As medical spas continue to delve into the wellness funnel, some medical spas kick off hormone replacement treatment plan for their clients.

Let’s talk about perimenopause, a period of time that precedes menopause and is marked by hormonal changes that can cause symptoms which can vary from mood swings to yes, even hot flashes. Perimenopause is completely normal, it’s just something that happens with age.

Perimenopause; What is it?

Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause. Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her reproductive system stops working. During perimenopause, your ovaries make less estrogen and progesterone, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.

Perimenopause lasts anywhere from 6 to 10 years on average but can start as early as age 35 or as late as 55; there are no hard-and-fast rules about when it begins or ends–it’s different for everyone! Some women may not even know they’re going through perimenopause until they get their first period after stopping birth control pills (which can trigger irregular menstrual cycles).

Managing your natural hormones

The ovaries are the female reproductive organs. They produce eggs, which are released into the fallopian tubes. The ovaries also produce estrogen and progesterone, hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. A decrease in progesterone is also linked to hair loss.

As you approach menopause, your ovaries release fewer eggs and produce less progesterone and estrogen. This can cause hot flashes as well as other symptoms like night sweats, sleep problems or vaginal dryness.

As medicine continues to evolve, there are a few ways to mitigate this. Many medical spas are making treatment part of their new acquisition plan and have created bio stations to address hormone replacement therapy. This treatment entails bloodwork to identify the gaps and create protocol to supplement those numbers. While this does not prevent perimenopause, it does smoothen the transition and soften symptoms.

Combat Symptoms

Perimenopause is a normal part of aging. It occurs when your body’s hormone levels change and ovulation stops, which can happen years before you reach menopause.

Perimenopause symptoms are not always the same for every woman and may include:

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Mood swings and depression
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight gain or loss

Another way to manage perimenopause and even menopause is strength training. By that, I mean looking towards pilates and lifting weights. Both exercises boost testosterone and release endorphins that creates additional dopamine, which also decreases during perimenopause. This helps treat mood swings and weight gain associated with perimenopause.

Perimenopause Sets In

Perimenopause can happen any time between the ages of 35 and 54. Some women experience perimenopause at an earlier age than others and others experience it later. Perimenopause may last anywhere from a few months to several years. The average is about 5 years, but timeframes vary.

To cope with this roller coaster ride, talk to other women. Everyone has unique symptoms based on their bioindivideal needs and several insights. Supplementation, while an option, is great if the right bloodwork has been conducted and properly diagnosed. Self supplementation is often popular but often does not fully address the symptoms that might ail you. Seek professional guidance.