Perimenopause is defined as a time period preceding cessation of menstruation. Perimenopause lasts for 7 years on average but can have a duration of up to 14 years.
During perimenopause, many women experience symptoms associated with corresponding changes in hormone levels.
The perimenopausal stage may involve a range of symptoms. Some of these symptoms may continue or change when a woman reaches menopause. The most common and well-recognized symptom of perimenopause is a change in menstrual pattern, which may include irregular periods, lighter periods, shorter periods, longer periods, or heavier periods.
Additionally, some patients may experience menstrual bleeding for 1-2 days between their periods, with the period lasting for 3-5 days.
The drop in oestrogen that begins during perimenopause causes vasomotor effects, mediated through the hypothalamus (this part of the brain helps to regulate temeperature in outr brain).
Research suggests that patients may experience a narrowing of the thermoneutral zone, which contributes to feeling too cold or too hot, with physiologic responses to reach a neutral temperature by processes such as peripheral vasoconstriction and sweating. The sweat glands are not harmed by this process.
Does infertility lead to perimenopause?
For most women, the age at which they experience perimenopause is genetically determined. Medical conditions that may lead to infertility could also cause a person to experience early menopause, but infertility does not cause early menopause.
Does perimenopause symptoms and/or heart disease cause early menopause?
Vasomotor symptoms are common during perimenopausal years and after menopause, but they do not cause early menopause.
Additionally, women are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease after menopause, but heart disease does not cause early menopause or affect the timing of menopause.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Perimenopause in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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