Perimenopause Q & A

1. Is there a medical test that I can take that will confirm if I'm perimenopausal?
   Yes. Your doctor can take a blood test and measure your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). When your ovaries slow down the production of hormones your FSH levels starts to rise. Different levels of FSH will indicate which stage of menopause you are in.



2. What's the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
   Perimenopause is the body's preparation time frame for menopause and starts approximately seven to ten years before menopause. Most women experience menopause between the age of 45 and 55, and the average age for menopause is 52 years.



Sponsor Links [what's this?]
perimenopause Information and Services
hot flashes menopauseExclusive Website Devoted to hot flashes menopause.Menopause.GreatWellBeing.com
Are You in Perimenopause?Take our online assessment. It's easy, informative and free.www.womentowomen.com
Peri-Menopausal? Try Olivia's SecretThis natural herbal therapy relieves symptoms of menopause and PMS without side effects - hot flashes, night sweats, bloating, mood swings and more. Physician-formulated. Safe and effective.www.oliviasecret.com
3. Can heart palpitations be a symptom of perimenopause?
   Yes it can. As you come to the end of perimenopause, and move deeper into actual menopause, you may start to experience hot flashes. Heart palpitations can be caused by hot flashes.



4. I'm 46. Up to now I've slept like a baby. Now, I'm awake for a few hours every night. Am I perimenopausal?
   Change in sleep patterns tend to show up as perimenopause unfolds and you get closer to actual menopause. Sleeplessness is associated with your hormonal changes. It occurs when there is too much estrogen relative to progesterone in the body.



5. Do all women experience menopause in the same way?
   No. Menopause experiences are different among individual women, and also among women in different cultures, and in different parts of the world. Research has shown that women's experience of menopause can be related to many things including: genetics, diet, lifestyle and social and cultural attitudes toward older women. For more information on Menopause and Perimenopause please click the links above.