Menopause is a progression and starts with “perimenopause”. Perimenopause can start in your mid to late 30s, or early 40s.
Hormones begin to change their normal patterns.
Progesterone levels fall as women aren’t ovulating every month. This means you don’t make as much progesterone. So there’s more estrogen (or "oestrogen" if you're from the UK).
Estrogen stimulates growth. It stimulates growth of the uterine lining, of the breasts.
This can lead to flooding periods and painful breasts and weight gain.
“Menopause” is a day that marks a year after your last period.
Common perimenopausal symptoms include new anxiety, new insomnia and weight gain. Fatigue, changes in periods.
Anxiety and insomnia can be attributed to low progesterone.
Erratic estrogen levels are responsible for flooding periods.
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