Menopause.

Perimenopause is the transition stage that typically begins after age 40, when the ovaries’ function begin to decline gradually over a few years until menopause is reached. The gradual drop in hormone production by the ovaries (mainly estrogen, progesterone & testosterone) will cause periods to become more irregular, and menopausal symptoms may start to present. Peri-menopause is a good time to start natural menopause treatment, so that the transition to post-menopause (when your periods have stopped for good) is smooth and symptom-free.

Menopause is a normal and natural biological process during which your reproductive hormones decrease, your ovaries stop producing eggs, and eventually your periods end. When a woman does not have their period for 12 months in a row, they are officially in menopause. The average age of menopause occurs at about 51 years old, but may occur years earlier or years later.

The adrenal glands are a key contributor to the rocky hormonal transition that leads to menopausal symptoms. These glands also produce progesterone and estrogen to a lesser degree than do the ovaries. If the adrenals “pick up the slack” during peri-menopause, the transition to menopause becomes much smoother, with less problematic symptoms.

Unfortunately, the adrenal glands are often pre-occupied with helping our bodies manage chronic stress. The more they have been depleted and taxed producing stress hormones, the less they will be able to produce beneficial levels of progesterone and estrogen. This prevents them from being able to provide some compensation for the ovaries shutting down, which manifests as menopausal symptoms.

Every woman’s journey is unique, so these symptoms may vary in intensity, and can last for 5-6 years!