Hormonal Health Concerns
Pre Menstrual Syndrome
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) covers the physical and emotional symptoms that occur towards the end of the menstrual cycle (usually 7-10 days before the period).
Common symptoms of PMS include:
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Anger
- Abdominal bloating and cramping
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Food cravings
- Cramping
- Weight gain
Perimenopause
The menopause transition, or perimenopause, refers to the time when hormonal changes in the body lead to physical symptoms. Periods may become irregular (although not always in the initial phases) and this transition period can last for 8 years or more.
For some women, it may begin as early as the mid-thirties, although many women are unaware of the transition until they reach their mid to late forties. There is strong evidence that this timing may closely reflect the age at which a woman’s mother went through the same transition.
However, it is impossible to predict the time and severity of menopause-related symptoms for any individual, and every menopause is unique. In addition, genetic and environmental factors strongly influence when a woman may enter the menopause.
Symptoms of Perimenopause:
- Irregular periods
- Mood swings
- Anger and irritability
- Periods that are heavier or lighter than usual
- PMS or worsening of PMS
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Heart palpitations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Weight gain
- Bloating
- Fluid retention
- Breast tenderness
- Aches and painful joints
- Frequent headaches
- Vaginal dryness
- Dry skin
- Low libido
Menopause
The term menopause describes women who have not experienced any menstrual flow for a minimum of a year. It is a natural transition which happens for every woman as she comes to the end of her fertile years. Although it can be a prolonged process, it is a perfectly normal one.
In a healthy woman, the body will gradually adapt to the change, although numerous factors associated with a modern lifestyle may influence this transition. Factors which may play a role include environmental toxins, poor nutrition, a lack of essential minerals and social and physical stressors.
During menopause the female reproductive hormones produced during the child bearing years begin to diminish. Although there is no longer a reproductive role, there is an important health-sustaining role for these hormones.
Symptoms of Menopause:
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Depression symptoms or Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or poor memory
- Urinary problems (recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence)
- Joint pains
- Vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse.
- Reduced libido