Perimenopause and mental health are related to each other, Perimenopause affects female hormones (estrogen) that make mood changes.
Feelings such as depression, stress, and anxiety during Perimenopause due to changing the level of estrogen hormones (rises and falls).
Do you know the meaning of perimenopause
It’s a condition that occurs in women between 40-50 years old and the period becomes irregular, it occurs before stopping monthly menstruation which is called menopause.
Perimenopause also called menopausal transition marks the end of the reproductive years, the women that have mood changes can’t understand what happened to them, they don’t bind between Perimenopause and mental health.
Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and sometimes the menstrual cycles begin and ovulation doesn’t occur.
Perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause
Perimenopause is the period leading to menopause, During this period women still get pregnant.
Menopause is the fall-stopped period for 12 months in a row and you can no longer get pregnant.
Post-menopause is the life after menopause and the phase lasts the rest of your life.
Perimenopause and mental health occur during it similar to disorders that occur during menopause.
What are the symptoms of Perimenopause
You may have menopause-like symptoms that affect every part of your body, You might experience some or all of these symptoms.
Physical symptoms
Irregular periods
The normal period occurs every 21-35 days and lasts 3-7 days.
The period considers irregular if:
- The time of the periods is longer than 35 or shorter than 21.
- The length of the period is more than 7 days or less than 3 days.
- You don’t have a period for three cycles at least.
Hot flashes
Hot flashes are related to Perimenopause and mental health, but it varies in intensity, frequency, and length.
Night-time hot flashes and sweats caused insomnia in menopausal women.
Vaginal and bladder problems
Low levels of estrogen decrease the blood supply to the vagina during menopause which makes the vaginal tissues lose lubricant and elasticity which make intercourse painful.
When the levels of estrogen decrease the infections increase to urinary and vaginal.
Decreasing fertility
Decreasing fertility happens due to irregular ovulation that decreases the conceiving ability.
Changing in sexual function
Decreasing the level of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone a sexual desire is decreased.
Loss of bone
Bone loss due to declining estrogen levels increases the risk of osteoporosis which cause fragile bones.
Changing cholesterol levels
Declining estrogen levels may lead to changes in blood cholesterol levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a decrease the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease.
Mental symptoms
Perimenopause and mental health appear in behaviors of women like:
Low mood and depression
The Women that get Perimenopause lost interest in some activities and lack sleep which leads to being irritable and angrier.
Anxiety and panic attacks
Panic attacks occur due to extreme anxiety, accompanied by sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and palpitations.
Loss of confidence
The women lose their confidence due to an increase or decrease in their weight and appetite.
Sleep problem
Hormone changes cause night-time hot flashes, night sweats, and disruption that make sleep more difficult for women.
How to protect your mental health through Perimenopause
- Lifestyle routines at home help to limit or decrease the symptoms of Perimenopause and mental health as:
- Regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and massage help to control stress and decrease depression.
- Eating whole-grain cereal, flaxseed, and chickpeas which are rich in phytoestrogens.
- During sex use a water-based vaginal lubricant to make it more comfortable.
- Eating cheese, yogurt, and spinach which are rich in calcium, or adding calcium supplements to protect bone from osteoporosis.
- It’s important to seek help from your doctor if you are struggling and have extremely heavy periods.
What is the best way to treat the signs and symptoms of Perimenopause
Treatment of Perimenopause and mental health concerns depends on signs and symptoms, it includes:
Medication
For mental health
Psychiatric symptoms are treated by anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication.
For physical symptoms
Hormone therapy
Systemic estrogen therapy comes in pills, skin patches, sprays, gels, or creams. Is the common treatment for Perimenopausal and menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.
Vaginal estrogen
You can administer estrogen through the vagina using vaginal tablets, rings, or creams.
Counseling
Psychotherapy treats emotional problems and mental health related to Perimenopause.
It helps the women by discussing feelings and managing depression, anxiety, and changes in mood by making group therapy.
Are there risk factors
Some factors make Perimenopause start earlier than normal like:
Smoking
The smoking women exposed to Perimenopause earlier than none smoked about 1-2 years.
Family history
Women with a family history of early menopause may experience earlier Perimenopause.
Cancer treatment
Treating with chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy has been linked to Perimenopause and mental health symptoms can be increased.
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a surgery that removes the uterus without ovaries or removes one ovary, it may cause Perimenopause and menopause earlier than average.
Conclusion
Perimenopause or menopausal transition is a period during which women suffer from changes in patterns of bleeding.
Also, the women complain of some mental and physical symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal and sexual changes, altered mood, and sleep.
So now you can understand the relationship between perimenopause and mental health and how to deal with it.
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