Question about hot flashes...

[Werd]

I am aware of a period of time before fullblown menopause called perimenopause where some of the symptoms hit. What is the median age range for a female to hit this stage?

Technically, what IS a hotflash anyway?

I just feel waaaaaaaaay too young to be going through that.

I'll put this up on the women's board too.

 

[jenscats5]

Found this on the net. Don't know how much it'll help, but I'm wondering myself what will happen to me as I'll be 35 in July....

WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?

Perimenopause, or pre-menopause is a transitional stage of two to ten years before complete cessation of the menstrual period. Its average duration is six years, and can appear in women from 35 to 50 years of age. This has not been a stage of women's lives much talked about, and a woman can find herself experiencing puzzling changes, and not know why. What is actually going on is a gradual decrease of estrogen. The manifestations of perimenopause can vary. Here are some of the most commonly reported ones:

SIGNS OF PERIMENOPAUSE

The following are symptoms women have reported. This information is not intended as a substitute for talking with your health professional.

Menstrual cycles become shorter, longer, or unpredictable

Flow becomes heavier or lighter

Low blood sugar

Fatigue several days before menstruation

Weight gain

Decreased sex drive

Headaches - from mild to migraines with aura and visual distortions

Dry and/or itchy vulva, clitoris

Increased incidence of yeast infections

 

[Werd]

Nope, none of the above.

I'm past 35 and my cycles have always been light and eratic. Doc warned me several years ago that as I get older this would get worse so no surprizes there.

I want sex 24/7 and am ALWAYS wet. I have lost weight (due to GI illness).

I gotta go see my doc as I haven't seen him in waaaaaaay too long, but it's like everything else. Can't find the time and I would rather spend the money on something for my kids and me.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[stingray]

I seem to remember my sister being in her 40s when she complained about it.

 

[stingray]

I want sex 24/7 and am ALWAYS wet.

You arent my girlfriend then.

 

[danielson]

sweet...

i checked why i didnt know the machanism of the hot flush...turns out its not fully understood. i would venture its something to do with vasodilation and it being related to the deficiency of the oestrogen

maybe your entering the climacteric (i guess this is the peri-menopause in US doctor speak). its when the ovaries being to not respond so wellto the LH and FSH the pituitary gland is secreting. as such, FSH and LH levels would begin to increase...

why doint you see a gyny and ask, and maybe they would be willing to test these hormone levels..

average age for menopause is 51, and its premature if its below 40. go see a doc, whether its a GP or gyny and let him check you over if it has you worried

 

[Werd]

Yea, yea... I haven't been to my doc in a while. Funny once you're done having kids you don't care if your ovaries fall out. LOL

My ovaries have never functioned properly - which is "normal" for me. Have spent most of my reproductive years like a dog in heat - meaning I bleed infrequently and even when I do, it is "no thing". Doc told me while ago that this would get worse as I got older. I am too young I think for "per-menopause". My mother was a LOT OLDER when she went through it... She was above 50. I am mid 30's.

But it is a REALLY awful feeling. You go from 75 degrees to like 110 for no reason, start to perspire and actually pant like a freaking dog.

 

[danielson]

then maybe you should go to a doctor to see if its anything else, he may want to run more tests, TFT's etc just to play on the safe side

 

[megaman900lbs]

Go see an endo doctor and get your levels checked out, you may have PCOS

 

[bigstve12]

the herbs chasteberry and dong qui have been shown to help prevent the signs and symptoms associated with both pre and postmenopause. THey help to balance hormone levels