Premenopause and menopause are both stages that every menstruating woman will eventually have to go through. Premenopause normally takes place when the menstrual cycle is nearing its end, and menopause takes place after the menstrual cycle has ended. In some cases menopause may come abruptly after a surgical operation which removes the ovaries (premature menopause).
Stages
Premenopause, also called perimenopause, is the stage that comes right before menopause begins. This stage lasts anywhere from two to eight years. Menopause occurs directly after this stage.
Symptoms
Premenopausal symptoms are irregular menstrual bleeding, night sweats, hot flashes and mood swings. Menopause symptoms are absence of menstruation, mood swings, night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and hair thinning.
Conception
During premenopause you still have a menstrual period, which means you can still become pregnant. Once you reach menopause and are no longer menstruating, you are no longer able to become pregnant.
Hormones
During premenopause, the hormone estrogen rises and declines sporadically, which cause menstruation to become irregular. In menopause the hormone estrogen declines to such a level that menstruation is no longer present.
Treatment
Treatment for premenopause focuses on regulating the hormone estrogen to restore menstrual regulation. This is normally done by using oral contraceptives. During menopause women are often given hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to reduce night sweats and hot flashes. In menopause menstruation cannot be restored.
Tags: hormone estrogen, night sweats, night sweats flashes, sweats flashes, become pregnant, During premenopause, menstrual cycle
