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Re: PerimenopauseFrom: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)Fri, 30 May 1997 11:07:49 -0500 (CDT)
At Wed, 28 May 1997, Kelly wrote: > >At Wed, 28 May 1997, Suzan wrote: >> >>Could you please explain the term perimenopause and what the symptoms >>are?? I am 42 and just started to experience mood swings, hot flashes, >>nervousness that start about 5 days before my period and lasts about 5-6 >>days through my period. My Dr tested my FSH and said it is normal. I >>am presently considering OC since I have never had these symptoms before >>. Any suggestions?? >> >>Thanks >>Suzan > >"Perimenopause" is the time around menopause, generally meant to mean >the variable period of time before technical menopause (lack of >menstrual periods for one year). During this time estrogen levels are >beginning to decline and ovulation becomes more sporadic. > >There are as many symptoms as there are women to experience them. >Irregular cycles, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, irritability, and >depression are common. Oral contraceptives are an excellent choice to >treat the symptoms -- they provide estrogen support as well as >contraception, regulate the cycles and are easy to take. Low dose >hormone replacement therapy is another option if there is not a need for >contraception. Various "natural" remedies like black cohash may also >help. > >-- >Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG >S. Lake Tahoe, CA Talented and lovely Dr. Shanahan (get a load of the picture in her California OBGYN.net rep page ;-) ) is right, as usual. I'd just like to add one thing. Although what you complain about can be ascribed to perimonopausal changes, it may also be.......and I truly hate the term, PMS. Classic timing (age: late thirties to early/mid forties) for many symptoms such as you describe coming around the mensrual cycle can be "PMS" and to a much less chance, thyroid irregularity. The fact that it does not clear immediately with the period does not change the possibility. You don't have to want to "kill someone" or have breast tenderness bad enough to "kill" to have PMS. There are many variations on the theme. I remember reading in the late 1970s about a girl in Israel who went blind in one eye prior to her period and regained sight with menstruation. Not what you'd normally expect! What I normally recommend (if not for you then for others who wish to consider PMS as a problem they have) is: Diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein, fat, salt & sugar. No caffeine (if heavy user, decaffeinate over a two week period or *you'll be sorry*) and no alcohol (questionabel data). B-6 100mg twice a day every day (questionable data, but at that dose it can't hurt...maximum 200mg per day......higher doses can cause reversible peripheral neuropathy) and most important........aereobic exercise (anything aerobic, not just "aerobics") 30-40 minutes 4-5 times a week. Even without PMS this is probably a healthier way to live than most people follow. Good luck and give us some follow up on how you'r doing. In addition to everything Kelly has written,
-- Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York Great Neck, New York http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm http://www.obgyn.net/women/heroes/harveym.htm
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