The Hormonal Imbalance: Hormones Gone Wild
It is safe to say that the main root of all the symptoms of perimenopause is hormonal imbalance. As mentioned earlier, there are two types of sex hormones found in our bodies and produced by the ovaries: Estrogen (usually produced in, but not limited to the ovaries) and progesterone (produced in the ovaries, the placenta and the adrenal glands; also prepares the body for conception and pregnancy).
During perimenopause, both estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, creating a big impact on the reproductive system. This imbalance causes a woman to experience irregular menses (because less estrogen means less stimulation for the lining of the uterus), which in turn, directly affects fertility, mood and sexual desire, even body temperature.
Two types of imbalances can possibly occur. One would be an estrogen dominance – this is the more common imbalance experienced. The second one would be a deficiency of estrogen. Either of the two creates a condition of hormonal imbalance – this imbalance will fire-off warning bells and throw the other hormones out of whack – the perfect setting for perimenopausal symptoms to manifest. So, when a 40-ish woman is in a foul mood, the people around her usually blame it on her hormones – and they are usually right.
Estrogen and Progesterone in Perimenopause
In the regular menstrual cycle, estrogen is produced for the first 10 to 12 days. When it’s time to ovulate, the body will send signals for progesterone to be produced. It will then stop producing both hormones, signaling the occurrence of menstruation. If the woman has conceived, progesterone then supports the endometrium as it receives the fertilized egg … and 9 months later, a baby is born.
In the usual cases of perimenopause, the woman produces estrogen, but produces less progesterone, therefore creating the imbalance. If you missed a cycle, it means that no progesterone was produced. The woman will now have an estrogen dominance, which in turn may lead to some, if not all, of the following symptoms (linked to perimenopause):
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Irregular menstrual flow.
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Mood swings (such as depression and irritability).
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Hot flashes.
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Night sweats.
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Insomnia.
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Fibrocystic breasts.
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Anxiety attacks.
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Fatigue.
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Hair loss or increase in facial hair.
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Urinary incontinence.
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Increased urinary tract infections.
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Breast tenderness.
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Increase in cholesterol levels.
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Unexplained weight gain, specifically around the midsection.
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Uterine fibroids.
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Short-term memory loss.
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Loss of focus and concentration.
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Possible breast/endometrial/uterine cancer.
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Thyroid dysfunction.
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Low sex drive.
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The start of osteoporosis (due to depletion of bone density – osteoporosis is usually diagnosed in later life, at the onset of menopause itself).
Treatments for the symptoms will be discussed in other sections of this site.
Next Article: Is Early Perimenopause Possible or Am I Pregnant?
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