water and fresh fruit.

Medications for the treatment of premenopausal symptoms are prescribed with severe forms and no contraindications. As a rule, these are hormonal drugs that are prescribed only after determining the level of estradiol, FSH, LH, the level of male sex hormones and a complete examination of a woman in the blood to determine the presence of contraindications for both substitution and symptomatic therapy of premenopause.