In the afternoon, Aunt Li sat in the small garden of the community, drinking tea and chatting with a few friends. The topic unconsciously turned to the problem of menopause in women.
Aunt Li suddenly thought of some of her recent physical changes, and she felt a faint uneasiness in her heart. It was at this time that she realized that these changes could be signals from her body that she might be approaching menopause. It made her want to know more about it.
1. Significant changes in the menstrual cycle
The physical changes in women before menopause tend to manifest themselves first in the menstrual cycle. Aunt Li noticed that the menstrual period that was originally punctual began to become irregular, and sometimes it only came once every two months, and the amount was also more and less, which made people scratch their heads.
This phenomenon, medically known as "premenopausal menstrual disorders", is caused by a gradual decline in ovarian function and an unstable secretion of estrogen and progesterone.
Specifically, as we age, the number and quality of eggs in a woman's ovaries decrease, and fluctuations in estrogen levels affect the normal cyclical changes in the endometrium, causing shortened or prolonged menstrual cycles or irregular bleeding.
These changes are the body's foreshadowing of the arrival of menopause and a health signal that women should be aware of. If menstrual changes are detected, it is advisable to have a timely gynecological examination and monitor hormone levels in order to better understand one's physiological state.
2. Frequent occurrence of hot flashes
In addition to changes in the menstrual cycle, hot flashes are another very common symptom of perimenopause and is a stage that almost every woman goes through.
Aunt Zhang, a friend of Aunt Li, once vividly described her hot flashes: "Sometimes I feel like I am being put in a microwave oven and spinning, and it is so hot that I can't sweat all over my body, especially at night, when I can't sleep." ”
This sudden sensation of heat and profuse sweating is due to a dysfunction of the thermoregulatory center caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels in the body.
The erratic estrogen levels affect the hypothalamus' temperature sensors, causing the body to mistakenly believe that it is in a state of overheating, which initiates a heat dissipation program – dilating blood vessels and sweating profusely.
Frequent hot flashes not only affect the comfort of daily life, but can also cause sleep problems, which in turn can affect mood and quality of life.
For these symptoms, gynecologists usually recommend appropriate treatments based on individual circumstances, including hormonal therapy or other alternative therapies.
At the same time, there are some daily routine adjustments that can help relieve hot flashes, such as avoiding spicy foods, keeping rooms ventilated, and choosing clothes that are breathable.
3. Increased mood swings
Mood swings during perimenopause are a common symptom for many women as they approach menopause. This mood swing may manifest as irritability, irritability, or a sudden depression.
For example, Aunt Li found herself overreacting to some trivial family issues lately, sometimes feeling tears for no reason, which left her confused and uneasy.
Behind these emotional changes is the physiological basis of hormone levels in the body. During the menopausal transition, the production of estrogen, the main sex hormone in the body, which plays an important role in regulating mood and maintaining mental health, begins to decrease.
Estrogen has a regulatory effect on neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which directly affect mood and mood. When estrogen levels fluctuate or drop, the balance of these neurotransmitters can also be disrupted, triggering mood swings.
In addition, a study published in the Journal of Menopause showed that a higher percentage of women in the menopausal transition showed depressive symptoms, further confirming the link between hormonal changes and mood swings.
Women are advised to pay more attention to their mental health during this period, seek psychological counseling or medical help if necessary, and maintain appropriate social activities and maintain a positive attitude towards life.
Fourth, the decline in sleep quality and psychological discomfort
As menopause approaches, many women experience a significant decrease in sleep quality. This sleep disorder usually manifests as difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakenings, early awakenings, or light sleep.
Aunt Li once complained that she often woke up at night recently, even if she was very tired, it was difficult to fall asleep again, and the next day she felt low energy, which affected her daily life.
The physiological roots of sleep problems are likewise related to hormonal changes. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone directly affect sleep quality, as these hormones play a key role in regulating sleep cycles and maintaining deep sleep.
Decreased estrogen levels, in particular, can affect the depth and duration of sleep, making women more susceptible to sleep disruptions. In addition, hot flashes and nighttime sweating can further affect sleep quality, resulting in nighttime awakenings.
To cope with these sleep problems, it is recommended to adopt some sleep-improving strategies, such as establishing regular sleep habits, creating a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment, and avoiding the use of electronic devices before bedtime.
In some cases, doctors may recommend low-dose hormone replacement therapy or other medications to help women relieve sleep disorders.
5. How to accurately identify premenopausal physiological signals
The physiological signs of premenopause tend to be varied, but there are a few telltale signs that can help women recognize earlier that they may be in this period of physiological change.
Recognizing these signals not only helps with mental preparation, but also allows for better management of the physical discomfort that may come with it.
One of the most intuitive signals is a change in the menstrual cycle. If menstruation may become irregular, the intervals may be lengthened or shortened, and the amount of bleeding may fluctuate.
In addition, hot flashes and nighttime sweating are two other common physiological signals. These symptoms are usually more pronounced at night and may cause sleep disruption. Mood swings and subtle changes in cognitive function, such as memory loss, are also common premenopausal.
Regular check-ups to check hormone levels in your blood can help confirm that you're premenopausal.
In addition, consulting a professional gynecologist to understand the relationship between your symptoms and menopause is also an important way to identify this stage.
Through these methods, women not only gain a better understanding of their health, but also take appropriate steps to prepare for the upcoming physiological changes.
6. Countermeasures and suggestions: how to relieve the discomfort of perimenopause
For the physical and psychological discomfort of perimenopause, taking some practical measures can go a long way towards alleviating these symptoms. First and foremost, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is fundamental.
Including a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate rest are all effective ways to reduce or delay menopausal symptoms. Exercise, in particular, has been shown to improve sleep quality, enhance mental health, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Secondly, psychological support is equally important. Joining a menopause support group and sharing ideas with other women going through similar stages can reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
In addition, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment that relieves menopausal symptoms by supplementing hormones, may be considered if necessary. Of course, this needs to be done under the guidance of a doctor, as it is not suitable for all women.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a quiet and comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding caffeine and large meals at night are all behavioral recommendations that can help improve sleep.
For mood swings, some mild antidepressants or natural supplements such as St. John's wort may help, but a doctor should be consulted before use.
summary
As we age, a woman's body goes through many changes, and menopause is just one part of it. While the physical and psychological changes that come with menopause can be inconvenient in life, by understanding the nature and causes of these changes, we can better prepare and cope.