Natural Alternative Solutions - Signs of Menopause

Hot Flashes? Night Sweats? Trouble Sleeping? All of these symptoms may be signs that your hormone levels are changing and you are going through Perimenopause.

Menopause is actually the end of the menstrual cycle. Skipping 12 periods officially confirms menopause. In addition there is a significant decline in ovarian functioning. Ovarian function continues to subside as certain landmark events take place. Ovulation ceases and with it the production and secretion of progesterone.

However, what about the signs and symptoms that women experience in the months and years leading up to menopause? The years before periods stop forever are called Perimenopause. Perimenopause is the interval between regular ovarian menstrual cycles and the cessation of ovarian function. The hormones of a woman’s menstrual cycle begin to shift out of balance during the Premenopausal (Perimenopausal) years and become more erratic during the following years.

Many women are surprised to learn that the perimenopausal phase can last as long as ten years with some women feeling symptoms as early as their 30’s. During this time, some periods may be heavier or lighter than others. Cycles begin to be irregular or to be skipped completely in some months.
Perimenopause is often marked by a wide variety of symptoms reflecting the body’s response to its changing hormone balance.

These symptoms can include:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Insomnia
Vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal area
Decreased libido (sex drive)
Anxiety, Anger, Mood Swings
Forgetfulness or “fuzzy brain” syndrome
Depression, feelings of despair
Vaginal and bladder infections
Short-term memory loss
Joint and muscle pain
Rapid skin aging & Loss of tone in breasts
Fatigue and heart palpitations
Shorter or longer menstrual cycles
Change of menstrual flow
Irregular periods

Dr. John Lee M.D. was the pioneer in advocating natural progesterone for women in Perimenopause and Menopause. He has written several books on the subject of “Estrogen Dominance” which occurs when your progesterone level falls as your body’s hormonal balance changes.

The signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance are (and, by the way you can have one or many of these): water retention, breast swelling, PMS mood swings, depression, loss of libido, heavy or irregular menses, weight gain and craving for sweets, and fat deposits on hips and thighs.

According to Dr. Lee, “supplementation with Natural Progesterone will alleviate most of these symptoms by increasing your body’s natural hormone balance. No matter how valuable estrogen is, when unopposed by progesterone, it is not something to be wholly desired in the female body. Many of estrogen’s undesirable side effects are blocked by progesterone.”

If suspect that you are in Perimenopause or have Estrogen Dominance the best way to find out is by having your hormones tested using a Saliva Test. You can find out more about Saliva Testing on this page: Saliva Hormone Testing.

You can also take the Hormone Balance Survey to see which products may relieve your symptoms.

We have gotten a lot of good feedback on Nature’s Precise Cream and Essential Support Treatment for symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause. If your symptoms include vaginal dryness you may want to try Essential Moisture Plus which has also gotten a lot of good reviews.