Brandi Vesco, Health Source 10:35 a.m. PT June 13, 2017
Menopause(Photo: Devonyu/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
After years of regular menstruation, the onset of perimenopause and the transition to full menopause can be both physically and emotionally uncomfortable. The impact of this transition the severity of its side effects and ones tolerance for such symptoms may vary widely from woman to the next. Ease the progression through this natural phase of life by communicating openly with your doctor and gaining a better understanding of what to expect.
The transition to menopause is known as perimenopause, typically beginning four years prior to the final menstrual period, said Jenine Paner, DO, a family medicine physician at Renown Medical Group. Symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep changes, mood changes and vaginal dryness. All women have some symptoms, but the severity of symptoms differs.
According to Paner, the average age of perimenopause is 47 years, and the average age of menopause is around 51 years, ranging from approximately 45 to 55. Genetics and lifestyle factors, such as weight and tobacco use, can affect the age of menopause, she said.
As for the differences between perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms women experience during these back-to-back phases can be quite similar, except for the fact menstruation stops completely when a woman enters menopause.
Symptoms of menopause are really the same as perimenopause, except that there is a cessation of menstruation instead of irregular menstruation, said Dani Barisone, an advanced practice registered nurse with Northern Nevada Medical Group. Perimenopause does not guarantee infertility.
Deciding whether to seek treatment for the side effects of perimenopause and menopause is a personal choice and tends to depend on how much these symptoms are affecting your quality of life. Even if you decide not to receive medical care for menopause, talking to your doctor about the ways in which your body is changing is a smart move for best health.
If a woman is experiencing typical symptoms of menopause and is over 45, no hormonal workup is typically needed, Paner said. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about all symptoms to assure no other causes of symptoms are involved.
Among the most common and bothersome side effects of perimenopause and menopause are mood changes, vaginal dryness and hot flashes, the latter of which may occur more frequently during periods in perimenopause, Paner said.
Hot flashes are a sudden sensation of heat that usually starts in the upper chest or face and may progress to cover the whole body for two to four minutes, she said. Women also may have sweating and heart palpitations, followed by chills, shivering or anxiety. These episodes may occur several times a day, [and] hot flashes typically last for more than a year without treatment.
As far as treatment options to help alleviate hot flashes and other issues associated with perimenopause and menopause, these can range from dressing in layers and using an over-the-counter vaginal lubricant to receiving hormone replacement therapy or taking an antidepressant.
There is a variability of symptoms, as well as tolerance for symptoms, that is individual from one woman to another, Barisone said. The discussion of symptoms and possible treatment options should be brought up at an annual exam with your gynecologist or primary care provider.
Read or Share this story: http://www.rgj.com/story/life/wellness/2017/06/13/symptom-severity-tolerance-can-vary-widely-menopause/393040001/
See the original post here:
Understand what to expect when entering menopause - Reno Gazette Journal
- Bio Identical Hormone replacement therapy "alternative medicine" OMT [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Healthbeat - Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2010]
- Does Hormone Replacement Therapy increase breast cancer risks? [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2010]
- Hormone replacement therapy increases risk of cancer [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2010]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Risky For Women [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2010]
- Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Lead To Breast Cancer? [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2011]
- Women Turning To Holistic Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2011]
- Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Dangerous? [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Complications [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2011]
- The New Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy - John Crisler, DO [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2011]
- Suzanne Somers on hormone therapy for menopause, part 2 of 6 [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Symptoms of Menopause (Menopause #2) [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- How to Relieve Menopause Symptoms : Hormonal Replacement Therapy for Menopause [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- What is hormone replacement therapy? [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Natural Treatments Instead of Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Suzanne Somers on hormone therapy for menopause, part 1 of 6 [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy for post-menopausal women [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2011]
- Joe Rogan talking about hormone replacement therapy 6-14-2011 [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Weight [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- HRC Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- Study Hormone Replacement Therapy Increases Breast Cancer Risk - kdka.com [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- 020 - Neo Hormones [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2011]
- Making Sense of Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- HRT MTF Transition Report Week 10 [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement - Part 2 [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement - Part 1 [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2011]
- Goldie Lookin Chain - HRT [Last Updated On: August 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 9th, 2011]
- Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): Optimizing Clinical Outcomes - Michael Aziz, MD [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Thyroid Replacement Therapy - Ronald Rothenberg, MD [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Ralph Turner discusses Hormone Replacement Therapy. [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- 1 year on HRT [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- The Wiley Protocol [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- My Journal with Low Testosterone TRT Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- 12 years of HRT: My Transition in photos [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Steven Jepson talks about Bio-identical Hormone Replacment Therapy [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Estradiol Valerate Injection HRT (Part 3)of(3) [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Study: Post-Menopausal Hormone Therapy Increases Cancer Risk [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Bio-identical Hormone Replacement (anti-aging) Therapy - Westchase, Tampa, Florida [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- natural hormone replacement [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- 6 Month Hormone Effects (before and after) [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Jeff Life, MD - Cenegenics, Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Huge [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Transsexual hormones,Intramuscular injection, Progynon Depot,Estradiol [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- Dr Whiting on Menopause and the Dangers of HRT [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- Ahuviya Harel (ADF-Fuensalida) to Start Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Clomid Defined - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy - Dr. Denis Rebic - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Dr. Pamela Smith - Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Jasper Carrott - Traffic [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- VIDEO: Breast Cancer, Hormone Replacement Therapy Connection - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy with Dr. Sulak - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Menopause [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- bio identical hormone replacement therapy raleigh durcham chaepl hill north carolina - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Endocrine Related Hair Loss, Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Treat This? Friedman - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Navarro Discusses Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy by the Book - Eldred Taylor, MD - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Sangeeta Pati, MD, FACOG, discusses Hormone Replacement - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Active Center's Dr. Gross Discusses Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy on NEWS 12 NJ - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- DALLAS ANTI-AGING MEDICINE BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause in Women - Video [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- Amberen - Natural HRT Alternative Commercial - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2011]
- The Dangers of HRT - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2011]
- The Benefits and Risks of Male Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- Natural Menopause Treatment - Herbal HRT Alternative - Video [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2011]
- Dr. Ian Thorneycroft - Hormone Replacement Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- Sarah,MTF Transgender 3months HRT - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- 26. ftm 1 month on t - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- Dr. Quint Jardine - Hormone Replacement Therapy with Pellets - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- 6 Month Changes MTF HRT - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- Medical Mondays: Will hormone replacement therapy increase my risk of breast cancer? - Video [Last Updated On: December 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2011]
- HRT EXPERIENCES NOT ALL GOOD - Video [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2011]
- Sarah, MTF transgender 9 months HRT - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2011]
- Full: Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate Tissue in Men with Late-Onset Hypogonadism (Dramatic Health) - Video [Last Updated On: December 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2011]
- Suzanne Somers on hormone therapy for menopause, part 3 of 6 - Video [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2011]
- 1 Year HRT MTF Transition - Video [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2011]