The peri-menopause is the preliminary stage of the menopause, the period in time before the final menstrual cycle. In this page, our menopause expert Eileen Durward determines the underlying indicators of the peri-menopause and offers a range of herbal solutions to ease each individual symptom.
The peri-menopause can be thought of as the first stage of the menopausal phase in a woman’s life and is the time before and around the final menstrual period.
Medically, it starts when the first menopausal symptoms are noticed and ends a year after the last menstrual bleed, or the point in time when menopause has been reached.
The term ‘peri-menopause’ is not often used. Women experiencing symptoms usually refer to being ‘menopausal’ or ‘going through the menopause’.
As a woman becomes older, there comes a point when production of the female hormones driving the menstrual cycle starts to decline. This process means that eventually, no more eggs will be released by the ovaries each month - it is Nature’s way of saying that, at this age, the woman is less likely to carry a healthy baby and that her reproductive life should come to an end.
Typically, this process begins in the mid-forties and as hormones fall, an imbalance between oestrogen and progesterone can occur.
Menstrual periods become irregular, heavier or more uncomfortable. Other physical and psychological symptoms may be experienced – some women may describe these as being similar to PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).
A wide variety of symptoms can be experienced during the peri-menopause. These are generally the same as the symptoms present during the other stages of the menopause.
However, a few symptoms are more frequently encountered during the peri-menopause. These include:
At the start of peri-menopause, these symptoms may worsen in the week or so before each menstrual period and feel like PMS.
Women in the peri-menopause can also experience hot flushes and night sweats, whether or not they are still having their monthly menstrual bleed.
In addition, the peri-menopause can also give rise to muscle pain and joint pain. These are usually confined to the upper part of the body and described as neck pain or shoulder pain.
As the peri-menopause is a normal stage a woman has to go through in life, many prefer to treat symptoms experienced using natural medicines. A number of herbs which can be of help:
In general, doctors will be reluctant to use prescription medicines for the peri-menopausal. However, if symptoms are severe and starting to interfere with quality of life, a number of classes of medicine may be suggested.
Hormonal treatments include the low-dose oral contraceptive to treat PMS-like symptoms, or HRT (hormone replacement therapy). In addition, anti-depressants or sedatives may be needed for those suffering depression, anxiety or insomnia.
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Learn moreYou won’t get the menopause the minute you turn 50! The average starting age is actually between 45 and 55 and it can often depend on a number of factors including hereditary, weight and health, however every single woman will have an individual menopause.
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Michelle Taylor — 15.03.2018 15:45
I keep having a heavy feeling in abdomen comes and goes I’ve had ultra sound at it was normal ! Can this be another sighn of peri ? I have an app nxt month as I have a prolapse that causes problems with me emptying my bowels ! Joys of being 50 ! It seems I have something different every other month ! This month is a cramps feeling in lower abdomen dosemt help that I have health anxiety and have gone bk on meds for it been on them 4 weeks now
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eileen — 16.03.2018 15:14
Hi Michelle
The menopause can cause bloating and general abdominal discomfort, it is always best to get this checked out so glad to hear that you are getting this done. A prolapse is quite common in the menopause, you may find Pilates can help with this, if you find an experienced practitioner they can teach you specific exercises that may help. Magnesium can often help with cramps so you could try 200mg twice a day with food, this is also good for anxiety and stress!
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Angela — 02.01.2018 20:57
I'm looking forward to starting the trial as I'm always in pain.
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Carol Green — 06.11.2017 00:27
I was 47 years old in May. Since then I have had erratic periods, occasional hot flushes, I cry over the slightest little thing. I've noticed an outbreak of spots on my face and chest and I was diagnosed with positional vertigo at the end of August. Could these be perimenopausal symptoms?
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eileen — 06.11.2017 14:18
Hi Carol
Yes, these are all possible peri-menopause symptoms, usually caused by falling oestrogen. You may find a magnesium supplement 200mg and a vitamin B Complex 50mg can help to ease the low mood and plain water is so good for the skin so remember to drink loads over and above your other drinks. The herb Ginkgo Biloba is known to ease vertigo so worth trying for a month or so to see if it will help.
https://www.avogel.co.uk/herbal-remedies/ginkgo-biloba/index.php
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