5 Trends About Treating Perimenopause You Should Know

Hormonal changes during perimenopause can be difficult to manage. Doctors recommend that women take estrogen and progesterone to help maintain their health, but this treatment comes with side effects such as mood swings, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. Fortunately, there are many other options for treating symptoms such as these without the use of hormones. In this article, we will discuss 5 trends about how you can treat perimenopause symptoms that you should know about.

Perimenopause Happens Overtime

Perimenopause is the time in one's life when menstruation stops. It typically occurs between age 40 and 60 but can happen at any age. Menopause is not an illness or disease, it is a natural process that happens to every woman as she gets older. For some women, menopause may occur before or after the typical range of ages, this phenomenon is called perimenopause, which just means around menopause.

Why Does Perimenopause Occur?

Perimenopause occurs when the body's ovaries stop releasing eggs, which means that menstruation stops. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including age and certain medical conditions. The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones, estrogen and progesterone are responsible for the regular shedding of the uterine lining. When these hormones decrease in production, this shedding slows down or stops altogether. This process typically starts around age 45-50 but may start at any point during life. Menstrual cycles usually last about 28 days while perimenopausal periods last between 12-18 months with heavy bleeding sometimes occurring before stopping completely.

5 Trends About Treating Perimenopause 

1. Hormone Therapy

The best way to treat all the symptoms of perimenopause is by balancing your hormones. Hormones are responsible for nearly every symptom you’re experiencing, so if one or more hormone levels are out of whack then it makes sense that you would experience these unpleasant feelings and physical changes. That’s why something as simple as making sure your estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol levels are in check can make a big difference. You should always consult with an experienced health care provider before starting any hormone therapy regimen because there may be other underlying issues causing your complaints besides just being postmenopausal.

2. Vaginal Estrogen

Vaginal estrogen is a way to treat vaginal dryness, burning, and itching. Vaginal moisturizers are good for the vagina but they do not contain any hormones that would replace the declining levels of estrogen in your body during perimenopause. Your physician can prescribe you vaginal estrogens in various forms depending on what works best with your individual needs. They come as creams, tablets, or rings inserted into the vagina once or twice a week. It may take several months before it starts working so be patient.

3. Antidepressants

One study showed that women using antidepressants had a higher risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Not only did they have more symptoms, but the depression was worse than before treatment. This is not to say you should stop your medication, it may be beneficial for some people in treating perimenopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes or mood swings. Just make sure you talk with your doctor about these risks first if possible (or consider switching brands). The same goes for hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills. Research says taking them could increase blood pressure slightly over time and again, there are many different types out there, so find one that’s best suited for you.

4. Gabapentin (Neurontin)

There is a medication called Gabapentin (Neurontin) which has been used to treat pain. For women going through perimenopause, research suggests this drug might be an effective treatment for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms too. The study found that the women who took gabapentin experienced less severe hot flashes than those taking placebo pills. In addition to helping with physical symptoms of perimenopause, it also helped improve sleep quality in these patients as well. So if you're having trouble sleeping at night because of your hot nights take a pill or two before bedtime so you can get some rest. Just don't forget about the risk of daytime drowsiness too.

5. Calcium And Vitamin D Supplements 

While these supplements are not meant to be a replacement for calcium and vitamin D found in foods, they may help women meet the recommended dietary allowance of 800-1000 milligrams per day. They can also provide additional benefits by helping reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances that often occur during menopause.

The 5 trends about treating perimenopause that we’ve discussed today should give you a good idea of the options available to deal with this difficult period in your life. If you are looking for more information, or have any questions or concerns, please call us today. We would be happy to offer our expert advice on how best to go forward with dealing with your changing hormones during these years. Don't hesitate, call now and let's get started improving your quality of life through better hormone balance.