Perimenopause: The Beginning of Hormone Imbalance
When I had the last of my four children I was nearly 34 years old. I expected to have many years to get my body back in shape and enjoy life before any signs of menopause came along. But only a few years later, the first signs of perimenopause began.
Perimenopause is the first stage of menopause. It can last several years. Some women don’t even know they are in perimenopause. Their hormone imbalance symptoms are so vague, they don’t even realize what is happening.
Not so much with me. I started having signs of perimenopause at around 36 years of age. The first thing I noticed were the night sweats. There were probably other signs, but I was so fresh out of pregnancy (2 years) that I didn’t notice them.
I also didn’t consider the possibility of perimenopause because I was told I was TOO YOUNG TO BE IN MENOPAUSE.
Here are some signs to indicate that you may be in perimenopause:
* Irregular periods: Your periods may become more frequent, less frequent, heavier or lighter.
* Night sweats and hot flashes. You may awaken during the night with wet clothes and sheets. Or you may feel a flush of heat, especially in your face, during the day.
* Change in libido: The hormone changes in your body will effect your sex drive. Its not you , it’s not your partner, it is your hormone imbalance!!
* Moodiness: You’re laughing one minute and crying the next and have no idea why. This is another symptom of hormone imbalance.
* Weight gain: If you notice weight gain around your middle, even though you are conscious of what you eat, you are having a definite sign of perimenopause. Stress hormones cause confusion in your body and it begins storing fat which usually accumulates in the tummy area.
You may notice other symptoms as well, but these five are sure signs that your hormones are out of balance. See your doctor and insist on blood tests.
It is optimum for your levels to be in the middle of the normal range.
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