girl stuff

hi everyone-


i would like some advice. i'm 37 now. and i've had 3 children. i've always had fairly regular periods but about 6 months ago they started getting a bit erratic. eg. 2 per month. anyway i feel very emotional and run down. i've heard of the peri-menopause and wondered if this is it?

any help would be valuable to me.

thanks in advance...

For most women the first premenopause symptoms are usually experienced around the age of 40, for some women they can start in their 20s, but for a number of women around the age of 37 or 38.


It's not just erratic periods that are premenopause symptoms. Other symptoms include headaches, insomnia, aches in the body, tiredness, irritability, hot flushes, mood swings, a decreased sex drive, weight gain particularly around the abdomen and hips, breast tenderness, and water retention. Some women find their periods are lighter, others find their periods are heavier. You do have a few of these.


These symptoms are a sign that the ovaries are producing less oestrogen.


It is estimated that we are born with some 800,000 eggs (only about 400 will ever develop) but this number falls as we age. When a woman hits 37, there are only about 25,000 eggs left. After 37, the decline speeds up, so fewer follicles thus less oestrogen and lower fertility.


Perhaps bizarrely, as we age, instead of just one follicle maturing, groups of them do. That's why older women are more likely to have multiple births – so don’t think about throwing your birth control out just yet!


Women with premenopause symptoms usually have erratic periods for up to eight years before they stop.


I have to point out that just because your periods are erratic it does not necessarily mean you are in premenopause. It is always best to check things out with your doctor who can verify your hormone levels.


Your doctor will give you a physical exam and draw blood to rule out other conditions, such as thyroid disease. She may also check your estradiol levels and low levels (below 36) can indicate that your ovaries are starting to 'splutter'. The other important test is your FSH level which will be above 30 or 40 mlU/mL if you are in menopause.


BTW, find out at what age your mother, sisters, other close female relatives went through menopause; the doctor will likely ask and it will give an indication of a genetic predisposition to early or late menopause (the average age is 50 or 51).


Perimenopause cannot be stopped but the symptoms can be alleviated. The first step is to find a sympathetic doctor who will listen to your concerns.


Coincidently, here is a link to a recent CNN article about perimenopause.