Premenopause Presents an Opportunity for a Preparation and Planning

Can preparation for menopause involve something more productive than anxiety or depression? Absolutely, and the opportunity for more positive, practical planning begins with premenopause.

Premenopause refers to the period of time in a woman’s life that spans from ten to fifteen or more years prior to the end of menstruation. On average, it starts in the late 30s or early 40s, but symptoms can begin to appear as soon as the 20s or as late as the early 50s. Millions of women experience premenopause and fail to recognize its symptoms.

What are the Signs?

Many symptoms of premenopause may affect a woman both physically and mentally. Some are obvious, while others occur subtly or are commonly overlooked. Some of the most common, unrecognized symptoms include:

• Allergy symptoms


• Aching muscles or back pain


• Leg cramping


• Dizziness or lightheadedness


• Headaches


• Incontinence


• Chronic fatigue


• Coldness in the hands or feet


• Ringing in the ears


• Shorter menstrual cycles

Other symptoms are commonly known to be menopausal, but may occur well in advance of its actual onset:

• Depression


• Hot flashes


• Breast tenderness or lumpiness


• Irregular periods


• Unusually heavy or light periods


• Mood swings


• Irritability


• Weight gain


• Vaginal dryness


• Loss of libido

Why So Many Symptoms?

Symptoms of premenopause are caused by fluctuating hormone levels. As the reproductive organs age, hormone production tends to decrease. The effects are far reaching and the number of symptoms reflects the variety of changes taking place.

What Should I Be Doing?

Premenopause can be a great time to prepare for full menopause. It is an opportunity to reevaluate lifestyle decisions and make changes that can result in a more positive experience of menopause.

Improvements in diet, starting an exercise program, and stopping smoking can all decrease the discomfort of menopause. Mental preparation is also beneficial. Doing some research on menopause and talking with friends or family members who have already experienced it firsthand can help you adjust gradually to this new phase in your life.

Depending on your health status, premenopause may also be an excellent time to begin using low-dose birth control products. Not only can they alleviate menopausal symptoms, they may reduce the risks of certain forms of cancer, as well. Many doctors prescribe low dose birth control pills just prior to menopause for symptom relief, to prevent risky pregnancies, or simply to initiate transition to HRT which may be of benefit later on.

Look to the Future

If you think you may be in the midst of premenopause, talk to your doctor or gynecologist about what you are experiencing. Talk to friends, your family, and your partner, too. Don’t be caught off guard by menopause when there’s an opportunity to prepare for the future. Meet this new phase in you life and all of its challenges and benefits head on. Be an active participant in your future health and wellness by getting involved with what’s happening today.