Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the name given to the time prior to the menopause, when a womans body begins to “wind down” before her periods stop.
During the Perimenopause, which can start up to 10 years before the menopause itself, ovulation decreases and oestrogen levels gradually drop. Although you still have periods, the subtle changes in the balance of oestrogen and progesterone can cause physical and emotional symptoms.
The average age for a woman to start the menopause is 51, but any time between 45 and 55 is normal. This means that women can start having perimenopausal symptoms from the age of 35 onwards.
Although most women know about menopausal symptoms there is less awareness of the perimenopause. However, during this time periods often become heavier, longer, or more, or less, frequent than before. Not every woman will get symptoms but as well as change in period patterns, some women suffer the following, quite debilitating, symptoms: night sweats, hot flushes, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, mild depression, mood swings, skin changes, and thinning hair.
It is not easy to recognise the symptoms of the perimenopause as, for example, moods swings and insomnia can have many causes such as stress or depression. However, if you suspect you are going through this process see your GP or health professional who will be able to give you a blood test to check levels of three important hormones: oestradiol, which normally drops after the menopause, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) which both rise after the menopause. However, this is not always a reliable predictor of the syndrome as for many women levels of these hormones may remain completely normal until after the menopause itself.
What can you do?
Self Help tactics
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet high in phytoestrogens which are plant substances which help to regulate oestrogen naturally. These are found in tofu, soya beans, linseed, rye and oats. You can get special bread which is specially baked with these phytoestrogens your local supermarket or health food store should stock it.
- The right type of nourishment is essential – oily fish such as salmon, trout, sardines (eat the bones), mackerel or herring, olive oil, sesame oil, humous or tahini (sesame paste), pumpkin and sunflower seeds and walnuts, are all great sources of nutrition.
Eat plenty of brightly coloured (red peppers, carrots, beetroot), and dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, and wholegrain rice.
Limit how much tropical or citrus fruit, such as oranges, mangoes, and grapefruit, you have, and avoid non-organic meat or dairy. Also avoid coffee if you can.
- Limit your consumption of processed and fatty foods, and foods containing additives, and make sure to drink at least 2 litres a day of mineral water to flush your system out.
- Look into using natural progesterone which some trials have shown is very useful for combating the symptoms of the perimenopause, and works toward rebalancing the hormones. Many women have found relief from symptoms and have felt better than ever. Dr David Smallbone one of the CHC registered practitioners is an expert in using natural progesterone, and other natural methods such as nutritional therapy, for treating womens health conditions, including the perimenopause, PMT and the menopause. In order to make an appointment with Dr Smallbone, who practices in London, call the CHC reception on: 0207 243 1968 or e-mail us.
- Combat hot flushes by wearing lightweight clothes in natural fabrics, and by avoiding spicy food. Leave a window open when you go to bed and use light bed linen to help prevent night sweats.
- You can also use preparations of the herb sage in order to reduce sweating. Sage has long been used in herbal medicine as a means to reducing hot flushes and night sweats. Make a sage tea by steeping sage leaves in hot water. Drink several cups a day. Or you can take sage as a tincture. The normal dose is 15-20 drops in water three times a day.
- Ease anxiety and insomnia by practising relaxation techniques such as yoga, or meditation
- Try herbal medicines (only if you are not on prescription anti-depressants or tranquilisers) such as St Johns Wort for mild depression; Dong Quai (Chinese Angelica) rich in phytoestrogens long used in herbal medicine for period problems and hot flushes; and Black Cohosh which help keeps the hormones in balance.
* Womens Formulae * Sage * St Johns Wort * Black Cohosh * Dong Quai *
To purchase any of these nutritional and herbal supplements for women go to the Shop
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