Each representative of the weaker sex, reaching a certain age, is faced with a period of menopause, which is preceded by perimenopause. There are many signs of this phenomenon, because hormonal changes entail external and internal changes, which also affect the psychological state of a woman. The unpleasant manifestations that accompany such a difficult life period are much easier to minimize and endure if you prepare for it in advance.
Stages of menopause
Climax is an inevitable period in the life of every representative of the beautiful half of humanity. These are natural hormonal changes associated with the gradual fading of reproductive function. The precursor to the final loss of this opportunity is the stage that among specialists is called perimenopause. During this period, a woman experiences the first signs of hormonal changes, which often negatively affect her well-being.
The onset of menopause is usually noted after the age of forty and depends on lifestyle and genetic factors. So, too rigid diets, endocrine defects,regular stress can favor the premature start of an irreversible process. In general, the duration of menopause from the onset of the first signs to the completion of the last menstruation can span as much as 10 years.
The menopause itself is conventionally divided into several stages.
- Perimenopause. Most often overtakes women aged 40-50 years. The specific number depends on various factors: from the genetic characteristics of the organism to lifestyle. This period lasts from the beginning of the suppression of the ovaries to the cessation of menstrual flow - about 2-4 years, in some cases longer. At the same time, the woman experiences the first symptoms of hormonal changes: cycle disorders, discomfort, all kinds of ailments.
- Menopause. The stage of stopping menstruation, sometimes they still come, but the breaks between them can even be several months. During this period, a woman most acutely feels the manifestations of menopause, pronounced symptoms appear. Menopause usually occurs after age 50.
- Postmenopause. It continues from the last menstruation until the end of life. Against the background of the absence of full-fledged cycles, over time, a woman's emotional and physical state stabilizes, unpleasant signs gradually recede.
What is perimenopause in women
Let's take a closer look. From the name of this condition, it becomes clear that it precedes menopause. Perimenopause is a characteristic, non-pathological phenomenon that occurs most often in women over 40 years of age. It is peculiar to himrestructuring of the hormonal background, which provokes serious changes in the form of the cessation of childbearing function and the menstrual cycle.
What is perimenopause? In women, this condition represents the first period of menopause. This period is characterized by a decrease in the production of sex hormones in the body - progesterone and estrogen. Their deficiency over time entails suppression of the activity of the reproductive organs, affects the intestines, mammary glands, heart, kidneys, liver and other systems. The perimenopausal period begins about a couple of years before menopause.
Basically, the reproductive organs undergo global changes during menopause: the fallopian tubes are gradually depleted, ovulation stops in the ovaries and the normal process of releasing the egg from the follicles stops, which makes conception almost unrealistic, but does not completely exclude this possibility. Phenomena occurring at this time appear as visible symptoms and require immediate specialist advice.
ICD-10 perimenopause code - N95.9.
Reasons for early appearance
Usually, women who have reached the age of forty face this period. Perimenopause may well come much earlier. So, many women face this unpleasant phenomenon at the age of 35-37. And recently, the perimenopausal period often occurs in the fairer sex, who have barely crossed the thirty-year milestone.
Premature occurrence of thisconditions contribute to addictions, unhe althy diet, passive lifestyle. At an early age, perimenopause occurs most often in women with thyroid problems and with wasted ovary syndrome.
Among other things, the following factors favor the premature onset of this phenomenon:
- poor blood clotting;
- transferred surgical interventions, including those related to the reproductive system - the uterus and ovaries;
- diabetes mellitus;
- alcohol abuse;
- exhaustion of a psychological or physical nature;
- effect on the body of radiation, for example, during the treatment of oncological pathologies;
- late treatment of gynecological defects, complications;
- incorrect use of contraceptives;
- drug use, smoking;
- genetic inheritance;
- abnormal deviations in the activity of the thyroid gland, surgical interventions covering it.
Symptomatics
The physiological changes that occur during perimenopause (according to ICD-10 - N95.9) in the female body are also manifested externally, while delivering a lot of discomfort. Features of the course and the severity of these signs are individual for each representative of the weaker sex. But be that as it may, when the first symptoms of perimenopause appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for a consultation.
Usually womenface the following problems:
- abnormal changes in the menstrual cycle - irregular menstruation, which become more or less abundant, often clots stand out, discomfort is noted;
- sexual disorders - decreased libido, attraction to the opposite sex, discomfort at the time of intimacy against the background of a decrease in the amount of natural lubricant released;
- external signs - hot flushes that appear mainly in the evenings, excessive sweating, increased sensitivity of the chest, aching pain is likely, due to a decrease in calcium levels, the external condition of nails, hair, skin worsens, weight increases;
- malfunctions in the urinary system - too frequent urination, incontinence, for example, due to sneezing, increased cholesterol levels in the bloodstream;
- psychological problems and disorders in the functioning of the nervous system - insomnia, nervousness, irritability, constant anxiety, frequent migraines, weakness, fatigue, decreased performance, impaired concentration, memory impairment.
Features of the menstrual cycle
The first symptom of perimenopausal syndrome is the unusual nature of the discharge and the cycle as a whole. A feature of this period is the irregularity of menstruation and the predominance of cycles without ovulation.
With the normal functioning of the ovaries, the egg matures in the follicular membrane with a further exit into the fallopian tubes. Instead of her,the corpus luteum is formed, which produces progesterone, which is necessary for the growth of the endometrium.
With a cycle without ovulation, the production of this hormone is reduced. That is why the reproductive system needs much more time for the formation and rejection of the endometrium, rupture of the membrane and release of the egg. As a result, the uterine part of the cycle is delayed, which leads to its displacement and prolonged periods during the perimenopause.
Changes concern not only the frequency, but also the abundance of discharge. Almost all women experience menorrhagia - increased blood loss. Too heavy menstruation is often accompanied by the appearance of clots and is quite painful. It is extremely rare for women to experience the opposite symptoms of the perimenopausal period - a decrease in discharge and a decrease in the number of days between them.
Uterine bleeding
One of the most disturbing signs of the perimenopausal period. Such a symptom implies a cumulative loss of more than 150 ml of blood during menstruation, while the norm is only 35 ml. The appearance of AUB in the perimenopausal period (abnormal uterine bleeding) is facilitated by a reduced supply of progesterone and estrogen in the blood circulation and abnormalities in the activity of the thyroid gland. Therapy for this condition is carried out simultaneously by several specialists: an endocrinologist, a gynecologist and a neuropathologist.
There may be several reasons for such a pathology:
- blood clotting problems;
- hormonal disruptions;
- ovarian cyst.
But most often, abnormal bleeding is provoked by uterine fibroids, endometrial dysplasia and arterial hypertension. But despite the initial causes, under any circumstances, metrorrhagia is a pathology that can lead to the development of a malignant neoplasm.
When AUB is detected during perimenopause, a woman needs to undergo a thorough examination, which includes blood collection for general analysis, ultrasound to determine the condition of the endometrium, and tissue sampling for histological examination.
Due to the causes of abnormal bleeding, the patient is prescribed medication or surgery. Conservative therapy most often involves the use of hormone-containing drugs, as well as hemostatic and uterotonic agents. Surgery usually involves scraping the uterine cavity.
In general, the choice of technique is determined by the age of the woman, her well-being, state of he alth and past pathologies. But in the perimenopausal period, surgery is most often recommended.
Identification of the problem
It is impossible to pinpoint exactly when a woman will experience perimenopause. In order for this phenomenon not to be taken by surprise, you should systematically, at least once every six months, visit a gynecologist. It is possible to prevent the development of various pathologies, including oncological ones, with the help of diagnostic measures:
- thoroughexamination on a gynecological chair;
- palpation of the mammary glands;
- blood test for hormones;
- gathering an anamnesis regarding the course of menstrual cycles;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- colposcopy of the vagina and cervix.
Therapy
Perimenopause itself is not a pathology, so there is absolutely no need to treat it. However, in fact, few of the women, when this unpleasant period sets in, are able to do without special medications. To eliminate the anxiety symptoms characteristic of perimenopause, you can use drugs that improve the psycho-emotional state, analgesics and other medications. Just do not forget that before using any means, you should consult a gynecologist.
Only a qualified specialist is able to determine the appropriate treatment regimen for each specific situation.
- Hormonal treatment. Hormone-containing preparations in the perimenopausal period contribute to the elimination of pathological imbalances in the body and thus improve the overall well-being of a woman. Replacement therapy with estrogen is recommended for almost every woman before the possible onset of menopause.
- Hemostatic treatment. If there is a risk of abnormal bleeding, to prevent excessive blood loss and the appearance of all kinds of diseases against this background, the gynecologist can prescribe appropriate medications, for example,Traneksam or Dicinon.
- Soothing therapy. Sedatives and sleeping pills can be used to eliminate excessive irritability, stress, anxiety.
- Psychotherapy. In some cases, a woman needs the use of special antidepressants, as well as the help of a qualified psychologist to normalize her emotional state.
- Vitamin therapy. Multivitamin complexes can improve the general condition of hair, skin, nails, and also more easily endure the hormonal changes that are characteristic of perimenopause. Often, a woman is prescribed a complex of multivitamins, but vitamins E, B, A, D, as well as folic acid are considered the most necessary among them at this time.
- Therapeutic diet. It is advisable to enrich your daily diet with foods rich in all of the listed vitamins. At the same time, it is also extremely important to refuse spicy, smoked and s alty dishes.
- Additionally, homeopathic remedies or herbal medicines are often used to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
Features of the treatment of perimenopause
In addition to the medicines prescribed by the gynecologist and other doctors, it is also worth remembering the importance of a he althy lifestyle. It is as easy as possible to endure such a difficult period and subsequent menopause with the help of simple measures:
- regular outdoor walks;
- moderate systematic physical activity that allows you to maintain a normalflow of metabolic processes;
- compliance with the daily routine and good sleep, lasting at least 8 hours, will help to quickly restore strength;
- no cigarettes and alcohol;
- replenishment of the daily menu with fresh fruits and vegetables, which will also enrich the weakened body with essential vitamins and trace elements;
- maintaining a normal water-s alt balance - consumption of at least two liters of pure water during the day is considered optimal, however, you need to be careful not to overdo it, because too much liquid can cause swelling;
- those who suffer from irritability and insomnia should pay attention to herbal decoctions and teas - they will help calm down, have a good rest, and also strengthen the immune system;
- maintain optimal weight.
Conclusion
Perimenopause - the period preceding menopause. Such a state inevitably overtakes every representative of the fair sex. Perimenopause is not a pathology, therefore, it does not require specific treatment. However, to alleviate the general condition of a woman and eliminate some unpleasant symptoms, doctors recommend using certain medications.
Equally important is a therapeutic diet. Smoked and too fatty foods, sweets and pastries should be excluded from the daily menu. In addition, you should limit the consumption of strong tea, coffee and s alt. As for drinks, it is advisable to givepreference for herbal decoctions, compotes, fruit drinks, freshly squeezed juices and, of course, clean water.
If a perimenopausal woman experiences abnormal uterine bleeding, she should immediately contact a specialist. This condition is considered extremely dangerous and requires immediate treatment. Usually, a woman in this case needs to be examined, after which she is prescribed either drug therapy or surgery.
The main symptoms of perimenopause include: irregular periods, hot flushes, breast hypersensitivity, decreased libido, hair loss, migraines and general malaise.
If a woman pays attention to the characteristic signs of this period in time, she will surely be able to easily endure such a difficult stage. Timely diagnosis and access to a gynecologist will help prevent possible complications and functional failures in the body.
