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Turning 40 is considered a milestone in a woman’s life because of the various changes she experiences within her. A significant change being the onset of perimenopause – a period of 8 to 10 years, when physiological changes begin displaying signs and symptoms of what lies ahead.
Perimenopause refers to the menstrual irregularities in a woman’s body due to hormonal changes which eventually lead to menopause – the end of menstruation. So, what are the few significant changes that women experience during perimenopause??
Symptoms of perimenopause:
Irregular periods:
Oestrogen plays a huge part in body weight, moods, sex drive, blood flow and memory, therefore, the decrease in its levels affect these to a great extent. Thus, during perimenopause, the changes in the production of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone cause the periods to become irregular.One finds a change in the flow, as well. Either the flow is heavy, or light, giving enough reason to distress over the unmanageable changes.
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Vaginal dryness:
The vagina loses its elasticity. The dryness caused during this period puts the vagina at a greater risk of urinary tract infections as well as low sex drive. The skin also loses its moisture and feels dry, and itchy, as does the scalp. Wrinkles begin to appear as well as dark spots. Hair starts thinning and some women experience scanty hair growth and eventually, baldness.
Mood swings:
One really can’t discuss mood swings enough, isn’t it? The volatile nature of our moods in this period can cause a lot of headache as well as heartache! Joy, sorrow, anxiety, fear, anger – the moods become so unpredictable! You never know what can trigger a foul mood and what can result in euphoria. Anxiety shoots at the drop of a hat. Dealing with these frequent mood changes can get very difficult, as can expressing the discomfort to family. Memory also gets affected because of these hormonal changes. Forgetfulness becomes a new companion, and it leads to many an embarrassing moment. Retaining the littlest of information can seem rather intimidating, at times.
?Changes in sleep cycle:
Perhaps, this is the second worst part of perimenopause! You start feeling drowsy so you lie down to sleep. But the moment you hit the bed, the sleep vanishes. Or, you wake up sometime in the middle of the night to visit the loo, and then it takes hours to go back to sleep again. You wake up either late, or feeling cranky and miserable.
Weight gain:
As you near your 40s, your metabolism begins to slow down resulting in gradual weight gain. You fail to notice any major difference initially, but slowly and steadily, you see the love handles appearing around your waistline, giving you some more sleepless nights. Dieting doesn’t help and you only keep piling the pounds, bit by bit.?
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Treatment of these symptoms, however, lies in our hands.
First of all, accepting this phase and embracing the change makes it less painful. Of course, it’s easier said than done! But, sharing your troubles with close friends, helps a lot. You all realise you are sailing in the same boat, and thus, aren’t alone.
Taking care of your diet is of key importance in facing the physical discomfort you go through. Including fresh green vegetables through salads, as well as fruits, nuts and whole grains helps keep the body well-nourished. Including enough dairy products helps in keeping the bones healthy. Staying well hydrated helps in tackling dryness, as does keeping the body well moisturised outwardly.
Including an exercise regimen becomes a necessity after a certain age (if one hasn’t been giving it the deserved attention already). Yoga, walking, or any other form of exercise that one can carry out comfortably in this age helps considerably. Exercise helps keep the joints supple, as well as the skin glowing and the internal organs in a good working condition.
40, as they say, is the time to be naughty! Your responsibilities towards your family undergo a change as children fly the nest and you are well-settled in your career. This makes it the best time to indulge in some form of activity – a hobby – to keep the body and mind agile. It also takes away the stress and brings in a lot of peace.
Enjoying this phase, accepting the changes and appreciating oneself is, I believe, the best way to deal with this phase. Moreover, with menopause, the body gets attuned to all these changes, and Life, as we knew it, gets back to normal!
Disclaimer: This post was written by our guest contributor. The content herein is owned by the blogger. Gympik is not responsible for any kind of infringement caused.
