PERIMENOPAUSE
Perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time period during which a woman’s body makes its natural transition towards permanent infertility (menopause) or the cessation of the menstrual cycle in a woman in simple words. Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition. Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s.
The level of your estrogen — the main female hormone — rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don’t release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness.
The average length of perimenopause is 4 years, but for some women this stage may last only a few months or continue for 10 years. Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 months without having her period and is then referred to as a Menopause.
It is of immense importance that every women attempts to understand and accept the changes going on in her body and deal with this usually difficult period. The family also plays an important role with respect to the support, both physically and emotionally ,needed by a woman.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PERIMENOPAUSE?
Women in perimenopause experience at least some of these symptoms:
Hot flashes
Breast tenderness
Worse premenstrual syndrome
Lower sex drive
Fatigue
Irregular periods
Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
Urinary urgency (an urgent need to urinate more frequently)
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
ARE MY PERIMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS NORMAL OR SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT?
Irregular periods are common and normal during perimenopause. But other conditions can cause changes in menstrual bleeding. If any of the following situations are present along with perimenopausal symptoms, the cause should be ruled out.
Periods are very heavy, or they have blood clots.
Periods last several days longer than usual.
Spotting between periods.
Spotting after sex.
Periods happen closer together.
Causes of these symptoms include hormone problems, birth control pills, pregnancy, fibroids, blood clotting problems or, rarely, cancer.
Modern system of medicine has got the treatments like birth control pills, hormonal treatments which is very risky as these hormone tablets can cause tumors/cancer.
CONSTRAINTS OF MODERN MEDICINES IN MANAGING PERIMENOPAUSE
Modern system of medicine use drug therapies involving hormone therapy, antidepressants, birth control pills, which may prove very risky as they increase the risks of tumors/cancer in the patient. Moreover, these treatments are of a temporary nature and inadequate to handle the problems in a patient.
TREATMENT AT SVHRC : AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT!
The herbal scientists of SVHRC carried out extensive research in the field of herbal medicines for effective management of perimenopause. The research was perpetuated keeping in mind that a woman often faces life altering difficulties in this phase. The aim was to invent a medication that made it possible for a woman to sail through this phase without much trouble. After a lot of tests and analysis a medicine named ‘Menolene” was invented.
THERAPEUTIC ASPECT AND TREATMENT PROTOCOL
The duration of treatment in patients with perimenopause symptoms/problems varies depending on the patient, ranging from six months to two years. The treatment is decided to suit the conditions of each individual.
It is observed that prior to/during the menopausal phase; the BMR (Body Metabolic Rate) of the body declines which results in weight gain in the patient. The ability of the body to convert carbohydrates into energy is greatly affected and this leads to an increase in the formation and accumulation of fats in the body. Patients are therefore advised to take measures to increase the BMR so that sugar can be efficiently converted into energy. Doctors at SVHRC advise regular exercise such as walking, yoga, swimming etc to the patients. However, in cases where the weight gain is primarily due to perimenopause, patients are asked to take medicines given by doctors at SVHRC in addition to regular exercise. The herbal medications administered to patients by SVHRC have no side effects and are totally safe.
As in the case of other treatments at SVHRC, Patients suffering from perimenopause are advised to maintain a diet consisting of easy to digest foods. High amounts of oil and spices in food are discouraged. The doctors give necessary instructions to patients at the time of commencement of the treatment for maximum benefit.
CASE STUDY
The first patient of perimenopause successfully treated at SVHRC, was Mrs. Shanti (name changed). She came to SVHRC in February 2006 suffering from hot flashes, mood swings, severe acidity, bowel disturbance, depression, and trouble in sleeping. She was complaining of rapid increase in weight.
Many herbal combinations were tried on her, one of which started working. The nature and proportion of medication was finalized. The medicine was named ‘Menolene’ and treatment was continued. She was advised a regulated vegetarian diet. Also walking was advised. Very soon she started getting positive results. Acidity and mood swings started reducing. Treatment was continued for three months. Her symptoms reduced to a large extent.
It is found that in patients with perimenopausal symptoms/problems, the duration of treatment normally ranges from three months to a year depending on the patient.
SUCCESS STORIES
(Names have been changed)
A.M. ,Aged 43 years, Badlapur, Maharashtra
In the year 2015, A.M consulted the doctors at SVHRC after experiencing symptoms of severe mood swings, disturbed sleep and irregular menstruation. Her medication showed great results in 10 days. She continued herbal medicine “Menolene” for 5 months. After the treatment she was able to enjoy sound sleep and her mood swings were almost fully stabilized. She lives a normal happy life now.
S. D., aged 41 years, Mangaon, Maharashtra
In the year 2016, S.D consulted the doctors at SVHRC with symptoms like severe mood swings, hot flashes, sleep disturbance and acidity. Within one week of administering “Menolene” in the treatment there were positive changes in her sleep pattern and mood swings. She was given the herbal medicine for 6 months. Now she experiences sound sleep whereas hot flashes have reduced by 90% and mood swings by 95%.
V. N., Aged 42 years, Badlapur, Maharashtra
In the year 2014, V.N consulted doctors at SVHRC with symptoms like mental irritation, acidity, sleep disturbance and fatigue. After starting treatment at SVHRC, her symptoms gradually started reducing in 15 days. After six months of treatment, her sleep pattern was restored, her acidity reduced by 95% and mental irritation reduced by 85%.
V.S. aged 39 years, Kalyan Maharashtra
In the year 2014, V.S approached SVHRC with symptoms like severe mood swings, fatigue, mild depression and disturbed sleep. After taking the herbal medicine “Menolene” she started getting result in about 25 days, sleep disturbance reduced, mood swings also reduced. She continued treatment for 6 months after which her sleep disturbance reduced by about 85%, mood swings by 90% and fatigue by 85%.